Took it out of the bag and within min. was taking pictures

Some of the custom settings require the manual to be close by.

Excited to get back into photography and amazed at the camara capabilities. My wife can still use it as a point-n-shoot and I can use it to get creative.

Customer Service

Purchased from Cameraworld.com and got a good product and a great price

Similar Products Used:

None

Solid body, never failed, a lot of features.

Coming with computer background, I think controls could be more ergonomic (even compared to Minolta) - ; 3 eye-points is great, but not always enough - I often resourt to turning off the feature; the manual is packed with info that sometimes is very hard to decipher (3 exposure metering modes, for ex.), but I guess this is a Canon general issue.

Pretty nice camera.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta SLRs

Easy to use. The camera has many useful options, like mid-roll rewind. The evaluative metering system works very well. Since the camera is part of the EOS line, one can has access to the robust line of very fine EOS lenses and flash units. The eye-control focus works great. I found especially useful the custom function that connected the metering to the eye-focus spot.

The ETTL flash metering is also a good option with the 380EX.

In addition, many people own this model, so there is a lot of helpful info on the Internet regarding using it.

I have been doing concert photography, where I need a spot meter. Unfortunately, the partial meter on the Elan was not accurate enough for this type of photography.

This was the first SLR I have ever used. It is an excellent camera. I now use an A2e, because of my need for spot metering. However, I miss the ability to use the Eye-controlled focus in vertical mode, as I was able to on the ElanIIe. The light weight of the camera is a bonus. I have never understood people's complaints about a lightweight camera feeling too light, i.e. "plasticy." I appreciate the scientific advances that allow me to use a stronger material in a product that somehow weighs less than its predecessor.

This camera gave me the tools to get into concert photography and shoot for actual clients.

Similar Products Used:

A2e, Rollei Prego 90

3rd.canon i have had,love the eye control and the control knobs inplace of buttons.have the 28-105.get this lenes,not the 28-80.you will be much happier with it.

none,all the talk of the camera locking up i believe is now taken care of.plus i use the bp50 pack and like the extra grip i get.

one word says it all "GREAT".if you love photography you can not go wrong with this camera.

Customer Service

never had any of my cameras in tho sevice,canon makes the best for the money

Similar Products Used:

ae-1,very old f-1,rebel

Features I want are right there, easy to access. Great value, love the BP-50 battery pack.

Wish I could change screens, and a little more solidly built, but then it would be an A2E...

Unbelievable value, so many USEFUL features can never be found for this price.

Similar Products Used:

A2E, Eos 1, Rebel G, Pentax K1000, Pentax ZXM

Lots of feature, 3 point Auto-focus in both horizontal and vertical frame, support for all Canon's EOS lens

Slow Auto Focus (may be because I am using Tamron lens), Never able to use Depth of Field button, No Panaroma, Spot metering feature. Poor build quality. Battery lid too delicate chances of breakage, No external flash cord socket.

Overall a nice camera with lot of features, good for amature/beginners. Lack good build quality

Customer Service

Never tried or Not available in India.

Similar Products Used:

Nil.

Accurate metering. Fast AF. Beautifully laid out controls. Handles like a dream. ECF works great.

No spot metering.

This is a beautiful camera, and value for money. Exposure has always been accurate for me, and it handles like a dream with the BP-50 battery pack.

Customer Service

Excellent.

Similar Products Used:

EOS-5, EOS-300, EOS-3

Excellent autofocus, I can finally get good shots of flowers while they are blowing around in the wind! Good ergonomics. I tried the Rebel and it's too small for my hands. The Elan feels solid. I like the Ultrasonic lenses a lot. They are quiet and fast.

So many features! How do you remember them all? I have put over 40 rolls of film through this baby since I bought it, and I'm still learning. But I guess you can't complain when the vendor gives you more features!

I read up a lot and picked this unit inspite of the dreaded battery problem. After reading all the complaints and talking to the store owner, I am convinced this is a battery size problem. Stick with Sanyo replacements and there are no issues. There is a lot of talk in the reviews about the lenses, pro and con. I have the stock kit lens (28-80 zoom) and it's fine. Yes you can spend a lot more and get a better lens. I think that's great. Canon offers a complete line of lenses in all price ranges. Naturally, you get wheat you pay for, but at least you can play even if you're not rich. Considering there's a motor built into every lens the prices are quite reasonable compared to Nikon.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Exacta, Canon EF

ease of use
auto focus
auto program modes very useful

loss of power
not very durable

This is a very good camera for getting started and then letting you expaned into more advanced photography. From reading the other reviews the loss of power seems to be a real problem. It happens far to often and it ruins that picture. I thought it was my camera but clearly there is a manufacturing problem. Has anyone gotten this fixed and is Cannon doing anything about it?

Similar Products Used:

nikon N70, nikon 2000, nikon fe2

1.Well laid out knobs. Instead of having to press a button and select using the main dial, now, u just twist and select the function directly. Intuitive and very simple to use.

2.Wide range of features

3.Eye control function (ECF). Some say it's a waste of $$, but for USD50 more, it's more useful than wasteful.

3.Thumb wheel on film back. Used to control exposure level.

4.A touch of aluminium to add a more solid feel.

5.E-TTL with EX flashes

6.Many accompanying accessories. BP50 is a must!

7.Mirror lock-up, which can also be activated using remote control RC1. Impt function for close-ups. I hv tested RC1 from 10m (33ft) and it still works. Incredible!

8. Well-designed. Probably the best designed Canon body so far. (It's launched in 1995 and is still popular today)

1.Requires nifty fingers when stopping down (pressing shutter release button and turning main dail). The thumb wheel shud be used instead. Canon designers - are u reading??

2.ECF DOF function not always easily activated. Have to 'dance' my eyeballs at the upper left corner before it activates. A seperate button, not using AE lock button (which is currently the case)wud be nice.

3.insuff eye relief on viewfinder. Just try a Nikon to see wat I mean.

4.Shud hv a LCD backlight (like the casio watches) function.
Useful when u're in a concert and it's dark!

Was using Minolta 505si extensively for less than a year before I outgrew it. Made a big switch to Canon system and this model is my first. I'm confident that the features will suffice most growing amateurs or even semi-pros needs for a while.

Features aside - and on performance, I often caution myself not to rate a body by itself. The lens plays an impt role (if not more impt), and performance can only be rated by the body/lens pair.

For to-be-buyers, forget the Canon 28-80mm V USM f/3.5-5.6 lens which comes as a kit (which I got and regret). Optics at all focal lengths is soft (ie not sharp), built is poor (plasticky) and it's made in Taiwan. I guess the adage that old lenses over the generations tend to be more and more 'short changed' holds true.

Features wise, it's first rate. If u are not convinced that the features are not well laid out, just compare it with a Nikon N70. The menu is completely baffling.

Customer Service

Not used

Similar Products Used:

Minolta Dynax 505si
Nikon N70