I've been using the latest Canon Digital Rebel for 3 months now.  The features that especially stand out are:

• 12 megapixels for the same price as all the other new Rebels.
• The camera's size is about the same as the last couple of Rebels. Even though there are new features that take up more room, like the larger sensor, the smaller battery and smaller media allow for it without a significant increase in the body size.
• Easily adjustable ISO settings while looking through the viewfinder.
• The largest LCD screen yet on the Rebel.
• The new SDHC (high capacity) media card format. I'm using a 4GB SDHC card and find it will hold over 200 RAW files or 500 full size JPEGs.  I've ordered an 8GB card for $40. Remember, if you have an SD reader that is pre-2008, it probably won't handle the high capacity format. I had to get a reader for the new format ($30).
• Image Stabilization built-into the stock 18-55mm lens.

There's one feature I haven't really used yet. The big technological advancement is the Live View, standard on any point & shoot digital camera but not on digital SLRs. It allows you to see what you are shooting by looking at the LCD screen instead of the viewfinder. But, unlike a compact digicam, on a digital SLR it is one or the other.  In order to have Live View on the LCD screen, the mirror is locked in the up position so the image sensor can see through the lens. When the mirror is down, only the viewfinder is looking through the lens as is typical with any SLR.

The focus does indeed seem to be faster and the image quality is, as always, very good. We've had too much going on to sit down and really compare it to the images from the older models. The fact is, this camera is my primary shooting camera for our publications and it is doing a great job.

Author in studio with Canon EOS Digital Rebel Xsi.

The verdict: Love it.

Mike