First SLR, 1000d or 450d?

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danwatson

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I'm after my first SLR, should hopefully be buying it in about 2 weeks when I get paid.

After looking in depth into both the 450d and 1000d, I just can't make my mind up which I should go for! The differences don't seem that big, and as a first time SLR from what I've read, won't really have much effect on me unless I want to shoot high speed in RAW? I'd probably be saving myself around £70 too... But obviously the price gap isn't there for nothing! I'd really like to hear your thoughts about both cameras, because I don't really know what i'm on about, and could really do with help from someone with a bit of experience. :D

Any other camera suggestions would be good too at around the same price (or preferably) cheaper, as money is a bit of a struggle!

Cheers. :)
 
IIRC the 400D was at Sainsburys for £199 a week or so ago, if that helps :thumbs:
 
Have you actually held the cameras you talk about?
comfort in the hands is an important factor inthe purchase as any DSLR can take the picture be it Nikon, Canon, Sony, Fuji, Pentax, Olympus.

The important thing is to go and play with bodies to see which fit you.
 
I agree with PSI about handling first, a must do.

If money is a struggle, take a look at Pentax K100D's or if you want a little more, the Samsung GX-10, a pentax K10D rebadged.

The advantage of this route is that all pentax K bayonet fittings are compatible, meaning you can get old film lenses second hand nice and cheap.

But, money aside, go with the one you'll be comfortable holding. You need to like using it and its interfaces.
 
I've held both and both feel comfortable, the 450d probably feeling a bit heavier and more expensive with the rubber and thumb grip, but that is something i'd be willing to compromise for the sake of £70 and features I won't really use!

But the 400D doesn't have live view does it? I think if i purchased something without live view, i'd be soon enough wanting to upgrade, so this is probably a key feature for me.

From what I understand, the 1000d matches the 400d all around apart from the 1000d having 7 pont AF and 400d having 9 point AF?

What are the main reasons I should get a 450d over a 1000d?
Argghh I just cant decide. :bang:
Why is it people don't see the 1000d as a comparison to the 400d or 450d?
 
I don't have live view and don't 'miss' it. Cant see that i'd buy a camera just for live view personally. Am I also right in thinking that the 1000D only has 7 AF points, compared to 9 on the 400/450. Not sure how much real world difference this makes, but I change my AF point a lot when I'm shooting.
 
This may be a stupid question, but can you view your photographs on the 400d after you've taken them, or only when you put the card into a computer?
 
Live view lets you see on screen what is visible through the viewfinder. Without live view you can still see the shots, see all the data, histogram, blown bits, etc. And you can zoom in and pan etc. But only on the shots taken, not live, if you get what I mean :)
 
to clarify, definition of live view = what you would see through the viewfinder is shown on the LCD at the time of shooting.

Viewing the pictures back on the LCD is seperate to live view.
 
Having had a bridge camera (hence screen was on all the time) I much prefer looking through a proper optical view finder. You simply can't see if something is in focus or otherwise on an LCD.
 
IMHO, the 1000D is a waste of space.

Go for the 450D fella.
 
Little Man said:
IMHO, the 1000D is a waste of space.

Go for the 450D fella.
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agreed about the 1000D, there are very few points that merit it over the 450D or even the 400D.
The 450D is a nice camera, but go and hold it in the shop and get a feel for it..I did this this evening and decided I'm getting a Nikon, feels better. I've just sent my Sony back today because it wasn't comfortable for me, so comfort is key and the specs will fall in to place themselves (unless you have a specific need such as sports photography etc.)
 
Thanks for the input everyone. :)

What about the 400d then, seems a really good camera for the money, and I can imagine it feels similar to the 450 and 1000.

Would you recommend a 400d over a 1000d? Or is there a Nikon with the same spec. around the same price (or cheaper)?
 
The 400D is older, it's getting cheaper now, but that doesn't deny the fact that it's a cracking little entry-level camera.

Whether you buy a 400D or a 450D, you'll get a great camera.

I'd side-step the 1000D, but that's just my opinion. With the 450D, you'll have plenty of time before the new one comes out (whenever it does) and you'll have a nice new camera to tinker with.

Plus, with the 450D, you have 2MP more, you get some other little trick bits like Live View, and also the DIGIC 3 processor.
 
I have the 450D - bought a few weeks ago and love it.

Do it - you know it makes sense ......
 
And when you eventually choose what you're going to buy, also buy the 50mm f/1.8 II lens (commonly known as the Nifty Fifty), you'll never look back. :thumbs:
 
Trev Rich said:
If you dont get the 450d.. you will want to upgrade to it soon.. get it now and save time and money.
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how true is that!! i bought a nikon d40 and a 18-200mm vr thinking it would be all i would ever need, 3 months later i bought a nikon d300 and fast glass and wished i had gone for it in the first place, you will save money in the long run
 
450D is definitly the camera to have out of all your suggestions.

Shop around, you can get some good deals.

Mine came with the kit lens, and a Tamron 70-300, plus a 4 gig card at a nice price.
 
Hi,

I would choose the 450D over the 1000D anyday!! The 1000D is a bit of an oddball as it lacks several great features that the 450 comes with and the 450 is not really that much dearer to argue against in terms of pricing(I would understand if it was another £200 more than the 1000D). I prefer the larger 3" screen and the 12.2 mega pixels and the 9 AF points and faster(only by half) 3.5 FPS.

Take a look in this months Photoplus magazine and you'll see a detailed user review section covering the 1000D and the 450D not to mention other models in the Canon consumer lineup for someone looking into buying their first digital SLR from using a digital compact camera-the 450D gets the winning vote!!-No surprises there then!!!

Let us know how you get on.

Michael.
 
The 100D is supposedly the entry level dSLR for Canon - trouble is they priced its RRP at a level thats above what the internet and high street stores are selling 450d at. The 1000d might have a few features, but these are mainly gimics and not something you really want or need iof you are going to be fairly serious about photography.

Remeber that the 450d was something oike £700 RRP, take advantage of the dropping prices through competition and thecredit crunch and buy it over the 1000d.

YOu could always look at used ones - 400 and 450d come up regularly on the for sale section here, you might just get a lightly used example with a few extas for less than a new 450d kit.
 
Live view is not something I'd look for in a DSLR. You'll find yourself using the viewfinder just about all the time.

I was looking into my first SLR back in June - the 400D was my main choice, but I found it quite cramped in my large hands.

Someone in the camera shop pursuaded me to have a go on a second hand 30D - the next series up from the 350/400/450 and I loved it. It felt so much more solid and professional.

A bit of shopping around and I found one second hand for £350 including the stock 18-55 lens. Love it to bits now!


My advice would be to have a play with several cameras in the shop and make your choice based on what feels good for you. And don't get fooled by the high megapixel > all throught train - I'd much rather have my 8mp 30D than a 10mp 400D :)
 
Weetobix said:
Live view is not something I'd look for in a DSLR. You'll find yourself using the viewfinder just about all the time.
Click to expand...

This weekend just gone I had been using a dSLR for 3 weeks (from never using one before), without using a PaS in the interim. I sent the Sony A200 back for a camera with more features because I've got a bit of extra cash, and had my heart set on a 450D.

Then I went to my Mums on the weekend and picked up her Olympus PaS (sans viewfinder) and felt rather silly trying to take a picture by putting the camera to my eye (yes...I did actually put the LCD screen momentarily to my eye :$ :lol:), and then when I realised my gaff, it felt rather awkward using the LCD screen to take a picture :shrug:
So I though ok the 450D is a good camera anyway, I'll still get that. Then I looked through the viewfinder of a Nikon D80 with its glorious 0.94x magnification and thought 'I have to have this camera'

As you say Weetobix, don't buy a camera for its liveview (if it has it though, bonus)
 
Okay after a bit of thinking, i've decided i'm going to have to go a little older and cheaper - probably the 350d. I've read a lot of reviews suggesting the 350d isn't much different to the 400d...

I know everyone will say I'll want to upgrade soon, but I really don't think I will, and with my lack of money, I won't be able to anyway!

What are the main flaws of the 350d compared to a newer camera, such as the 1000 or 450?
 
blimey there seems to be some real "interesting" opinion related to the 1000d on here.

I was after a 450d but missed out on the cashback, which in itself caused the current distinct shortage problem (try getting a 450d for decent money now).

Instead I found a brand-new 1000d (inc Kit-lens etc) for £269. Almost a £200saving on the current 450d pricing.

Having looked at both models quite extensively, I concluded that the 1000d is just a factory-nobbled 450d. It is perfectly adequate for my needs (and isn't that the most important thing after all?). It has an identical sensor and lens to that of the 450d. It has identical IQ. I shoot in JPEG mostly so don't need to stress over the RAW fps disadvantage in continuous mode. 7 AF points is fine for what I need (I'm not a pro sports tog - if I was I wouldn't be buying either body). I can get round the lack of IR port for remote triggering quite easily, using a £20 remote kit off ebay. Finally, 10mp is more than enough for me, and thanks to the Nifty-Fifty I don't have any trouble in low-light (in fact, I don't really have any issues to complain about with the kit-lens either).

I had an extensive look on Flickr at pics taken with both cameras. There were numerous examples of pictures taken with the 1000d that I only wish I had the skill to have taken myself. Which leads me to conclude:

Both would be a perfect choice for ANY beginner. The only seperator (imho) would be the financial outlay. For me it was a no-brainer considering the price I got mine for.
 
I recently bought my first DSLR, for me it was a choice between the Nikon D60 and 1000d. I had my heart set on the D60, but after trying both in the shop I came away with the 1000d, I found the D60 very awkward to hold and operate. I've found the 1000d to be far better than the person operating it (me!) so far, although the kit lens isn't so suitable for the camera's main use which is motorsport photography. So I'd definately recommend a 1000d!
 
willj said:
blimey there seems to be some real "interesting" opinion related to the 1000d on here.
Click to expand...
Exactly. Some real gunning for the 1000d here. And I'll bet most haven't even used a 1000d, let alone owned one.
The real question is whether the extra features of the 450d are worth it. And that is going to differ greatly for each user. But we're talking beginners here, not those in the know.
I think the differences have been exaggerated too (or perhaps people don't actually know).
The 'key' difference areas are:2 points of Autofocus, shot rate, 2mp of resolution & 1/2" of screen. Not exactly much.
So the beginners' question stands - are those extra features really worth £130(until 2 days ago).....
 
Merovingian said:
Exactly. Some real gunning for the 1000d here. And I'll bet most haven't even used a 1000d, let alone owned one.
The real question is whether the extra features of the 450d are worth it. And that is going to differ greatly for each user. But we're talking beginners here, not those in the know.
I think the differences have been exaggerated too (or perhaps people don't actually know).
The 'key' difference areas are:2 points of Autofocus, shot rate, 2mp of resolution & 1/2" of screen. Not exactly much.
So the beginners' question stands - are those extra features really worth £130(until 2 days ago).....
Click to expand...

The key difference for me is spot metering.
 
danwatson said:
I've held both and both feel comfortable, the 450d probably feeling a bit heavier and more expensive with the rubber and thumb grip, but that is something i'd be willing to compromise for the sake of £70 and features I won't really use!
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Oh yes you will. Trust me.

I have a 400D that I use as a spare which I leave inthe boot of the car just in case. It was my main camera for a couple of years and I love it.

I also have a 50D with LiveView - I have never used the LiveView, and I'm not sure I ever will.
 
Granted, different buyers may have different priorities. But I suspect 'most' beginners will make judgements based on the more tangible differences, e.g. a bigger/smaller scree.
 
chilliz said:
The key difference for me is spot metering.
Click to expand...

But as the thread was regarding the OPs very first DSLR I'd hazard a guess that he/she wouldn't know what it was even if the camera had it / or knew how to use it to their advantage / or know when to use it to get a better pic.

My point is that either would make a great first DSLR. In fact one could argue that either would make the owner happy for a number of years.

Just look at the Flickr pic's related to both for proof of that point.
 
I personally would go for the 450D. You say that you would not a use all the features on it - but i bet you as the bug bites, you'll want to try everything.

My first DSLR was the Canon 400D and I learnt a great deal using it and getting to know all its features before moving onto the 40D.
 
Just to go against the grain here...
bought my first DSLR after years of various older 35mm's..
Went for the 1000D with the kit lens,and to begin with,was rather concerned about the 10mp vs 12 etc..
But in all honesty-Unless you plan on printing at huge sizes etc-you really wont notice..
Seen some stunning images taken on entry level camera's,and hope that one day i will be able to match them! (If not-i know its not gonna be because i bought the "inferior" model...)
Have some 30 inch poster prints from mine,and the quality is fine..
so i cant shoot "Quite" as fast,and have 2 less AF points...
Does that really matter to those with less than god-like ability?... Not at all ;)
I couldnt be happier with mine,have bought 2 new lenses,and am adding a third (500mm) ASAP.
of course-If price isnt an issue,or much difference between the two...Then the 450 wins..
but you wouldnt be dissapointed no matter which one you bought..
you'l just spend endless hours hankering after new glass for it! :D

(and am i the only person who DOES use their Live-View?....Comes in handy at times!)
 
I've been in very similar situation recentely - 1000d or 450d. I choose 450d and I don't regret this. I came out with a brilliant excuse for me - first I'll invest in a proper body (450d) and then I'll buy proper glass for it. I spent 460 on 450d and am waiting on 50£ cashback from Canon, so that's 410£. That seems like alot (for me), but 1000d wasn't that much cheaper. Also I read few reviews of both cameras and there was a difference in IQ - 1000d got 9/10 IQ (because of overexposing pictures in some circumstances), 450d got 10/10 IQ . I'm sure 9/10 for a beginner like me would be more than enough, but because the price difference wasn't that big I decided on 450d. :thumbs:
 
Go for the 450D if you can afford it, or have a look on eBay for "Canon Outlet 40D" - you could pick up a refurbished 40D with 12 months Canon warranty for only a bit more than a new 450D...
 
Well i got the 450d and regularly use spot metering, it's great if you know the subject is going to be right in the middle of the shot because it will nail the metering everytime. Also i'm sure the extra AF points are useful.
 
Hi there,

I've only just joined this forum and this topic was going to be my first post - entry level 1000D or 450D. I was leaning towards the 450D and this discussion has more or less made my mind up - thank you.
 
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