Canon EOS 1000D / Rebel XS 10.1 MP Digital SLR Camera - Black (Body Only)

The Canon EOS 1000D DSLR camera is a very classy digital camera. First I would like to mention I am not a professional photographer, but my brother is and he recommended it to me, amongst some websites. My intended use for this DSLR camera is specifically astrophotography. I am wanting to buy a 10" telescope soon and having a DSLR camera was essential to connecting it into the telescope looking through the eyepiece to take photos of astrophysical objects.

Due to my intentions, I looked for features such as the ability to select an ISO of at least 100 (less would be even more preferable, but ISO 100 seems to be the minimum), thus reducing noise induced in long exposures. Another feature I looked for was Live View, allowing you to see what the photo will look like on the screen before you take it, taking into account your settings such as ISO, aperture, shutter speed, etc. Canon DSLR cameras are also known by astrophotographers to be better than Nikon DSLR cameras for their higher signal-to-noise ratio, a feature that has been part of Canon cameras for many years.

This camera provides all those features plus a great starter lens (18mm-55mm, from wide-angle to about 2x optical zoom, with Image Stabilizer, Auto-Focus and Manual-Focus settings) for a great price. Argos in the UK currently have this camera for £399 or so but I found it on eBay refurbished by Canon with a free 4GB SDHC memory card for a mere £330 including delivery. This is a stunning price for such an amazing product!
I of course bought a 16GB SDHC memory card to provide an extreme capacity, particularly handy for astrophotography. Alongside this I got a remote switch cable to allow me to take photos without touching (shaking) the camera, also allowing me to set the exposure time to "BULB" (unlimited, as long as the shutter button is pressed down) and take exposures of whatever amount of time I like.

The camera's maximum resolution is 10 MegaPixels. Don't be fooled by cheaper cameras which boast about it being able to take photos of 12 MegaPixels or even more - if this is all they are able to boast about, you're not buying a serious piece of photographing equipment. Granted even Canon make better DSLR cameras than this one, but you'll pay for it, literally. £330 to £399 for this camera is a stunning price. You may even purchase any EF or EF-S lens from Canon (or other lenses such as those from Nikon, with use of an adapter!) to expand your uses.

Features I'd have liked in this camera are video capability (oddly this camera can't take videos) and I'd have also liked the lens to provide more optical zoom (at least 5x). I was used to my old Fujifilm S5700 compact digital camera which had 10x optical zoom and was able to take videos, but the camera was useless for astrophotography. Despite this, I consider this camera a big upgrade over my previous one.

I would definitely recommend purchasing this camera but only if you're interested in professional photography for a decent price and don't have an issue with not being able to take videos (for video capabilities, the Canon EOS 450D is worth looking into!). For better optical zoom, you can just buy a different lens (this is the beauty of DSLR cameras!). If you're into astrophotography and want a good DSLR camera, this is certainly the product for you. Just read around (http://www.astropix.com) and you'll see it's a great product, particularly for the price.

This camera is ideal for anyone taking their first step into digital SLR photography. I've owned numerous Canon compacts over the last few years and have always been pleased with the results but wanted the flexibility and better image quality of an SLR camera. I spent months researching cameras on the internet to fit in with my restricted budget and eventualy took the plunge and bought the EOS 1000D.

I bought it for a number of reasons. Foremost it is aimed at the amatuer and is very easy to use. I haven't read the manual but can work all functions due to my experience with Canon compacts and the easy to use menu systems.

Secondly I wanted a camera that came with a decent kit lens that included image stabalisation. You will love the quality from the included 3 x IS lens. I've taken some stunning portraits with it. Probably the best kit lens from any manufacturer out there in the amatuer market.

Bottom line is a camera that does what it says on the tin! 10 MP resolution, low noise, high ISO, fast 3 frames per second shooting, easy auto settings, full manual control and live view if you really need it. Perfect for the beginner to digital SLR and it won't cost you a fortune. This camera won best digital SLR award 2008. Check the review sites. "Steves digicams " is my favourite site.

Happy hunting and I hope you buy one. You will not be dissapointed!

After trying a second hand 1000D/Rebel XS, I was surprised at the ease of use and quality of photos that were being produced from a camera at this price. This means a lot especially as I am an owner of the 550D, which has 80% more megapixels. If you are after a camera which produces great depth to photos and you are a beginner photographer, don't only look to the number of megapixels a camera has. One of the most important elements is the lens in front of the camera. This will define your image quality even at a pixelcount of half of what I'm used to. Of course your creative eye counts for a lot as well.

One of the disadvantages I've seen is that when holding the camera, it's not as grippy in the hands as a higher level DSLR, though I could still take steady shots one-handed, especially as this camera is one of the first to come with Canons' Image Stabilized kit lens. The only other con, is that sometimes I found it hard to navigate the onscreen settings, as I found that all of the settings have a specific button, and there's no way of navigating a cursor to them, as far as I could tell. However after using the camera for a week, a user will be well versed in the controls and will be able to navigate them quickly and easily.

This camera has functions such as light optimization, high ISO noise reduction, a 'My Menu' custom menu, quite and advanced live view mode, and other functions which I didn't actually expect from such an old and budget camera. Also the buttons are very easy to press and the scrollwheel easy to turn. This product is 9/10 in my opinion, for the price. A perfect camera which has all the basic functions a beginner photographer would want so that they can learn DSLR photography.

I decided to buy this camera after the novelty of point & shoot compacts with their fiddly little buttons had worn off-Ok so slipping in the pocket is all very well and image quality is ok if that is want you want but DSLR's put you in a different world with their low light picture taking capabilities and speed of taking photographs being just two things in particular
I used to have 35mm SLR's and decided Canon was by far the best and most reliable and I am pleased with the 1000D .With its Kit lens (EF 18-55 with or without the image stabilising)it is light and easy to carry about.
For those of you who are used to 'point & shoot'and like the lcd for picture taking & composing this camera has a 'live view' screen which some other manufacturers don't.The menu and control system is very intuitive and although new adopters to DSLR's can find things intimidating there is a simple auto everything button to choose which is quick and reliable.The autofocus is very quick.
If you buy one of these cameras 2nd hand be sure to get the 2 CD discs for the software(which is brilliant)the instructions (although these can be d/loaded ) the Charger and usb camera to computer leads.

Where do you start with this camera. Well if you are new to Photography, Click it to "Auto" and you will get the photo's you wanted. If you are looking for more advanced setting, to get more creative with your shots, the low f4.5 aperture will get you nice blurred backgrounds for the nice portrait making your main focus pop off the page. Personally I do not like the sports mode, either I still haven't got used to tracking the main focus -say a car- or I'm incredibly shaky. I would probs say the best bet is that it's both of them... any ways I'm rambling on.

I recommend this camera for first time buyers to semi professionals. Menu layout is perfect. Settings and easy to get to and change. Best camera I've purchased so far. You will not go wrong with it.