Canon EOS 1000D - Expert Reviews

Award: Highly Recommended!

Review summary: When Canon launched the EOS 300D back in 2003 it was widely regarded as the first affordable digital SLR and secured Canon a seemingly indomitable number-one spot in the market. Since then the 'small' Canon has gone through three further iterations ...

Pros: Great results even with default settings, Good tonal response and dynamic range, Picture styles provides good control over image output (and prove consistent across models), Typical Canon CMOS noise-free images, remain detailed even at high ...

Cons: Continuous shooting ability in RAW very limited (small buffer and low speed), Average automatic white balance performance, still very poor under incandescent light, Comparatively small viewfinder, Limited exposure compensation range (+/- 2.0 EV), Live ...

Review summary: Canon introduce a robust new DSLR

Pros: Robust yet relatively lightweight with kit lens attached, easy to use, fair value when bought with image-stabilised optic

Cons: Little new or original, need to delve into menus to access Live View - a dedicated button would be nice

Verdict: Canon has been losing ground to arch rival Nikon of late when it comes to producing high-performance, good-value digital SLRs (DSLRs). So will its new budget offering redress the balance?

Review summary: Not only is the EOS 1000D affordable but the entry-level DSLR has all the features that matter.

Pros: Good feature set ; relatively low noise at all ISO settings ; Live View ; low price

Cons: No dedicated Live View button ; slow shooting speed when recording in RAW format

Verdict: The camera has all you need to grow as a photographer and the RM1,999 price tag means that you don't have to sell your soul to get one.

Review summary: The Canon EOS 1000D reflects the narrowing gap between compacts and digital SLRs. With its lightweight build and 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, the dSLR is an unintimidating camera. Will its compact-style features pack enough punch to sway buyers from ...

Pros: Live view ; bright display ; stabilised kit lens

Cons: Budget feel ; average performance ; unadventurous specs

Verdict: The 1000D feels like what it is: a cheap, basic dSLR. It's perfectly competent, produces good quality pictures and has all the controls that keen photographers will want as they gain experience. But while Canon's used the opportunity to improve on the ...

Review summary: The EOS Rebel XS is Canon's newest entry-level SLR. Based on the Rebel XSi, it's marginally cheaper and less powerful, with a resolution of 10 megapixels versus 12 for the XSi, a smaller 2.5" LCD screen. It arrives into an already crowded marketplace, ...

Pros: - Good low light and dynamic range score - Access to a wide range of lenses - Live View and strong automatic mode make it friendly for new users -Decent results for an entry-level SLR

Cons: - Plastic rather than rubber grips - Average color and resolution scores - Barely less expensive than the XSi - Nospot metering

Verdict: The Canon EOS Rebel XS is a decently priced, entry-level SLR that scored well across our entire panel of tests, especially with regards to low light and dynamic range. It has Live View mode to help ease point-and-shoot users into the more advanced ...