Camera 500D - Fantastic Upgrade!

I upgraded to this camera after owning a usedwant or would use a real camcorder. I still use it
Rebel XT for a year for portrait photography.primarily for the great photos it gives me. And as
This has been a fantastic upgrade for me. TheI've mentioned, it's a great upgrade from the XT
picture quality and new settings that the Cameraand more gentle on my budget than going to a
500D allows is greatly liberating and lets me7D. Overall, I love this camera and would highly
express my creativity even more.recommend it for serious amateurs and
I also love that it has video capabilities, thoughsemi-pros.
they are quite limited. It's enough for me to playGreat Camera, Good Price
with, and that's all I wanted. My only complaintsI've had this camera about a month now. It is my
about the video, is that the HD records at 20fpsfirst dSLR after a decent run with
and is very choppy. I see no reason to use itpoint-and-shoots. Advice from friends who know
because of that. It's just not worth it. But themore about photography than I do, coupled with
Standard Definition works great at 30fps and isgood experiences with my SD850IS pushed me
very smooth. I've already used it to documenttowards a Canon dSLR. I decided to go with the
class projects at night of video projections andCamera 500D over the XSi due to the video
(other than my neglect to white balance) itcapability and the Creative Auto mode.
worked wonderfully. My other complaint is theThe video, while nice, is not something I've found
audio recording. It records in mono, and since themyself using very much so far. Maybe once I get
mic is in camera, it picks up every noise andmore of the still features figured out, I will delve
movement you make. Focusing or zooming withinto that further. It produces good video with
your lens while recording makes horrible noises,sub-par audio (on-camera mic only). The Creative
and though I'm using my much lower quality XTAuto mode has really helped me to get some
kit lens, I don't see it getting much better withbetter photos than the Auto mode without fear
motor movements.of screwing up a setting and ruining the shot.
I understand there are microphone attachmentsSo far, I've added a second battery, wired
that can do a better job, but for now, I'mremote shutter release, a Canon 430 EX II
satisfied just to work with the video and mostspeedlite, and a Canon 50mm/F1.8 lens. In
pieces I create are either left silent or get a niceretrospect, I almost wish I would have bought it
track of music anyway. That being noted, THISwithout the kit lens and upgraded to the Sigma
IS NOT A VIDEO ONLY CAMERA. Much of my18-50/F2.8 EX DC Macro lens. It is more
review is on the video quality, but it should beexpensive, but a faster lens and would do better
noted that if you're serious about working within lower light.
video, get a real camcorder. I use this primarilyOverall, very pleased with the camera.
for photos, but it's my toe in the door to see if I