Canon XS vs T7
The Canon EOS Rebel XS (called Canon 1000D in some regions) and the Canon EOS Rebel T7 (labelled Canon 2000D in some countries) are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in June 2008 and February 2018. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The XS has a resolution of 10.1 megapixels, whereas the T7 provides 24 MP.
As their names suggest, both the Canon EOS Rebel XS and the Canon EOS Rebel T7 belong to Canon's Rebel line of DSLR cameras. This range of APS-C cameras, which started out with the Canon EOS Digital Rebel in 2003, has been a big commercial success and the backbone of Canon's dominance in the digital camera market. The popularity of the Rebel cameras is the result of them inheriting much of the sensor and shooting technology from earlier released professional DSLRs, while being sold at a much more budget-friendly price point. The strong brand reputation of Canon and the comprehensive EOS system of compatible lenses and accessories further contributes to the appeal of the Rebel cams, including the Canon XS and Canon T7. Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.
Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS Rebel XS and the Canon EOS Rebel T7? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.
Body comparison
An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon XS and the Canon T7 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon T7 is notably larger (6 percent) than the Canon XS. However, the T7 is markedly lighter (5 percent) than the XS. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the XS nor the T7 are weather-sealed.
The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses. You can compare the optics available in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.
Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon XS | 126 mm | 98 mm | 65 mm | 502 g | 500 | n | Jun 2008 | 449 | ebay.com | |
2. | Canon T7 | 129 mm | 101 mm | 78 mm | 475 g | 500 | n | Feb 2018 | 449 | amazon.com | |
3. | Canon 40D | 146 mm | 108 mm | 74 mm | 822 g | 750 | n | Aug 2007 | 1,299 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon 77D | 131 mm | 100 mm | 76 mm | 540 g | 600 | n | Feb 2017 | 899 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon SL2 | 122 mm | 93 mm | 70 mm | 453 g | 650 | n | Jun 2017 | 549 | ebay.com | |
6. | Canon SL3 | 122 mm | 93 mm | 70 mm | 449 g | 1070 | n | Apr 2019 | 599 | amazon.com | |
7. | Canon SX20 | 123 mm | 88 mm | 87 mm | 600 g | .. | n | Aug 2009 | 399 | ebay.com | |
8. | Canon T1i | 129 mm | 98 mm | 62 mm | 520 g | 400 | n | Mar 2009 | 799 | ebay.com | |
9. | Canon T3 | 130 mm | 100 mm | 78 mm | 495 g | 700 | n | Feb 2011 | 449 | ebay.com | |
10. | Canon T5 | 130 mm | 100 mm | 78 mm | 480 g | 500 | n | Feb 2014 | 449 | ebay.com | |
11. | Canon T6 | 129 mm | 101 mm | 78 mm | 485 g | 500 | n | Mar 2016 | 449 | ebay.com | |
12. | Canon T100 | 129 mm | 102 mm | 77 mm | 436 g | 500 | n | Feb 2018 | 399 | amazon.com | |
13. | Canon XSi | 129 mm | 98 mm | 62 mm | 524 g | 500 | n | Jan 2008 | 799 | ebay.com | |
14. | Canon XTi | 127 mm | 84 mm | 65 mm | 556 g | 370 | n | Aug 2006 | 799 | ebay.com | |
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The two cameras under review were launched at the same price and fall into the same market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.
Sensor comparison
The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.
Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the T7 is 1 percent bigger. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.6. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.
Technology-wise, the T7 uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 4+) than the XS (DIGIC 3), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.
With 24MP, the T7 offers a higher resolution than the XS (10.1MP), but the T7 has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.72μm versus 5.71μm for the XS). Yet, the T7 is a much more recent model (by 9 years and 8 months) than the XS, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units.
The resolution advantage of the Canon T7 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the T7 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon XS are 19.4 x 13 inches or 49.4 x 32.9 cm for good quality, 15.6 x 10.4 inches or 39.5 x 26.3 cm for very good quality, and 13 x 8.6 inches or 32.9 x 21.9 cm for excellent quality prints.
The Canon EOS Rebel XS has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 800, which can be extended to ISO 100-1600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS Rebel T7 are ISO 100 to ISO 6400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-12800.
Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.
For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.
Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon XS | APS-C | 10.1 | 3888 | 2592 | none | 22.0 | 10.9 | 719 | 62 | |
2. | Canon T7 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/30p | 23.8 | 13.3 | 1684 | 81 | |
3. | Canon 40D | APS-C | 10.1 | 3888 | 2592 | none | 22.1 | 11.3 | 703 | 64 | |
4. | Canon 77D | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 23.6 | 13.3 | 971 | 78 | |
5. | Canon SL2 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 23.6 | 13.4 | 1041 | 79 | |
6. | Canon SL3 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/25p | 23.9 | 13.4 | 1791 | 82 | |
7. | Canon SX20 | 1/2.3 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 720/30p | 19.2 | 10.5 | 225 | 37 | |
8. | Canon T1i | APS-C | 15.1 | 4752 | 3168 | 1080/20p | 21.7 | 11.5 | 663 | 63 | |
9. | Canon T3 | APS-C | 12.2 | 4272 | 2848 | 720/30p | 21.9 | 11.0 | 755 | 62 | |
10. | Canon T5 | APS-C | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 21.9 | 11.3 | 724 | 63 | |
11. | Canon T6 | APS-C | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 22.0 | 11.7 | 781 | 66 | |
12. | Canon T100 | APS-C | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 21.9 | 11.4 | 695 | 63 | |
13. | Canon XSi | APS-C | 12.2 | 4272 | 2848 | none | 21.9 | 10.8 | 692 | 61 | |
14. | Canon XTi | APS-C | 10.1 | 3888 | 2592 | none | 22.1 | 11.0 | 664 | 62 | |
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. |
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The T7 indeed provides for movie recording, while the XS does not. The highest resolution format that the T7 can use is 1080/30p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The XS and the T7 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (95%), but the viewfinder of the XS has a higher magnification than the one of the T7 (0.51x vs 0.50x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon XS and Canon T7 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.
Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Max Shutter Speed * |
Max Shutter Flaps * |
Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon XS | optical | n | 2.5 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
2. | Canon T7 | optical | n | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
3. | Canon 40D | optical | Y | 3.0 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 6.5/s | Y | n | |
4. | Canon 77D | optical | Y | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 6.0/s | Y | n | |
5. | Canon SL2 | optical | n | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
6. | Canon SL3 | optical | n | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
7. | Canon SX20 | 202 | n | 2.5 / 230 | swivel | n | 1/3200s | 0.7/s | Y | Y | |
8. | Canon T1i | optical | n | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.4/s | Y | n | |
9. | Canon T3 | optical | n | 2.7 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
10. | Canon T5 | optical | n | 3.0 / 460 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
11. | Canon T6 | optical | n | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
12. | Canon T100 | optical | n | 2.7 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
13. | Canon XSi | optical | n | 3.0 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.5/s | Y | n | |
14. | Canon XTi | optical | n | 2.5 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. |
The XS writes its imaging data to SDHC cards, while the T7 uses SDXC cards.
Connectivity comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS Rebel XS and Canon EOS Rebel T7 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon XS | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
2. | Canon T7 | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
3. | Canon 40D | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
4. | Canon 77D | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
5. | Canon SL2 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
6. | Canon SL3 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
7. | Canon SX20 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | YES | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
8. | Canon T1i | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
9. | Canon T3 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
10. | Canon T5 | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
11. | Canon T6 | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
12. | Canon T100 | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
13. | Canon XSi | Y | - / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
14. | Canon XTi | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - |
It is notable that the T7 offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the XS does not provide wifi capability.
The T7 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Canon. In contrast, the XS has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the XS was succeeded by the Canon T3. Further information on the features and operation of the XS and T7 can be found, respectively, in the Canon XS Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon T7 Manual.
Review summary
So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon XS and the Canon T7? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.
Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS Rebel XS:
- Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.51x vs 0.50x).
- More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in June 2008).
Advantages of the Canon EOS Rebel T7:
- More detail: Has more megapixels (24 vs 10.1MP), which boosts linear resolution by 54%.
- Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC 4+ vs DIGIC 3).
- Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 1080/30p video.
- Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.5") for image review and settings control.
- More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (920k vs 230k dots).
- Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
- Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
- More modern: Reflects 9 years and 8 months of technical progress since the XS launch.
If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the T7 is the clear winner of the contest (8 : 2 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon XS and the Canon T7 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.
In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the XS and the T7 in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.
Expert reviews
This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.
Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon XS | .. | 82/100 | .. | + + | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jun 2008 | 449 | ebay.com | |
2. | Canon T7 | .. | o | 3.5/5 | .. | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 | Feb 2018 | 449 | amazon.com | |
3. | Canon 40D | .. | + + | .. | + + | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2007 | 1,299 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon 77D | 4.5/5 | .. | 4/5 | 82/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Feb 2017 | 899 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon SL2 | 4/5 | + + | 4/5 | 78/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jun 2017 | 549 | ebay.com | |
6. | Canon SL3 | 4/5 | o | 4.5/5 | 79/100 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Apr 2019 | 599 | amazon.com | |
7. | Canon SX20 | .. | + + | .. | 73/100 | .. | 4/5 | Aug 2009 | 399 | ebay.com | |
8. | Canon T1i | .. | + + | .. | 74/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Mar 2009 | 799 | ebay.com | |
9. | Canon T3 | .. | 80/100 | .. | 69/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2011 | 449 | ebay.com | |
10. | Canon T5 | 3/5 | + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2014 | 449 | ebay.com | |
11. | Canon T6 | 4/5 | o | 4/5 | 73/100 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Mar 2016 | 449 | ebay.com | |
12. | Canon T100 | .. | o | 3/5 | .. | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 | Feb 2018 | 399 | amazon.com | |
13. | Canon XSi | .. | + + | .. | + + | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2008 | 799 | ebay.com | |
14. | Canon XTi | .. | + + | .. | + + | o | 4/5 | Aug 2006 | 799 | ebay.com | |
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.
Other camera comparisons
Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.
Specifications: Canon XS vs Canon T7
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.
Camera Model | Canon XS | Canon T7 |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Digital single lens reflex | Digital single lens reflex |
Camera Lens | Canon EF mount lenses | Canon EF mount lenses |
Launch Date | June 2008 | February 2018 |
Launch Price | USD 449 | USD 449 |
Sensor Specs | Canon XS | Canon T7 |
Sensor Technology | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor Format | APS-C Sensor | APS-C Sensor |
Sensor Size | 22.2 x 14.8 mm | 22.3 x 14.9 mm |
Sensor Area | 328.56 mm2 | 332.27 mm2 |
Sensor Diagonal | 26.7 mm | 26.8 mm |
Crop Factor | 1.6x | 1.6x |
Sensor Resolution | 10.1 Megapixels | 24 Megapixels |
Image Resolution | 3888 x 2592 pixels | 6000 x 4000 pixels |
Pixel Pitch | 5.71 μm | 3.72 μm |
Pixel Density | 3.07 MP/cm2 | 7.22 MP/cm2 |
Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | Anti-Alias filter |
Movie Capability | no Video | 1080/30p Video |
ISO Setting | 100 - 800 ISO | 100 - 6,400 ISO |
ISO Boost | 100 - 1,600 ISO | 100 - 12,800 ISO |
Image Processor | DIGIC 3 | DIGIC 4+ |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 62 | .. |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 22 | .. |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 10.9 | .. |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 719 | .. |
Screen Specs | Canon XS | Canon T7 |
Viewfinder Type | Optical viewfinder | Optical viewfinder |
Viewfinder Field of View | 95% | 95% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.51x | 0.50x |
LCD Framing | Live View | Live View |
Rear LCD Size | 2.5inch | 3.0inch |
LCD Resolution | 230k dots | 920k dots |
LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | Fixed screen |
Shooting Specs | Canon XS | Canon T7 |
Focus System | Phase-detect AF | Phase-detect AF |
Continuous Shooting | 3 shutter flaps/s | 3 shutter flaps/s |
Shutter Life Expectancy | 100 000 actuations | 100 000 actuations |
Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | Built-in Flash |
Storage Medium | SDHC cards | SDXC cards |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | Single card slot |
UHS card support | no | no |
Connectivity Specs | Canon XS | Canon T7 |
External Flash | Hotshoe | Hotshoe |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
HDMI Port | no HDMI | mini HDMI |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | Wifi built-in |
Near-Field Communication | no NFC | NFC built-in |
Body Specs | Canon XS | Canon T7 |
Battery Type | Canon LP-E5 | Canon LP-E10 |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 500 shots per charge | 500 shots per charge |
Body Dimensions |
126 x 98 x 65 mm (5.0 x 3.9 x 2.6 in) |
129 x 101 x 78 mm (5.1 x 4.0 x 3.1 in) |
Camera Weight | 502 g (17.7 oz) | 475 g (16.8 oz) |
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