Canon EOS M vs Canon EOS Rebel XSi

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS M and Canon EOS Rebel XSi. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS M were released 2012 and Canon EOS Rebel XSi was released 2008. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS M 2012
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 2008

Type of camera

Canon EOS M is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS Rebel XSi is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Canon APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS M 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Canon EOS M has a 18 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS Rebel XSi has 12,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS M 18 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 12,2 MP
12166656 pixels
4272 x 2848

Canon EOS M has a 47 % larger resolution than Canon EOS Rebel XSi. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS M has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS Rebel XSi. Canon EOS M has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Canon EOS Rebel XSi has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS M 100-12800
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 100-1600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS M belongs to the Canon EOS M-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS M

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS M
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS Rebel XSi

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS M can shoot up to 4,3 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS Rebel XSi can shoot up to 3,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS M 4,3
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 3,5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Canon EOS M. Unfortunately Canon EOS Rebel XSi does not support recording movies and movie clips.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS Rebel XSi weighs 524 gr (equal to 1.16 lb) which is 76% heavier than Canon EOS M and its 298 gr (or 0.66 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS M 298 gr
0.66 lb
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 524 gr
1.16 lb

Canon EOS M vs Canon EOS Rebel XSi Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS M and Canon EOS Rebel XSi, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS M
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Name Canon EOS M Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS M
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Release Year 2012 2008
Release Date 2012-07-23 2008-01-24
MSRP 799 USD 799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS M
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS M
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5184 x 3456 pixels 4272 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 18 MP 12,2 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 5 DIGIC 3
Image
Canon EOS M
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 1600
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS M
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 31 9
Lens Mount Canon EF-M

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS M
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1040000 230000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type Clear View II TFT LCD N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS M
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Frames per second 4,3 fps 3,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 13 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS M
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Canon EOS M
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS M
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control No Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed)
GPS Yes
Optional via GP-E2
No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS M
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E12 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Pack LP-E5
Battery Life (CIPA) 230 shots 600 shots
Width 109 mm 129 mm
Height 66 mm 98 mm
Depth 32 mm 62 mm
Weight 298 gram 524 gram