Read up Photocrati's T1i/ 500D review, where you'll find a couple of web-resized photos (one macro, one candid, miscellaneous pics) shot with the EF-S 18-55 IS lens.
The 430EX Speedlite flash was used for some of the images.
Jack has the following remarks on the 18-55 lens:
I was happily surprised by the lens’s performance. I don’t think Canon souped-up sharpness and contrast in the T1i to make up for possible deficiencies in the lens optically, since I also tested it with one of my regular Canon zooms. So I’d have to say, in terms of sharpness, contrast, and color rendition, this lens appeared to hold its own. Another pleasant surprise was the close-focusing limit, at just under 10 inches.
Simon Joinson has the following conclusion on the JPG photo output quality from both cameras:
The 500D's JPEG output is a lot closer to the EP-1's, but even here the little Olympus has the edge when it comes to pixel-level sharpness – despite the Canon's higher nominal resolution. There's really not a lot in it though, and in a print you'd be unlikely to see any difference in detail at all. The 500D's color and contrast is a little more muted, and again it's handling the roll-off of highlights a little more gently (and again, the difference would be less at ISO 200), but as both cameras offer extensive control over image parameters this is really only relevant to those who never change a single camera setting.
Lenses used were the Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Telephoto Macro ED on the E-P1, and Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard / Medium Telephoto on the T1i / 500D / Kiss X3.
Canon EOS Digital Rebel T1i / 500D vs Pentax K-7: Low-Light Video / Movie Recording – Mike Perlman:
In low light, the Pentax K-7 did an admirable job of adjusting the Auto exposure, and we loved the ability to zoom in and out. However, noise levels were off the hook in extremely low light environments, but at least the Pentax K-7 provided a visible display. The Canon EOS 500D (Rebel T1i) could not even handle to low light whatsoever, so the Pentax K-7 took the edge there. We feel that the Pentax K-7's HD video quality suffers from first-generation syndrome, but based on the quality of some of the camera's top video clips, we can only expect great things in the future.
Fun Family Action Photo Sequence With the T1i / 500D plus EF-S 18-200mm IS Lens – Dray:
I have continued to try the all around in one camera for vacations and family outings. I have used more than a few p&s cameras with disappointing results, for me. I know many will disagree but as I said, for me. I just received the rebel T1i and ef-s 18-200 IS lens and tried the combo out today. Although this lens is not USM, it focuses plenty fast as seen in this sequence.
Five of the six shots taken in this sequence, shot in AI Servo, multi shot, single point center focus, wide open, Av mode, ISO 400. I really am initially pleased with this little camera, in fact I plan on having a second prime attached and use as a backup to my 50d when shooting sports.
Testing the T1i / 500D with SelfMadeMan's Three Favorite Canon Lenses – Namely, the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom and Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM lenses.
Great Zurich, Switzerland photos in that post, and SelfMadeMan says this about the T1i / 500D:
Whereas I was rather disappointed of the upgrade from the 300D to the 400D, I am very happy with the step up to the 500D! Focus and metering are much improved on the 500D and the display is a gem. The handling is also generally much better. The combination with my glasses is great and even under difficult conditions all three lenses worked smoothly with the 500D. In short: I'm very happy with this set of gear.
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Canon Digital Rebel T1i (EOS 500D) Review by Ken Rockwell – Ken, on the JPEG image quality:
To the educated observer, this makes the Rebel T1i images look as if they came from a point-and-shoot, with their need for severe noise reduction even at daylight ISOs.
This makes T1i images look slightly weird because the edges are all sharp, but distant bushes will have no texture, similar to cartoons. If you have grass and bushes receding into the distance, the close ones will show all the branches, and as they get farther away, suddenly all the details inside the bushes get smoothed over so they become green blobs, not bushes. Don't freak out; this is a subtle effect, but annoying once you learn to recognize it. Dealing with raw files instead of image files (JPG) may let you rectify this later in software; my life is too valuable to waste playing with raw files.
If you're coming from the Digital Rebel XSi / 450D to the T1i, you'll notice that Canon has removed the dedicated button for changing metering modes (one of the following: Evaluative metering, Partial metering, Spot metering, Center-weighted average metering).
Pete4 says:
Metering mode button is gone but simple enough: press SET and you can access most functions by scrolling around, once metering mode is active pressing set again will give you menu to choose the mode. After that if you going back to the menus in the future press SET twice and you're in metering mode menu. I don't change metering mode that often and don't miss separate button for it at all.
According to Macro, selection of a metering mode isn't on the list of functions that can be directly accessible by pressing the SET button:
The SET button options do not include metering mode.
0: Quick control screen
1: Image quality
2: Flash exposure comp.
3: LCD monitor On/Off
4: Menu display
5: Disabled
Canon T1i / 500D vs Nikon D5000 vs Nikon D300 – Ken Rockwell:
If you demand more pixels and count every one, the Nikon D5000 (or equivalent D90 or D300) gives superior technical results from their lack of noise-reduction induced smudging, ability to correct lens defect color fringes and more reliable AF system. If you look at your photos at 100% on-screen, the Rebel T1i images look more like they came from a compact than an SLR.
Canon T1i / 500D / Kiss X3 vs Panasonic GH1 – Steve Morgenstern:
One of the two sub-$1000 video-enabled SLRs available today, the Canon Rebel T1i does a decent job shooting video, with video color and noise performance roughly equal to the GH1, but at 1080p the Canon only captures 20 frames per second, which doesn't look smooth. The Panasonic offers far more control over video shooting plus an external mic jack, both major advantages. For shooting stills, the GH1 is far superior when it comes to sharpness, though the Canon reproduces color far more accurately.