Canon re-enters entry-level DSLR market with 1000D

The really hot market in digital cameras right now is the cheap-as-possible entry-level DSLR market. It makes sense for a lot of consumers, who get a larger sensor, faster burst rates, and more potential flexibility for a similar cost than the highest levels of fixed-lens cameras. It definitely makes sense for the makers to push them, since once you have the body, you're entered into a system where there are tens of thousands of dollars worth of lenses to sell to you.

Canon invented this market with the 300D, but they haven't really been playing in it for the past few years. Their Rebel line is a half-notch above cameras like the Nikon D40 or Pentax K100D in price and features. To solve this, Canon kept its previous year's model in the line, dropping the price.

Until now -- Canon has released the 1000D. In Canon's nomenclature, the more digits, the more basic the camera line. There aren't too many details beyond the basic specs, but you can count on it being tiny and cheap (for a DSLR), and DPReview has an early hands-on preview.

Since this will surely be competing against the Nikon D40/D60 line, one thing of note is that the press release says it has full compatibility with all EF and EF-S lenses. The entry-level Nikons, on the other hand, do not autofocus with many older lenses.