If you are a newbie to digital single-lens reflex (dSLR) cameras, you may want to check out Canon’s EOS 1000D Kit which comes with the EFS 18-55 f/3.5-3.6 IS zoom lens. Claimed to be Canon’s “easiest EOS ever”, the package comprises the camera body, lens, battery, charger, wide strip, video interface and USB 2.0 cables, solutions software and driver CD, and a manual and guide book.

Save for a memory card, the package is sufficient to get a beginner started. Equipped with a 10.1-megapixel APS-C size complementary metal-oxide semiconductor sensor, each high-resolution photo will need substantial storage space. Due to this, the EOS 1000D is designed to support Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) cards apart from regular SD cards. For amateur dSLR photographers, you might want to invest in SDHC as you will likely take many shots to familiarise yourself with the dSLR’s capabilities.

Capturing photos is fast with the EOS 1000D. This model kickstarts itself at 0.1 second. It boasts a maximum shutter speed of up to 1/4,000 second and X-sync speed of 1/200 second.

The camera comes with Auto Lighting Optimiser function which corrects your image’s brightness and contrast level when shooting in bright or low-light conditions. Other features include three types of metering mode (evaluative, partial and centre-weighted average), eight white balance settings and flexible ISO speed.

Shooting is also made easy with the EOS 1000D’s seven-point autofocus. As you peer into the viewfinder, you will see the points of focus light up when you half-press on the shutter – just click on it if it hits the object you wish to capture. If you are capturing a moving object, the AF sensor will help you keep the subject in focus and sharp.

With the Live View feature, you can stick to the method you are used to when you use your old point-and-shoot. It lets you rely on the camera’s 2.5-inch thin-film transistor LCD and captures exactly what you see. For a better-composed photo, you can use the Grid Display feature which gives you a three-by-three grid line on screen – this feature is useful to capture landscapes.

With a built-in DIGIC III processor, you can shoot in burst mode to capture action shots at three frames per second. The flash module also works well in low-light conditions. In Full Auto mode, it pops up whenever there is insufficient light on the subject you focused on, but in other modes it will be dormant unless you switch it on.

Once you get the hang of these modes, it will not be too daunting to venture into creative modes such as Program AE, Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority, Manual Exposure and Depth-of-field AE. Also, set the lens dial to Manual so that you have more freedom in composing your shots. There is no need to worry about the camera’s battery as it can last for a number of shots before needing a recharge.

You can capture images in JPEG or RAW format. Or you can opt to shoot a frame and save it in both formats so that you have more flexibility when you edit the photos later. Transferring photos to your PC should not be a problem as you can load your memory card into a card reader or use the driver software and USB 2.0 interface cable.

Although the camera’s EF-S 17-85 lens is primarily suitable for general photography, you can add other EF lenses such as the EF-S 10-22 for wide-angle shots, EF-S 55-250mm for extra zoom and EF-S 60mm for high-speed shooting and macro shots. Apart from lens, the EOS 1000D also comes with flash hotshoe on which you can attach more advanced flash units.

The EOS 1000D supports PictBridge, Direct Print and Bubble Jet Direct standards and complies to Design rule for Camera File System 2.0 and Exif 2.21 formats. The solutions bundled with the package also let you edit, add effects and control the layout of your printouts.

Another value-added feature that many beginners will appreciate is the EOS Integrated Cleaning System. Although the camera body and lens come with caps, dust and dirt will still find its way into the internal components. With the smart cleaning system, beginners need not worry as the sensor comes with anti-static coating and a sensor cleaning mechanism is triggered every time the camera is powered on or off.

As the EOS 1000D is targeted at beginners, Canon adds value to this package by giving users a lot of room to grow. There are many accessories, including remote switch and car battery charger that you can add on later.