What's new / changed (key points)

12 megapixel CMOS sensor The 450D features a new, 12.4 megapixel sensor. It has 12.2 million effective pixels. Further down the line, the A/D converter is capable of relaying 14 bit information to the camera's image processor or as a 14-bit RAW file. This should, in theory at least, offer smoother gradation steps in the final images.	SD / SDHC Card This is also the first entry-level Canon DSLR to use the Secure Digital format. It's a popular format with the compact digital camera owners Canon will be hoping to lure into DSLR ownership. SDHC is now available in similar sizes and speeds to the CF format used by the 300D, 350D and 400D.
Larger viewfinder A big step forwards for Canon's entry-level DSLR is the larger viewfinder. It's unlikely to be as bright as the ones found in Canon's XXD models because it uses mirrors, rather than a glass prism but in terms of magnification (size), it's almost on a par with the 30D which was a considerably more expensive camera. It's unusual to see viewfinder specs mentioned when comparing DSLRs but they can make a really big difference to usability.	Live view The 450D becomes the latest DSLR to include a live view mode. [Here are the options you get]. It includes a slow but potentially very accurate contrast detection AF method, which can be made the default for Live view. [Using this custom function]. It also offers an optional live histogram to help with exposure and an' Exposure Simulation' indicator to confirm when the view on the screen represents the brightness of the final image.
Spot metering A regular criticism of Canon's Rebel range has always been the lack of a spot metering mode. Spot metering is a tool that many photographers find invaluable, particularly when setting manual exposures in difficult-to-capture high contrast scenes. Previously only available on XXD-level cameras, we're delighted to see spot metering appear on the 450D (central 4% of the frame).	Multi-shot self-timer mode The 450D gains the ability to take multiple shots each time the self-timer is used. If you're trying to appear in a group shot and don't want to have to keep running back to the camera, it could prove a really useful feature.
3.0" LCD One of the most obvious external differences between the 450D and its predecessor is the inclusion of a huge 3 inch LCD screen. It's got the same number of pixels as the one on the 400D (which means it's actually lower resolution), but, considering it doubles as the camera's settings screen, the extra size should be useful.	Verification data The 450D adds the "original decision data" option that cropped up on the 40D. This appends a piece of data in the image file, based on certain aspects of the original image. This data would no longer correspond if the image were changed, allowing users to prove the veracity of an image. (Which requires the OSK-E3 security kit)
Auto Lighting Optimizer A feature aimed at reducing the number of failed shots is the new 'Auto Lighting Optimizer.' This processes photos after they've been taken to try to correct exposure and contrast problems, though in our tests it had very little effect.	Highlight Tone Priority Another feature that has made its way down from the 40D is 'Highlight Tone Priority' which alters the way that the camera meters a scene. This means it captures and retains more information in the bright areas of the image at the risk of more noise in the shadows.
High ISO noise reduction Another feature trickling down from the 40D is the option to add an extra level of noise reduction when shooting at the camera's highest sensitivity settings. Comes at the expense of continuous shooting speed so has been made optional.	14-bit A/D converter The 450D's DIGIC III processor handles the sensor's data in 14-bit. Whether this makes any difference away from the spec-sheet is something we'll see when we get the chance to conduct more extensive testing.
Improved 9-point AF system Canon is claiming the AF system has been revised in the XSi / 450D. Certainly the AF chip appears to be different to the one we showed in the 400D review.	Larger, higher capacity, battery The 450D departs from its predecessors by using a new battery. The new, larger, LP-E5 battery has a capacity of 1080mAh, rather than 720mAh. This will be particularly useful given the greater power demands that live view brings.
My Menu Another feature inherited from its older brother, the 40D, is My Menu. This lets users group their most-used menu items into a personal list, for easy access. It's a feature we found surprisingly useful.	Revised user interface The status display has been freshened-up and is slightly easier to read. There are now four color schemes available. The 450D also gains the ability to show Speedlight settings on the screen for people working with external Canon flashguns.
ISO in viewfinder As well as making the viewfinder larger, Canon has found room to fit additional information into the viewfinder information bar. This, along with the sensibly-placed ISO button, gives you fewer reasons to have to take the camera away from your eye when shooting, which we applaud.	New battery grip Along with the restyled body comes a new battery grip. The BG-E5 gives the option of taking two LP-E5 batteries or 6 AA batteries, using a different slot-in insert. The grip fills the re-shaped battery bay which means these are instead of, not in addition to the normal battery and older grips are incompatible.

International naming	• US: Canon Rebel Digital XSi • Japan: Canon EOS Kiss Digital x2 • Elsewhere: Canon EOS 450D
Body material	Plastic (Stainless Steel chassis)
Sensor *	• 12.2 million effective pixels • 12.4 million total pixels • 22.2 x 14.8 mm CMOS sensor • RGB Color Filter Array • Built-in low-pass filter with self cleaning unit • 3:2 aspect ratio
Dust reduction	• Low-pass filter vibration at power-on (can be interrupted) • Anti-static coating on sensor surfaces • Software based dust-removal (camera maps dust, removed later)
Image sizes *	• 4272 x 2848 (L) • 3088 x 2056 (M) • 2256 x 1504 (S)
Output formats	• RAW (.CR2 14-bit *) • RAW (.CR2 14-bit *) + JPEG Large/Fine • JPEG (EXIF 2.21) - Fine, Normal
Image processor *	DIGIC III
Lenses	• Canon EF / EF-S lens mount • 1.6x field of view crop
Focus modes	• Auto Focus • Manual Focus (switch on lens)
Auto Focus	• 9-point CMOS sensor • Cross-type F2.8 at center * • AF working range: -0.5 to 18 EV (at 23°C, ISO 100)
AF modes	• AI Focus • One shot • AI Servo
AF point selection	• Auto • Manual
AF assist	Flash strobe
Shooting modes	• Auto • Program AE (P) • Shutter priority AE (Tv) • Aperture priority AE (Av) • Manual (M) • Auto depth-of-field • Portrait • Landscape • Close-up • Sports • Night portrait • Flash off
Metering	• TTL 35-zone SPC • Metering range: EV 1.0 - 20 EV (at 23°C, ISO 100, 50 mm F1.4)
Metering modes	• Evaluative 35-zone • Partial 9% at center • Spot 4% at center * • Center-weighted average
AE Lock	AE lock button
AE Bracketing	• +/- 2.0 EV • 0.5 or 0.3 EV increments
Exposure compen.	• +/- 2.0 EV • 0.5 or 0.3 EV increments
Sensitivity	• Auto (100 - 400) • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600 • Highlight tone priority * (ISO 200 - 1600)
Shutter	• Focal-plane shutter • 30 - 1/4000 sec (0.5 or 0.3 EV steps) • Flash X-Sync: 1/200 sec • Bulb
Aperture values	• F1.0 - F91 (0.3 EV steps) • Actual aperture range depends on lens used
White balance	• Auto • Daylight • Shade • Cloudy • Tungsten • Fluorescent • Flash • Custom
WB Bracketing	• +/-3 levels • 3 images • Selectable Blue/Amber or Magenta/Green bias
WB fine-tuning	• Blue (-9) To Amber (+9) • Magenta (-9) to Green (+9)
Color space	• sRGB • Adobe RGB
Picture style	• Standard • Portrait • Landscape • Neutral • Faithful • Monochrome • User 1 • User 2 • User 3
Custom image parameters	• Sharpness: 0 to 7 • Contrast: -4 to +4 • Saturation: -4 to +4 • Color tone: -4 to +4 • B&W filter: N, Ye, Or, R, G • B&W tone: N, S, B, P, G
Drive modes	• Single • Continuous: 3.5 fps up to 53 JPEG / 6 RAW frames • Self-timer 10 secs (2 sec with mirror lock-up) • Self-timer continuous *
Mirror lockup	Yes (custom function)
Viewfinder	• Pentamirror • 95% frame coverage • Magnification: 0.87x * (-1 diopter with 50 mm lens at infinity) • Eyepoint: 19 mm * • Dioptric adjustment: -3.0 to +1.0 diopter • Fixed precision matte • Proximity sensor disables LCD shooting mode information
Viewfinder info *	• AF information (AF points focus confirmation light) • Shutter speed • Aperture value • ISO speed (always displayed) • AE lock • Exposure level/compensation • Spot metering circle • Exposure warning • AEB • Flash ready • High-speed sync • FE lock • Flash exposure compensation • Red-eye reduction light • White balance correction • SD card information • Monochrome shooting • Maximum burst
DOF preview	Yes, button
LCD monitor *	• 3.0" TFT LCD • 230,000 pixels • Wide viewing angle (160° horizontal and vertical) • 7 brightness levels • Up to 10x zoom playback
LCD Live view *	• Live TTL display of scene from CMOS image sensor • 100% frame coverage • Real-time evaluative metering using CMOS image sensor • Best view or exposure simulation • Grid optional (thirds) • Magnify optional (5x or 10x at AF point) • Optional Auto-focus with mirror-down / mirror-up sequence • Two modes; normal and quieter • Remote live view using EOS Utility 2.0 (via USB or WiFi/Ethernet using WFT) • Manual focus only
Camera settings display	• Shutter speed • Aperture • Sensitivity (ISO) • Exposure mode • Meter / Exposure compenation • Bracketing • Flash compensation • White balance & fine tuning • Metering mode • Custom function set • Auto focus mode • Drive mode • Auto focus areas • Black & white mode • Beep • Red-eye reduction • Image size / quality • Battery status • Frames remaining
Record review	• Uses last play mode • Magnification possible • 2 / 4 / 8 sec / Hold
Flash	• Auto pop-up E-TTL II auto flash • Guide number approx 13 • Modes: Auto, Manual Flash On/ Off, Red-Eye Reduction • X-Sync: 1/200 sec • Flash exposure compensation: +/-2.0 EV (0.3 or 0.5 EV steps) • Coverage up to 17 mm focal length (27 mm FOV equiv.)
External flash	• E-TTL II auto flash with EX-series Speedlites • Hot-shoe
Other features	• Orientation sensor • Automatically writes FAT16/FAT32 depending on capacity
Auto rotation	• On (playback uses orientation data in file header) • Off
Playback mode	• Single image • Single image with info (histogram brightness / RGB ) • Magnified view (1.5 - 10x in 15 steps, browsable) • 4 and 9 image index * • Auto play • Image rotation • Jump (by 10, 100 or date)
Custom functions *	13 custom functions with 34 settings
Menu languages *	• English • German • French • Dutch • Danish • Portuguese • Finnish • Italian • Norwegian • Swedish • Spanish • Greek • Simplified Chinese • Japanese • Traditional Chinese • Korean • Russian • Polish • Hungarian • Czech
Firmware	User upgradable
Connectivity	• USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) mini-B • Video out (PAL / NTSC) • E3 type wired remote control
Storage *	• SD / SDHC card
Power *	• Lithium-Ion LP-E5 rechargeable battery (7.4 V, 1050 mAh) • CR2016 Lithium battery (date/time backup) • Optional ACK-E5 AC adapter kit
Battery Grip *	Yes, BG-E5
Direct printing	• Canon Selphy Printers • Canon Bubble Jet Printers with direct print function • Canon PIXMA Printers supporting PictBridge • PictBridge
Dimensions *	129 x 98 x 62 mm (5.1 x 3.9 x 2.4 in)
Weight (no battery) *	475 g (1.0 lb)
Software	• Zoom Browser EX / ImageBrowser • PhotoStitch • EOS Utility (inc. Remote Capture; Windows & Mac except Mac Intel) • Digital Photo Professional (Windows / Mac)