Canon Eos 1000d vs Eos 500d

nowayout1

Hey I'm interested into getting into photography as a hobby, I'm currently looking at the Canon Eos 1000D as a Christmas/birthday present from my family as I'm hard to get something for and my birthday is 4 days after christmas (Dec. 29th) kill two birds with one stone I guess.

I was telling my family and with the Eos 1000D doesn't have a video mode my family have been saying to get a version with a video function on it, after looking I noticed the Eos 500D has got video and a few extras like bigger screen, more mega-pixels.

My auntie is currently in America visiting friends and was advised she could get one cheaper than here from a camera specialist over here in a shop. I noticed on amazon.com the 500D comes with a 18-55mm IS lens and over here it doesn't and only comes with a normal lens, the IS lens version retails here at €739 compared to $699 (€524) would I be better to get it from America than here? Me and my family are pitching into get a camera for me.

It'd be a pleasure if someone could advise me on this matter.

5uspect

Spend your cash on good lenses and not camera bodies.

The 1000D is a good camera but quite basic. The 500D is, as you've noticed, more feature rich, but still somewhat basic in the grand scheme of things.

Ultimately tho you'll get great results with both cameras. All that really matters is exposure, aperture, ISO and composition. ISO (gain) is a function of the camera's sensor and should be similar between the two cameras. Aperture is a function of your lens. Good lenses are sharper wide open and typically open wider letting in more light.

Do you think you'll actually use video?

If you get it from the States the only technical difference is that the charger will have a two pin plug. Also the warranty is probably only valid in the US, tho you can buy additional warranties.

gloobag

Get the 500D/550D.

My girlfriend has the 1000D, and while it's perfectly capable of taking an excellent photo there are a few issues with it.

It's LCD screen is tiny and awful, it's auto focus system is horrendous and it's high ISO performance is pretty bad, rendering it near useless in low light situations.

5uspect

Heh, screen size, and size in general, is something you notice a lot as you upgrade cameras.

The 350D


The 1000D


7D


When I got my first DSLR, a 350D, I was amazed by the size of the screen compared to my crappy little point and shoot. Then over the years I started seeing people with other SLRs with humungus screens but I was happy with my 350D. Then I got a 7D and now I find if difficult to pick up the 350D without feeling that the screen is like a postage stamp.

The same applies to the viewfinder but you won't notice a real difference with xxxxD and xxxD bodies in this department.

One of the best things to do is go to a shop and try some cameras out, heck you may even get a good deal from a bricks and mortar.