Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP 3.0" DSLR $656 at Canon

Still don't understand why Canon make this 18Mp ( too much for me) but only 9-Point AF ( too little for me). It just like build a Racing car but give it a tiny engine..
My aged film camera Canon Eos 3 has Area AF with 45 focusing points..

Getting close Ben, one more model up - t3i...say it with me t3i lol

I don't even think digital has caught up with film in the speed of the AF yet, not sure. Maybe on the high end dslr's that do have 45 point AF but you are talking $6000 or so, which is WAY out of reach for a normal person like myself

Don't think of it as getting a overside car with a tiny engine, think of it as getting a big car for the price of a little car. If you want 45 af points, put out $5k for a 1D Mark IV. For an entry DSLR the 9AF points on the t2i is just fine, this is a very starting DSLR. The only thing that go against it is that for $100 less you can get a Nikon D3100 and have almost the same IQ and performance. BUT.that's another store all together.

Picture quality is more important than MP to me. 18mp is way too much for general use. 8 Mp is good enough for 10x12 photo- Think how many 10x12 photo you printed for the last year? If you add " crop " option in there- 12 MP should be more than enough. ( Unless you are pro and shooting for the poster huge print- however pro won't use the 9 point AF camera)
I do think the Lens and AF system is the key to a sharp photo. To me Canon just play MP game and leave old old technology inside the camera body.

If all you need is 8mp and sharpness, then shoot a slightly out of focus 18mp and dumb it down to 8mp. I guarantee you sharpness.

Not sure I could understand the out-of-focus theory of #5, but I totally agree with #4.
Most of us here at Bens' only need an 8MP, some good lenses, some decent photography knowledge, and lots of practice.

My point is, it doesn't matter if you need 18mp or not. Just because the T2i have an 18mp sensor doesn't mean that it's inferior to an 8mp sensor. Matter of fact the 18mp sensor on the t2i will complete destroy any other 8mp sensor out there in term of IQ and high iso performance. That's the way it is with technology, new sensor technology gives you higher mp ALONG with better performance. As you said before sharpness is largely lense dependence, no matter what body you have, without good glass it's just gonna be a waste. Doesn't take away from the part that the t2i is a great beginner body with room to grow.

BTW: I am a Nikon shooter, but I have use the t2i before.

I'm not a photographer but I stayed at motel 6 last night.

I agree that MP does not matter but when buying a dslr you should still go with what will be functional for you.

I needed the fold out lcd to record video reviews of myself, so the 60d and t3i were my choices due to that feature alone.

As for 18mp vs even my older 6mp camera, most people will never use the 18mp picture for anything but on a computer or printing 4x6 prints at the local wally world, so yes, it is useless unless you crop a LOT off. Will it hurt having it, no it won't.

That is why I keep going back to the features you want/need in a camera dictating what you buy. If the t1i had the swivel lcd and ability to record no less than 720p 30fps, I would have snagged that one as that is all I need, but it doesnt.

Good glass for dslr cameras - I hear this all the time and I still will not pay a couple grand for a lens just because the optics are better, especially for home use I have an old Quantaray 75-300mm lens that i bought for our RebelG (film *shock*) slr that works and looks just fine for vacation pictures. Now if someone would like to send me all their good glass they don't use or need anymore, I would never turn it down =)