Canon EOS 1000D - Expert Reviews

Review summary: A decent enough addition to the legendary EOS range, but there are too many competitors at this price.

Verdict: In the 1000D's favour, the compact body is also light at just 708g including the kit lens – only the Olympus E-420 is lighter – making it a fine holiday carry-around. The lack of spot metering will rarely be an issue, and as compensation you get ...

Review summary: Canon has introduced its most affordable SLR yet with the Rebel XS, a solid performer priced at $599.99 including a 18-55mm kit lens

Verdict: The Rebel XS looks almost identical to the step-up model Rebel XSi, which is to say just like every other entry-level SLR on the market. It's primarily built of black plastic, with some textured areas to give you a bit more grip, and an enlarged hand ...

Review summary: The Rebel XS looks almost identical to the step-up model Rebel XSi, which is to say just like every other entry-level SLR on the market. It's primarily built of black plastic, with some textured areas to give you a bit more grip, and an enlarged hand ...

Verdict: The Olympus E-520 retails for $650, a tad more than the Canon, and scored worse in every lab test except color. In its favor, though, it has a more competent Live View system; in-camera image stabilization, which leads to less expensive lenses, and ...

Review summary: Canon has been losing ground to arch rival Nikon of late when it comes to producing high-performance, good-value DSLRs. So will the budget-priced Canon EOS 1000D redress the balance?

Verdict: Anyone choosing the Canon EOS 1000D as their first DSLR is best advised to opt for both camera and 18-55mm image stabilised zoom, as tested, for just £80 more than the body-only price. As typical with a DSLR you'll have to provide your own memory card ...

Review summary: With lots of carry-over parts from the advanced Rebel XSi, the entry-level Canon Rebel XS is a budget model that's anything but bare bones.

Pros: Rebel XSi performance for less bucks ; Fantastic, reliable AF system ; Extremely clean high-ISO shots ; More processing options than you could possibly need

Cons: Build quality not great ; Kit lens is of average quality ; Auto white balance struggles at times ; Live view less than useful

Verdict: The ace up Canon's sleeve in the case of the XS, though, is that this camera retains a surprising amount of the technology that made the XSi an Editor's Choice pick around these parts. If you like what Canon's doing at the entry level but have been ...