We’ve seen some great-quality, well-spec’d mid-range Digital SLR cameras over the past few months (Canon’s 600D and Sony’s a55 both spring to mind), so it took us a little while to adjust our expectations of the new entry-level Canon EOS 1100D appropriately. With solid yet largely uninspiring specs, it doesn’t immediately inspire acclaim, but one look at the price does a lot to bring us around to this competent first-timers’ DLSR. At less than half the price of the 600D, this camera is definitely cut-down, but not so much that it can’t potentially capture great images and decent video. For a relatively inexpensive camera, the 1100D does a lot right — its 12.2MP sensor is a good size and in combination with the default 18-55mm image stabilised lens, it can capture good-quality, clear RAW images at 200 ISO. Noise does start to intrude above that, first becoming visible in closeup at 400 ISO, but not really becoming an issue until 800 and above, so it’s pretty typical of budget DSLRs. Likewise, video is generally decent (limited to 720p/25fps), but with an extremely slow live preview autofocus, you’ll want to be pretty handy with manual focusing. Which brings us to this camera’s main issue: Sony’s a33 DSLR occupies the same price point, has a larger (14.2MP sensor) and excellent, innovative movie capture with rapid focus and 1080i/720p recording. For still shots, the difference is admittedly negligible, but for those with an interest in movies, we know which one we’d choose.
