Canon - EOS Rebel T5i DSLR Camera with 18-135mm IS STM Lens - Black

The touch screen is high quality and responsive, I ended up using it more often than I thought. It makes picture review a breeze after pressing the play arrow button. If you've ever used an I Phone/similar touch screen where you can make a pinching motion to to zoom in and out of photos, slide your finger left and right to flip through photos, it's the same familiar technology. Very solid camera construction, heavy weight (with the lens attached it's very heavy to carry around in your hand, especially for anyone used to a smaller point and shoot - you WILL want to use the neck strap that comes with this.) I found it to be user friendly with many dial modes that allow you to get started quickly. The only thing I did not immediately figure out how to do is take video, as I expected it to be a mode on the dial and not in the main on/off switch area unlike previous versions of this camera and my other point and shoots. Anything you can't figure out, the extensive user guide book that comes with it should provide answers. It displays a description of each mode on the screen as you rotate the dial. You will want to buy a screen protector and a "lenspen", this will get small smudges and lint on it really fast. The flash disperses light extremely well compared to any camera I've used before. I was able to take pictures of my cats from a few feet away, didn't get the laser eye effect and could see every single piece of hair and little details of their noses as if they were in outdoor light. There is only one mode that doesn't use flash when the camera detects that it is dark, so if you're taking pictures of animals outside be aware that even in sunlight its possible that your flash with pop up with a loud snap sound scaring your animal away unless you have it on the NO FLASH setting. Burst mode is great for moving animals and people. I got a 64gb SDXC card which in retrospect was overkill, each photo at 18mp is about 7 to 9mb each in full size .jpg mode, and after taking a thousand pictures I was still under a few % full on my memory card space. If you shoot RAW images then they are over 25mb each and I can see needing a massive card. Battery life is AMAZING when you do NOT use the live view touch screen or take video. I took pictures constantly, some with flash, for over 3 hours and still had nearly a full charge. What I didn't like from my initial experience: This might seem like a no brainer for the experienced, but I was not expecting the camera to NOT allow me to take bad pictures. I thought I had a lemon when I repeatedly attempted to push down the shutter button to find it unresponsive. What really happened was, when you have the lens set to auto focus, you have to be the minimum focus distance away from your subject. Get too close and your camera will just act like you didn't press anything. Really I think that it should give you some sort of message on the screen to let you know that it's still alive and it just needs you to back up. It took me a while to find the little camera screen icon button that activates the "live view" (so you can see images on the screen as you take them.) I was disappointed to find that it makes the camera audibly work much harder with focusing. The booklet also warns that the camera can overheat and shut down if you use this mode too long, and I don't doubt that it adds quite a bit of wear and tear on your camera. It also drains your battery much faster, so I would suggest that you use the viewfinder only. I have quickly learned that this camera is capable of AMAZING shots, especially with good lighting. I take a lot of outdoor pictures including close up flowers to far away birds, animals and partial landscape pictures. I'm asking a lot from a single lens as far as range goes. Within days I found myself wishing for more zoom capabilities, coming from a point and shoot with 10x optical zoom I was actually a little surprised at the limited zoom distance on the 135mm. I bought the "EFS 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II" lens and found that, for my purposes, it completely replaces my 18-135mm kit lens. The kit lens is more suited for people who need the lower mm zoom range (such as group photos indoors, wide landscape shots or anytime being slightly zoomed in would be a negative.) As long as you can stand at least 4 feet away from your subject you can take the same quality close up shots with the 250mm lens, I got some really beautiful flower macros with this lens. The only bad thing I could say about the 55-250mm is that the upgrade from the 18-135mm wasn't as significant as I'd hoped as far as view distance. The few feet of visual distance you gain IS worth it however, since it makes all the difference for not startling that chipmunk or bird. I found that I was able to take somewhat decent photos within 100 feet (with some noise when using automatic ISO settings, especially in the shade, and less sharpness than you might get with an L series lens,) GREAT photos when I was able to be within 20-30 feet, and PERFECT pictures when I was within 10 to 20 feet of my subject. I did eventually just move on to the 100-400mm lens so I could capture more small bird photos (zoom range is key for most wildlife photography) though it is around $1,500 - if this is in your price range or is needed for business I highly recommend it. Otherwise my favorite lens around that "inexpensive" $300 mark is the 55-250 for wildlife, flower photography, and even portraits when you are outside/have space to back up from your subject.

So I am a very basic user of cameras who was just tired of getting bad shots with my point and shoot, especially action shots. I decide to look into a DSLR and took the research WAY too far. I widdled it down to the Nikon D5200 and this Canon T5i. After all my research I determined that the everyone on the internet and in personal use by professionals agrees that the Nikon D5200 does take better pictures. So how did I end up with this camera, you ask? I put the camera in my hands and decided to be honest with myself. I needed something that was as easy to use as a point and shoot, but just took good pictures of my kids. Maybe I will get a chance to take a class and learn more about pictures (given my schedule, probably not), but at the very beginning I need to take good pictures NOW. In addition, it may be some time between opportunities to use this camera (could be months) and I don't want to have to "re-learn" how to use this thing every time I take it out of the bag. Add into the fact (and this is more important than you think), that my wife has to be able to use this camera from time to time and if she is afraid or not willing to use it... well, that means I am not going to be in the pictures. So, that said, I needed a DSLR that was easy to use. The touch screen on the T5i and the interface that they give you to setup the camera is just plain easier,,. especially those who are used to using your iphones and smartphones. The camera also just felt better (larger and more holdable) in my hands. My finger tended to land on the button to take pictures much better than on the D5200. Amazing how much that little detail made me more comfortable with the camera. Also, the 135mm lense allows you to just point and shoot without having to switch lenses all the time. I can swap the basic settings on the camera in a flash because... if that's the setting I want, i touch it on the screen...BOOM... done. I handed the camera to my wife after owning the camera a week, the very first picture she took of me and my kids was absolutely awesome.... and probably my favorite of all I have taken so far. I have only used the video in limited amounts, but it is as good as they say. This camera is a good value when you add in the capabilities of the added 135mm lense compared to the others and their options. To Sum it up, be honest with yourself. Both the D5200 and the T5i take really good pictures. Seriously, the T5i picture files are absolutely HUGE when you donwload them. I can't imagine how big the 24mp Nikon's are. The T5i with the 135mm lense is a great all around camera for just grab and shoot picture taking. If you are going to be a purist and likely go for the most high-end picture taking you can (which usually requires a LOT more pratctice from the user), then consider the D5200. However, if you are like me, and are going to be realistic, put the T5i in your hands and try out the user interface. Don't forget... get the 135mm lense. Thank me later because you don't have to do all the research on "which camera is better" in Google. Ug.

I haven't used a DSLR in years and was looking for something to use for a great quality sports shot to take pictures of my kids playing hockey and football. I was holding out for the Canon D70 and when it came out, I compared the two. The sales rep at BB was very helpful and we basically decided together that the T5i would be easier for me to use and a lot more affordable! I got the bundle with the 18-135mm lens and I got the 55-250mm lens. The 18-135 lens was a STM lens the other was not. The first shots I took were still shots of my kids and I could not believe the quality. I was so excited. Clear beautiful pictures! Finally! I enlarged, cropped, and still just beautiful. I got the first football game and I was very impressed. The shutter speed was better than I had hoped and just the right amount of speed for kids' sports. At this point I am a happy camper. I tried using the video and was very disappointed. Found out it is not the camera but the lens causing lots of "noise" on the video. The STM lens makes a huge difference and I went and exchanged the 55-250mm lens immediately. The body is comfortable to hold and doesn't feel awkward - especially since I just came from a larger sized point and shoot. I'm very happy with my purchase. There are still a bunch of functions I haven't tried yet! Overall, I think its the best for the price.

In the past I owned 35mm film camera's. I went to the Kodak easy share camera when digital became popular. But now I want more out of my photography. This is the first DSLR camera that I have owned. I bought it because I wanted to get back into the option of using multiple lens and having control of exposure and shutter speeds and ISO etc. but still being able to shoot fully auto. Also wanted to step up the quality of my shots along with HD video shooting. I did a lot of research and checked out a lot of reviews and talked to the camera experts at Best Buy and in the end the Canon T5i was my best choice. This camera is great for the beginner, novice or professional. I have used some online web sites to learn more about the operation of the camera, but the instructional manual that comes with it, does an excellent job also. This camera is very user friendly. I highly recommend this camera to any level of photographer who is looking for an exceptional DSLR.

I have been a canon user for a long time and got tired of carrying two bodies with two different lenses around. Never liked the super zoom lenses due to poor image quality, hence the two bodies. Canon has improved greatly on this new 18-135 STM lens in every way. It's quiet, fast, and takes tack sharp photos with great colors. The camera body is laid out great with lots of great features. I have a 3 year old and this is the perfect camera for the family. Getting to the video and back to pics is a snap now due to where they put the video switch. I also own other more expensive bodies and L lenses so I am very picky when it comes to image quality and I must say, the t5i with the new 18-135 STM is a welcomed upgrade for Canon. The first pics I took with it were truly breathtaking. That's when you know you have a winner. I will reach for this camera before any other one I own now. Low light pics are really good too. Buy one, you won't be disappointed. :)

I was very excited to get my first EOS Rebel T5i. Learning to use the different settings was fairly easy & I enjoyed using a variety of settings. When I flew to Florida to visit family I was even more excited to think I would be able to take so many memories & share the results with family & friends. I was very disappointed. Within a day the review button stopped working on every picture so I could check & make sure each picture was ok before I lost the lighting situation or it changed all together. Towards the end of the second day the picture review button was hardly working & before I traveled home I was not able to use the review button at all. Unfortunately the result was a wide variety of out of focus pictures that could not be enlarged without seeing most pics I took were in fact out of focus. I took it to a dealer & he suggested I just use the one mode. I tried it & that was not the best result either. When I got back home, Best Buy worked with me & took the camera & lenses back & ordered me the same camera & lenses. This time the picture review button worked but unfortunately the pictures were not the quality I was expecting from one of the top brand camera manufacturers. I'm still not happy with my purchase.

I did a lot of research and with my budget, I bought the T5i and I love it! It’s the flagship of the rebels and I plan on using it on weddings shoots and creative video’s (Note: Don’t buy the T4i…It locks up, I think that’s why they built the T5i with the 5 Digit chip). I just got all my gear together, I have: 1) Canon T5i with the nicer 18-135mm lens kit, from Best Buy. 2) Canon 600EX-RT flash (Note: this flash is the only flash with an ETTL radio transceiver built right in, from Best Buy. 3) Sand Disk Extreme Pro 32GB memory card. And a Sand Disk Ultra 32GB memory card for a backup, from Best Buy. 4) Canon hood. 5) Batteries: one Canon that came with camera kit and four Lenmar batteries, from Best Buy. 6) Canon case, from Best Buy. 7) Tiffen Stroboframe Quickflip 350 flash bracket, from Best Buy. 8) ETTL cable, softbox, many AA 15minute rechargeable batteries for my flash and more… This all makes a great setup that all works together awesomely!!! (Note: I worked the best deals I could…and Best Buy does price match! Bottom line: I love all the choices I made!!!

I've been a Canon EOS person for life and have some of the old lenses. I thought I would use the touch screen more than I do but I'm so used to navigating around through Canon menus that I forget to use it often. The camera is great for almost any still work. But YOU MUST UPGRADE PHOTOSHOP to get the .CR2 files to read. I don't like the concept of Adobe Creative Cloud so I have had add an extra step into my workflow to convert the CR2s to .dngs before color correcting in Photoshop CS5.5. The real star in this package though is the 18-135mm STM.It feels sturdy and is pretty darn sharp though the the sweet spot of the zoom. It is a must have for the semi-serious travel photographer. But always remember that a good camera and lens can only do 20% of the creative work. The other 80% is all composition, lighting and context.