Canon has unveiled the EOS 500D (Digital Rebel T1i), the latest addition to its compact DSLR series. The upper-entry-level camera features a 15.1 MP APS-C CMOS sensor with 1080p HD video recording at 20fps. It also offers a 3.0 inch LCD with 920,000 dot resolution and an ISO sensitivity range expandable up to 12800 equivalent. It includes a faster Digic 4 processor offering better noise reduction at higher ISO’s and continuous shooting speeds of up to 3.4 fps delivering 170 large JPEG images in a single burst. [youtube:5ivHmoj-qzY;[link:canon eos rebel t1i];http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ivHmoj-qzY&feature=related]

Other features come to the Canon T1i from the 50D, including the Peripheral Illumination Correction and multiple noise reduction settings. Auto Lighting Optimizer and Highlight Tone Priority were already brought over with the XSi, but Creative Auto is now included, a unique mode that endeavors to bring creative control to the amateur shooter.

Movie mode comes to the Rebel T1i with quite similar capabilities to the Canon 5D Mark II, though it’s highest complete HD resolution is 720p at 30fps. It can capture 1080p videos, but only at 20fps, which isn’t technically fully up to spec. Standard 640×480 movies are also available at 30fps. You can manually focus or autofocus via contrast detect by pressing the Canon T1i’s rear AE/AF-Lock button.

Controls and body styling are nearly identical (differences are broken down in the User Report below); the main changes are internal. The Canon T1i’s new sensor is ever slightly larger at 22.3 x 14.9mm compared to the 22.2 x 14.8mm measurement of the XSi’s sensor, but the bigger change is the new sensor’s high ISO capabilities, running from 100 to 3,200, with two expanded settings: 6,400 and 12,800.

Canon’s new DIGIC 4 processor handles the larger 4,752 x 3,168 at a slightly reduced speed of 3.4 frames per second (at 1/500 second or greater — down from the XSi’s 3.5 fps), with a maximum JPEG burst of 170 frames or 9 RAW frames. You can also now capture RAW images in all of the Canon T1i’s modes, whether Basic or Creative Zone. The Canon T1i’s 3-inch LCD is a 640×480 design with 920,000 dots, making for a noticeably sharper onscreen image, great for focusing and confirming sharpness after capture. The Canon T1i is the first Rebel to have such a high-res screen.