I pitted my son’s 1000D against my Canon 1DS MK 111 and the results really surprised me!
The contenders
Canon 1000D with 18-55mm kit lens
Weight 450gms
Original cost $695
Raw File Size 9.8MB
Canon 1DSMK 111
Weight 1210gms
Original cost $8200
Raw File size 25MB
New photographers and enthusiasts often ask me: which is the best camera to buy and with what lens? My reply is always the same.
Firstly, I believe the best investment should be in the photographer not the gear. Before you go out and spend thousands on cameras and lenses I think everyone should invest some time in really learning the craft. Enrol in a photography course or reading blogs, books, listening to podcasts and doing an online course, can do this.
Secondly, buy a good quality second hand camera over a cheap lesser quality new camera and invest in the best lenses you can afford.
An entry-level camera with a good quality lens will take better images than a pro level camera with cheap lenses on it. It’s all about the glass!
I turn over my cameras every three years and have used the same lenses for the last 10 years.
So while you are starting out you don’t need to buy the latest and greatest. In fact if you are mostly sharing your work via social media, and not intending to enlarge your images any bigger than the standard 6”x4”, then there is not a huge difference between files.
I knew the Canon 1000D entry level camera and kit lenses were pretty good but I never realized just how good until I ran a comparison with my big boy the Canon 1DSMK 111.
The image on the left was taken with my Canon 1DSMK 111 and 70-200mm L series lens at 70mm focal range, F 5.6 @ 1/125th sec
The image on the right was taken using the Canon 1000D with 18-55mm lens at 55mm focal range, F 5.6 @ 1/125th sec.
The entry level 1000D has a smaller (crop) sensor than the pro 1dsMK111 (full frame). The biggest difference between full frame and crop sensor is their field of view.
The 1000D at a focal length of 55mm will capture the same image area as a 1DSMK 111 with a 70mm focal length taken at the same distance from the subject.
When I compared the two shots the only difference that really stands out to me is skin tone. The 1000D had a slight green tint. Aside from that, I was very impressed with the sharpness and detail produced by the 1000D.
