Canon EOS 1000D Review

Handling & ease of use:
Smaller and lighter than any other digital SLR that Canon has produced, the EOS 1000D represents a compact and unobtrusive DSLR for the beginner to get to grips with. The large handgrip and contoured body shape makes it easy to hold and while it feels well made, it feels more plasticky than the likes of the Nikon D40/D40x and the Pentax K200D. The controls have been very cleanly laid out to make camera operation as simple as possible and it certainly won't intimidate first-time DSLR users. A large, chunky top-plate dial selects the modes, while virtually all the remaining controls are located on the camera's rear. All the function buttons are marked up with icons that, after a cursory look at the instruction manual, are easy to understand and remember. There is no smaller top-plate LCD panel, as found on some models, but the rear 2.5in monitor has a clean layout and bright display with all key exposure information provided. The menu system follows the style of other current EOS models and is very clean and easy to navigate, using the four-way control system found to the right of the LCD screen.

The viewfinder is no better or worse than those found on other DSLRs at this price point. It's quite small but sharp and bright. The hood manages to eliminate flare, though in very bright conditions it can still be hard to see the green LED figures running along the base. Behind it is a dioptric correction facility for spectacle wearers. Overall, with the exception of the general plastic feel of the body, there is little to complain about in terms of its handling. Neatly designed and very easy to use, it is sure to find favour with many beginners.

Features:
The EOS 1000D joins what can only be described as a glut of DSLRs in the £500/entry-level sector of the market. It faces stiff competition from several strong rivals, so what has it to offer that will make it worthy of newcomers' cash? With a 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, it produces images with a 3888x2592 pixel resolution, which is high enough to deliver good quality A3 prints. With a full range of exposure modes from fully auto to manual, there is no shortage of options available for users of all levels. This is backed up by three metering patterns: 35-zone Evaluative, Partial (9% metering area) and centre-weighted average, plus overrides (compensation and bracketing). With seven AF points, the autofocus system of the EOS 1000D has more sensors than some of its rivals and less than others. Depending on the exposure mode, you can choose to have all sensors active or select an individual point, and the choice of three AF modes available (see panel below) is impressive. Canon, like Nikon, incorporate its Image Stabiliser (IS) into the lenses and not the camera bodies, so there is no body-integral stabilisation on the EOS 1000D. However, it can be bought in kit form with an 18-55mm IS zoom, and many Canon lenses (including budget options) now also sporting IS. It does feature the EOS Integrated Cleaning System, Canon's dust removal system that works in three ways to prevent sensor dust problems. You can capture images as Raw, JPEG or both simultaneously and when shooting JPEGs in a continuous burst of 3fps drive, the memory buffer won't slow down or stop the sequence until the SD/SDHC card is full. The ISO range is wide at 100-1600 and an AUTO ISO setting is available too. EOS 1000D users can vary effects by changing image parameters and choose Landscape, Portrait etc, or delve into the digital filters menu and choose Monochrome, Sepia etc. Also, while it's not a camera feature as such, it's worth mentioning the powerful DPP (Digital Photo Pro) package, which is one of a number of software applications provided free with the EOS, that offers proficient editing and Raw conversion functionality.

Performance:
The EOS 1000D is much like many of its predecessors, carrying out its job in a swift, efficient manner. It may lack the personality of some rivals, but its clean, pragmatic nature delivers decent results time and again. In terms of how quiet and how fast it is in operation, there is little to match it at this price level. Start-up is near-instant and the AF system quickly and quietly locks on to the subject. Speed of use is further enhanced by the easy labelling and good position of the buttons as well as the clean menu layout. It's certainly a DSLR that beginners will quickly feel at home with. The autofocus works very well in most situations, including with close-up focusing, where the AF is precise enough to mean you don't always have to rely on manual focus for a sharp result. The metering system is pretty, the 35-zone Evaluative pattern is consistent and with the exception of backlit subjects, delivers good exposures. The continuous drive is impressive, rattling away without dropping off when shooting long bursts of JPEGs, which will appeal to those shooting wildlife or action. JPEGs from Raw are slightly sharper than straight JPEGs, but the differnce is minimal. The LCD monitor is bright and sharp, but as mentioned earlier, Live View isn't as straightforward as some. Image quality is very good with colours showing faithful reproduction and skin tones having smooth tonality. Images benefit from a little sharpening, but other than that, pictures from the EOS 1000D are very high quality. Noise is handled well, images up to ISO 800 are good, any faster and noise becomes apparent. Overall, there is little that can be said against the EOS 1000D's performance – it's a refined and capable entry-level model that meets the needs of beginners to digital SLR photography.

DIGIC III PROCESSOR
This powerful image processor is the one
used in the pro EOS models and also at the heart of the EOS 1000D. As well as allowing near-instant start-up times and fast camera operation, its algorithms are intrinsic to the image quality delivered.

EXPOSURE MODES
The EOS 1000D has a full range of modes to suit beginners right through to enthusiasts. There is no shortage of fully automatic options for newcomers, while more experienced users have a choice of creative modes

LIVE VIEW
The EOS 1000D offers Live View, but its speed of use is not up to that of some rivals, which allow Live View with full AF. Canon's system is usable, but it's not in the same class as the likes of the Sony Alpha 350 or Olympus E-520.

MENU SYSTEM
The Canon menu system is one of the best on the scene, with a very neat set-up that's easy to read and fast to use. The general info display is very good too, with a choice of colour options available.

TEST VERDICT:
There may be nothing that is radical about the latest EOS, but there is a lot to like about it. The control layout and the ease of operation is excellent and this factor should not be underestimated – the more comfortable a person feels using their camera, the more they are likely to want to use it. The Canon has much in its favour and it's as good as anything in this price range, so beginners looking to buy a high-quality, feature-packed DSLR will be spoilt for choice. One big question that will hang over the EOS 1000D is whether or not it's worth buying over its older cousin, the EOS 450D. That's something that only would-be purchasers can decide – the EOS 400D has a few more features but the EOS 1000D's operation is more refined and in general is more suited to the beginner. Canon has delivered a very good, no-frills DSLR in the EOS 1000D and as such, it offers a good way into the expansive EOS system. Though it's worth mentioning that you should check out its main rivals too before making a decision, as there is very little to choose between them.

Handling & Ease of use: 22/25
Features: 21/25
Performance: 22/25
Value for money: 22/25
FINAL SCORE: 87/100

Model: Canon EOS 1000D
contact: 08705 143723, www.canon.co.uk
Guide Price (RRP): £570 (18-55 IS)
Sensor type: CMOS
Resolution (effective pixels): 10.1
Max. image resolution (pixels): 3872x2592
Focal length increase: 1.6x
Number of AF points: 7
Multi-zone metering zones: 35
ISO rating: 100-1600
Card format: SD/SDHC
Raw + JPEG: Yes
Shutter speedS: 1/4000sec-30sec+Bulb
Flash sync: 1/200
Shake reduction: IS lens only
Dust reduction: Yes
Continuous frame rate: 3fps
LCD monitor: 2/5in
POWER SOURCE: Lithium-ion
Size (MM): 126x98x62
Weight (grams): 500