Skinn...@hotmail.com wrote:

You should be getting very nice sharp 8 x 12 inch prints from the
Digital Rebel, so unless you want to print larger then that there is
little need to upgrade, IMO.

If you like to make larger prints, like say 12 x 18 then the XTi would
be capable of producing noticeably sharper prints.

The only other reason to get the higher MP camera that I can think of
is if you want to be able to do a bit more cropping, which can be a
plus depending on what kind of shooting you are doing.

Scott

Yes larger perhaps less noise with newer- no more definition though.

   For most of us mere mortals, there will be very little difference.
Other than money there is little to loose, but in real life for most people
there is little to gain.  You can still make larger than 8x10 prints, but in
the larger ones the larger sensor may produce a better result as it is
likely to do under very low light conditions.

   Personally I plan on living with my 20D for some time yet.  Maybe a
couple of more generations. Sort of like new computers or operating systems.
I give them a couple or more generations of changes before I spend the
money.

As an owner of 6mp and 10mps sensor dSLRs I can succinctly state the
technical advantage of the larger sensor-- none for all practical purposes.
Even less if you do not frequently, and I mean frequently, print larger than
8.5x11 sheets.
The satisfaction of buying a new toy: priceless.
When they make a sensor with larger dynamic range so that you do not have to
resort to raw processing tricks then that would be a significant and
worthwhile upgrade.
However new camera features may make sense if you need a rationalization for
buying a new toy. It is not clear how effective the sensor cleaning function
of the XTi is but if you find dust bunnies a problem when you switch lenses
. . . well, there's a good excuse for buying one.

Skinn...@hotmail.com wrote:

Random grepping of the net reveals that sizeof(Digital Rebel sensor) ==
sizeof(Rebel XTi sensor).  Since the XTi has more pixels ("TEN
MULTI-FREAKING-DIMENSIONAL SPACE-TIME MEGA
PIXELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"), it follows the pixels are smaller.
Unless the read-noise situation has improved with the XTi, the upgrade
isn't.

Now, isn't it easier to just listen to the voices in your pillow?  The
guys at Canon have families too, you know.

My big question to you is what are you not satisfied with in your current
images? If you have no answer to this which is addressed in the next
version camera, you have absolutely no logical reason to upgrade.

Sure it's a little better, but it too will be obsolete soon enough.
Like you, I'm pretty happy with an older D-Rebel. I'm sitting out
minor upgrades, saving up for a big one.

If, as you say, the DRebel is giving you everything you want, why
upgrade?
That you are still "feeling he need to upgrade" tells me the DRebel
just isn't floating your boat as much as it did when new. OK, there's
nothing wrong with that.
For most of us who aren't pros, photography is a hobby; we are
invested in it to one extent or another.
But, in my opinion, grown-ups call their toys "hobbies." Whether their
toys are boats, cameras, clay, paint, radios, kitchen utensils,
whatever, doesn't matter: they are toys. Hobbies provide enjoyment.
That's what they are for. Just like what we call toys when kids play
with them.
If a newer camera will give you more enjoyment, go for it.
Being honest, that's why I replaced my DRebel with a 30D; I don't need
the extra 2MP; the larger LCD is nice, the faster turn-on time is
great, but at the end of the day, it makes my photography hobby more
enjoyable.

:-)