Introduction Canon's EOS 1000D is an SLR digital camera that's ideal for those upgrading from a compact camera for the first time. The EOS 1000D makes it easy to transition to the next level of photography without compromising the quality for which DSLR cameras are known.

DiG!C III Image Processor Built with Canon's own DiG!C III Image Processor, the EOS 1000D is a powerful camera. This processor functions as the brain of the EOS 1000D, delivering 12-bit colour and photos with rich, sharp details. The power of the DiG!C III Image Processor is what gives the EOS 1000D its increased responsiveness, making for more intuitive operation, which is helpful to first-time SLR digital camera users.

10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor A 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor combines with the DiG!C III to provide the amazing image quality offered by the Canon EOS 1000D. The CMOS, which stands for complementary metal oxide semiconductor, has more pixels than any camera in its class. There is low noise, even when shooting at high ISO speeds, and you get vivid, natural colours.

Live View Users can compose their shots on the 2.5" LCD screen using the camera's Live View Function. For help centering your shots, you can enable the grid overlay function. Grid overlay is an excellent tool for photographing the horizon.

Speed Not every subject is going to be as still as a bowl of fruit on the table. A photographer needs speed in order to capture action shots and wildlife. The EOS 1000D can shoot up to 3 frames per second in bursts of up to 5 RAW files or 514 JPEGs. With the combination of minimal shutter lag, a near-instant startup time of 0.1 seconds and fast autofocus, users will never miss that perfect spontaneous shot.

Lightweight and compact The EOS 1000D is the lightest DSLR ever made by Canon. It's compact and lightweight, with a body weighing only 450g and measuring 126.1 x 97.5 x 61.9mm.With the 1000D, Canon has made digital SLR photography portable.

Picture Style Settings The EOS 1000D comes with six preset Picture Style settings, such as portrait and landscape. Simply select the style that fits your shot, and the EOS 1000D will automatically optimise settings such as contrast and saturation. You can build your Picture Style library with additional downloadable "Picture Style Files" offered by Canon.

Lens compatibility The EOS 1000D is an excellent base point for branching out into various types and styles of photography. It's compatible with more than 60 EF and EF-S lenses. Users can try their hand at everything from tight close-ups with a telephoto lens to sweeping landscapes with an ultra-wide angle lens.

Conclusion The 1000D comes on the heels of the 20th anniversary of Canon's EOS line of digital SLR cameras. Canon continues to build upon the success of the EOS family by developing new technology for taking perfect pictures with ease. Canon has definitely achieved that goal with the EOS 1000D, which pairs speed and image quality to make a DLSR camera that's both powerful and user-friendly.

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About Canon Canon New Zealand is a leading provider of advanced, simple-to-use imaging solutions for businesses and consumers. Canon has ranked among the top-three US patent recipients for the past 15 years, and had global revenues of around $US39 billion in 2007. Canon New Zealand also operates Canon Finance New Zealand, which offers one-stop shopping for customers wanting leasing or finance services. For more information, visit www.canon.co.nz