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This story was printed from CNET Asia.
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How to select the right Canon dSLR

By Leonard Goh
09/07/2009
URL: http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/digitalcameras/0,39001469,62050246,00.htm


The EOS 5D Mark II is the world's first dSLR with full HD-video recording feature.
One of the two big daddies in the camera business, Canon has a rich heritage of making SLRs since 1959, with the Canonflex being the first. However, it was its debut EOS camera, the EOS 650, which started it all. Not everyone knows this, but EOS stands for Electro-Optical System, and in Greek mythology, Eos is the goddess of dawn. This format uses the EF lens mount which is still in use today in the company's highest-end dSLR. Lenses which were manufactured 20 years ago are still compatible with today's camear. A subset of the EF-mount, the EF-S, was introduced in 2003 to accommodate dSLRs with crop factors.

Canon has come a long way since its first dSLR, the D2000, was showcased in 1998. Its shooters are trusted and used by professional photographers, and its track record remained good. Last year, its anticipated EOS 5D Mark II raised the benchmark by incorporating a full-HD video-recording function. This has set a new standard for other brands to follow.

Some key innovations which Canon has pioneered include the optical image stabilizer (IS) and Ultra Sonic Motor (USM) lenses. Optical IS works by calculating the movements detected and shifting the lens elements in different planes to compensate. This helps prevent bluriness from handshake. USM lenses focus quickly and smoothly, but the most distinct trait would be their extremely silent operation. Today, Canon has incorporated these two features into its entry-level optics.

Click here to see Canon's compact shooters.


Click on the images to find out more about the camera.



Canon EOS 1000D



This 10-megapixel entry-level dSLR is the most affordable in Canon's lineup. To lower cost of production, the body is made of plastic. It uses the common SD/SDHC cards for storage and has almost similar features to the slightly higher-end EOS 450D except for the resolution, burst mode frame rate and LCD size.

Target audience: First-time dSLR buyers and those who want to upgrade from a point-and-shoot.
Lens mount: EF-S and EF
Price: S$1,099 (US$809.14) (with 18-55mm EF-S lens)

Read the EOS 1000D's review here.


Click on the images to find out more about the camera.



Canon EOS 500D



The EOS 500D may belong to the entry-level category, but it is loaded with features such as full-HD video recording and a high-resolution display, features typically found in midrange dSLRs. Canon has also ramped up the maximum ISO sensitivity to 12,800, though we found the camera to perform best at ISO 1,600 and below.

Target audience: Amateur shutterbugs who want an affordable dSLR that can record high-definition video clips.
Lens mount: EF-S and EF
Related model: EOS 450D
Price: S$1,399 (US$1,030.02) (with 18-55mm EF-S lens)

Read the EOS 500D's review here.


Click on the images to find out more about the camera.



Canon EOS 50D



The latest model in Canon's semi-pro lineup, the 15-megapixel EOS 50D boasts the company's latest technology such as the DIGIC 4 imaging processor. The maximum ISO sensitivity is now at 12,800, and the 9-point autofocus system promises faster and more accurate focusing. It uses CompactFlash card for storage.

Target audience: Enthusiasts, semi-professional shutterbugs who want to extend their creativity through the expanded shooting options.
Lens mount: EF-S and EF
Related model: EOS 40D
Price: S$2,299 (US$1,692.64) (with 18-55mm EF-S lens)

Read the EOS 50D's review here.


Click on the images to find out more about the camera.



Canon EOS 5D Mark II



The camera that most photographers were anticipating for 2008, the EOS 5D Mark II, is a breakthrough for digital still cameras. The 21-megapixel full-frame snapper can record full-HD (1,920 x 1,080-pixel) videos and boasts stereo audio capture. It impressed us so much we had to award it an Editors' Choice.

Target audience: Semi-professionals and professionals who want a reliable camera for backup purposes.
Lens mount: EF only
Related model: EOS 5D
Price: S$5,899 (US$4,343.15) (with 24-105 F4 IS USM lens)

Read the EOS 5D Mark II's review here.


Click on the images to find out more about the camera.



Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III



This is Canon's flagship dSLR, boasting the highest level of performance in the company's lineup. It comes in two versions, with the EOS 1D Mark III having faster frame rates and lower resolution to cater to photojournalists. Both shooters have a built-in vertical grip and 45-point autofocus system.

Target audience: Professionals
Lens mount: EF only
Related model: Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Price: S$12,799 (US$9,423.29) for body only

Read more about the EOS 1Ds Mark III here.


Click on the images to find out more about the camera.