Digital Lifestyle > All Reviews > Hardware > Canon EOS 1000D review

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 Canon EOS 1000D review

Canon gains ground on Nikon with its robust new entry-level DSLR

Gavin Stoker

Manufacturer: Canon
Manufacturer: Canon
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
Min specs: 10.1Mp CMOS sensor; up to 3fps; 7-point wide-area AF; Self-Cleaning Image Sensor; 2.5in LCD with Live View mode; DIGIC III processor; SD/SDHC card slot; Picture Styles processing; Compact and lightweight; Compatible with EF/EF-S lenses and EX Speedlites; 126.1x97.5x61.9mm; 450g
Price: £343.78 inc VAT
Star rating:

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?

The 1000D offers all the essentials for an entry-level model: 10-megapixel resolution, 7-point wide area auto focus (AF) system, JPEG or Raw file capture and three frames per second (fps) continuous shooting until the SD (or higher capacity SDHC) memory card is full. It feels reassuringly solid when gripped, with the plastic construction well disguised by matt-black bodywork. Canon suggests it’s the lightest DSLR in the EOS family, although with the image stabilised 18-55mm kit lens attached you wouldn’t know it.

Unlike more expensive models, there’s no top plate display showing key shooting options, so users are reliant on the rear 2.5in LCD. Thankfully, visibility is good and functions are clearly presented and logically navigated. You’ll find a 12-setting mode dial, forward command dial and four-way controller at the back, all of which fall readily under forefinger or thumb. The screen also boasts a Live View option, which allows for shot composition and review, as you’d find on a compact.

All this ensures that those trading up from a snapshot won’t face a steep learning curve. They can continue to use fully automatic settings until confident enough to switch to the 1000D’s creative modes of program, shutter priority, aperture priority and full manual.

The 1000D is quick to power up, ready for the first shot in about a second (though the LCD is activated another second later). There’s little, if any, shutter delay and it commits JPEGs rapidly to memory. The ability to automatically clean the sensor free of any dust or grit on powering down is a boon for those planning on swapping optics with any regularity.

Light sensitivity ranges from a standard ISO 100 through to a modest ISO 1600, though the latter setting is surprisingly noise free. Generally image colours are rich and stay on the right side of naturalistic when left on standard default settings. Detail is good using the supplied lens, although overall sharpness could be improved.

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