Nikon D5000 (with 18-55mm lens)

Though it falls short in its design, the Nikon D5000 delivers a nice feature set, speedy performance, and great photo quality for the money.

Product summary

The good: Very good photo quality; fast; video capture; articulated LCD; nice kit lens; built-in wireless flash controller.

The bad: Small, dim viewfinder; middling video quality; too easy to accidentally change focus points.

The bottom line: Though it falls short in its design, the Nikon D5000 delivers a nice feature set, speedy performance, and great photo quality for the money.

Price range: $769.95 – $893.99 Compare Price Here

Canon EOS Rebel T1i (with 18-55mm IS lens)

A solid, slightly better-than-basic DSLR, the Canon EOS Rebel T1i delivers photo quality and performance that adequately compensates for most of itsannoyances.

The good: Fast performance; very nice photo quality; HD video capture.

The bad: Annoying viewfinder; video capture is its only better-than-basic feature.

The bottom line: A solid, slightly better-than-basic dSLR, the Canon EOS Rebel T1i delivers photo quality and performance that adequately compensates for most of its annoyances.

Price range: $774.95 – $899.99Compare Price Here

Canon EOS Rebel XSi (with 18-55mm lens, black)

It doesn’t stand out for its feature set or design, but the Canon EOS Rebel XSi delivers on performance and photo quality.

The good: Excellent photo quality for its class; better-than-average speed.

The bad: Maximum ISO 1600; huge spot-for-spot metering.

The bottom line: It doesn’t stand out for its feature set or design, but the Canon EOS Rebel XSi delivers on performance and photo quality.

Price range: $609.00 – $806.10 Compare Price Here

Nikon D3000 (with 18mm-55mm lens)

Its feature set is basic even by entry-level standards, but the Nikon D3000 delivers the photo quality and performance you expect when stepping up to a dSLR, with an optional interface that’s very newbie friendly.

The good: Beginner-friendly Guide mode; nicely laid out interactive control panel; solid photo quality up through ISO 1,600.

The bad: Extremely basic feature set; annoying multiselector switch.

The bottom line: Its feature set is basic even by entry-level standards, but the Nikon D3000 delivers the photo quality and performance you expect when stepping up to a dSLR, with an optional interface that’s very newbie friendly.

Price range: $526.74 – $599.99 Compare Price Here

Canon Rebel XS (black, with 18-55mm lens)

The Canon EOS Rebel XS is a good entry-level dSLR, but only its photo quality stands out among the competition.

The good: Excellent photo quality for its class; solid performance.

The bad: Maximum ISO of 1600; no spot meter; annoying, in-viewfinder, focus-point display.

The bottom line: The Canon EOS Rebel XS is a good entry-level dSLR, but only its photo quality stands out among the competition.

Price range: $489.95 – $699.00 Compare Price Here

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