Cameras SLR : Canon EOS 1000D Digital Camera SLR - 10.1 Megapixel

Posted By Agus Mardiana

The baby brother to the EOS 450D, the Canon EOS 1000D is the typical, almost-identical, but slightly less-powerful, version of that camera.

Cameras Slr

With a 10.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor and technology inherited from Canon’s professional models, the EOS 1000D offers EOS imaging power in an affordable, easy-to-use package. The central focus point enables focusing even under low-light or low-contrast conditions.

Canon’s built-in dust prevention system guards images against the effects of dust in three ways: reducing dust generated inside the camera, shaking dust from the sensor each time the camera is turned on or off, and mapping stubborn dust spots for removal with the provided Digital Photo Professional software.

Features :

• 10.1 MP CMOS sensor
• Up to 3fps
• 7-point wide-area AF
• Self-Cleaning Image Sensor
• 2.5″ 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

Review By Lori Grunin

Design
Though it essentially uses the same body as the 450D, it shaves a couple of grams of the weight; it only weighs 450 grams. None require two-handed operation; when you push the button to change ISO, white balance, metering and so on, the menu persists while you navigate the options.

The biggest operational advantage the 1000D offers over competitors is My Menu, which, unlike some other features, it inherits from higher-end models. With My Menu you can build a go-to-list of the most frequently accessed menu settings - in our case, for instance, Format and Live View settings. For instance, you can change ISO sensitivity with either the dial or the navigation buttons, but can only navigate metering choices via the navigation buttons.

The AF indicators are tiny red dots that briefly flash when focus locks. Is it more annoying than the faint focus lines Sony uses?

Features
For the most part, the 1000D offers a solid set of entry-level specs: 10-megapixel, APS-C-size, CMOS sensor (for Canon’s traditional 1.6x focal-length multiplier) and 7-point user-selectable autofocus system. That falls between the Nikon D60’s paltry three-area AF and the 9- and 11-point AF systems in the competing Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 and Pentax K200D, respectively. For example, shutter speeds range from 30 seconds to 1/4000th of a second, with a flash sync speed of 1/200th of a second, and the camera employs a 35-zone TTL-metering system. Canon also offers the BG-E5 battery grip.

Though it offers a Live View shooting mode with contrast-detection AF, Live View’s usefulness is limited without support from an articulating LCD, and it functions too slowly to be of any use with live subjects. Furthermore, all the manufacturers seem to incorrectly think that the equivalent of Canon’s Picture Styles - custom contrast, sharpness saturation and colour tone - are more important in this market segment than the capability to save groups of custom exposure, white balance, metering, drive-mode settings, and so on.

Performance

Once focused, shot-to-shot time typically takes about 0.7 second for RAW shots. Oddly, JPEG shooting is a much faster 0.4 second - these days there’s typically no difference between RAW and JPEG speed in dSLRs. Shooting RAW slows down after three frames and, like the 450D, maxes out at six frames; you’ll have to move to another class of camera if you take shooting your childrens’ soccer games really seriously.

Image Quality

The 1000D’s only really obvious advantage over the competition is its photo quality, which is quite good, especially at high ISO sensitivities. In general, colour and exposures are accurate (as accurate as you can get when the situation doesn’t require a spot meter), it renders a relatively broad dynamic range, and the kit lens delivers sharp photos for its class.

Conclusion

As to the first: if you crop a lot, need a spot meter, or merely want the larger LCD, then it’s worth paying a little extra for the 450D; otherwise, the 1000D will probably serve your needs well. For more information, check out our Which Canon digital SLR? feature. And if you want the best photo quality and/or need fast, low-light focus, the Canon 1000D outshines its competitors.