Product ReviewsCanon EOS 500D EF-S 18-55mm IS Lens 15.1MP Digital SLR Camera - Black

Canon eos 500D digital camera

Probably the most cost efective EOS camera available at the moment. Now superseeded by the 550D, the 500D is still available reconditioned, and in some cases new. The T1i or Kiss X3 is the non UK brand name with exactly the same spec as the D500 but you may need to buy an adapter to fit the charger. The 18-55mm lens is a good general purpose lens equating to the old 28-125mm film SLR lens. If you can find one with the 18-200mm lens option this is even better. With fantastic ISO ratings you can photograph in artificial light without using the flash in most cases. This means that candid portraits are easier to take at parties etc. With an extremly comprehensive selection of automatic exposure modes for portrait, landscape etc. the camera is easy to use after a few minutes with the instruction book. Having been a photographer for over 40 years this is by far the easiest camera I have used, and is excelent value for money.Read full review...

A good starter camera for those wanting to get into SLR cameras.

I bought mine from the Canon Outlet as a refurb unit, to see if i could make use of an SLR. So far the camera has performed well in many differant situations.
I have used the camera in full auto and in full manual modes. Now I am getting used to the menus and setting up the camera is now permanently in Manual.
The battery lasts well allowing for over 800 shots of large fine images. The servo focus is great for action shots, but it is not all ways accurate. Only around 50% of shots are crisp.
Obviously performance is governe by the lense attached and my best results have been obtained with a 70-200 L-series lense.
The inbuily flash is only realy useful for close up work. A dedicated flash gun is much better.
A good camera which can be purchased cheaply as a first dip into the world of Digital SLRs. And when you want a better model all the lenses will be useable on your upgrade.Read full review...

Superb value for money DSLR.

I bought this Canon refurbished EOS 500D / 18-55 IS lens because it was superb value for money from the Ebay Canon Outlet. It is as good as new, and works perfectly. It cost less than a used one! It is small(ish), fairly light and fits nicely in the hand. Dislikes - well, can't think of any! Perhaps the continuous burst rate is just a little slow at 3.7 fps, but this isn't a high end camera. It has full HD video recording and a HDMI output to feed a HD TV. It compares very well to competing Nikon and other brand cameras at a similar price, and of course there is a vast range of lenses and accessories to choose from, Canon, Sigma, Tamron and more.Read full review...

Excellent lightweight camera

Bought as a back up to existing more up to date Canon. This is very light and so simple to use. Auto focus is less sophisticated than newer models but that is often beneficial rather than an issue. For the sort of shots it is being used for (wildlife, countryside, etc) the image quality is perfectly adequate. Well worth the money.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: dcm*

Canon EOS 500D

Having been a regular user of SLR cameras for a number of years, I figured it was about time to update to a DSLR. I had used my mobile and a basic digital fuji camera for odd snaps which were OK, but quality was only ok for 6x4 snaps.

About month before I bought the Canon, I purchased a Pansonic FZ38 having read loads of positive reviews, and well to be quite honest the hype was better than the pictures. I also had a technical problem so contacted Panasonic and due to failings by them the item was returned. So after a rethink and expanding the budget I shopped around for a better quality item. The Canon was a second choice after a Pentax, as I learnt I could use all my existing manual K series lenses, albeit in manual mode on the current Pentax range. Brilliant I thought but a visit to a high street retailer had me speaking to a Canon expert, who advised that it was possible to get an adaptor to use my Pentax lenses on a Canon. After a bit more research I opted for this model Canon and although a refurbished item, it carries a full 12 month guarentee and was considerably cheaper than I could get elsewhere on line.

In use the camera has produced excellent results, although I am still experimenting with different settings. The Pentax lenses do work with the camera in manual mode, and this gives me greater options although it requires a bit more work, and a few more shots of the same picture to figure out what gives the best results. I have blown several shots up to A3+ size without loss of detail, but this may also be helped with the software used.

There are some very good features on this camera, the live view is good and it has a slightly larger secreen than normal, although for me I use the viewfinder most of the time. Changing lenses is easy, although like any camera it does benefit from a tripod when using long focal lengths. I am also looking at getting a remote control for it as I found it hard to get in focus shots at slow speeds when on a tripod. The built in flash is good, but the hotshoe gives you greater options and this camera works well with the 20 year old flash set up I use.

I have quite large hands, and this is where this camera won hands down against the Pentax. It sits comfortably and I have found it easy to hold and use the functions, however I do find fitting the USB lead in to the camera a bit fiddly, and the rubber flap covering the connections is always coming out, I think this may after a while get damaged, so I would prefer a solid hinged flap in this area.

I do not use the software that came with this camera so can not comment on this, but overall I do like the Canon 500D, and would highly recommend it as good mid range outfit. At the price I paid, being around the £400 mark, it is not much more than some budget DSLR's, but a lot cheaper than the high range units which are nearer the £1000 mark.

If you are in the market for a good quality DSLR than will yield good results dependent on your own skills, I believe you can not go far wrong with the 500D. Read reviews, go have a look at it in the high street, compare it with other outfits, then shop round.

Warning notice ---- You will end up buying a decent printer possibly one capable, like me, of printing big prints, and you will shoot lots of photos and spend hours on the computer picking the best, cropping, printing etc. Your other half may not see you that often so be warned, it could get expensive, fun but expensive. Enjoy:)Read full review...

Excellent quality and value.

I bought the Canon because I wanted to upgrade from my pocket-sized digital camera and to produce high-quality images. To obtain that level of quality, I have to accept that it will be necessary to carry a larger piece of equipment that can't really be unobtrusive or discreet. Given that photographic activity must be open and that the inconvenience of carrying a comparatively large camera has to be accepted, I have to say that the image quality so far has been very pleasing. The various automated settings are convenient and produce good results, and the manual options permit any 'tickles' that may be required so as to conform with artistic preferences or to deal with technical situations that push the boundaries of the automated facilities. I picked the Canon after consulting published reviews that compared it with similar products. It was the only one that came within my budget. I consider it to be excellent value for money, and I haven't been disappointed.Read full review...

great product, excelllent features.

replacing older cameras, this product is easy to use and produces quality pictures at close range and in indoor dark areas at slow shutter speeds.
the anti-shake is a great innotive addition.
best camera I have ever had.Read full review...

Save money, and get a DSLR. Enjoy taking pictures.

Excellent camera to start out, re-manufactured unit and therefore cheaper than many top end point and shoot cameras, whilst maintaining the versatility of SLRs. The quality of the product is excellent, it arrived from being re-manufactured certificated and with no visible external signs of wear and tear, which was expected tbh. To use the camera can be as simple or as complex as you like, and i have found myself learning more about the subject in order to try and take some half decent photos. The kit lens is sufficient for a complete beginner like myself, and more than competition for point and shoots.
If you can find one of these or a similar model at a decent price, save your pennies and go DSLR, you won't regret it.Read full review...

new to DSLR? start here!

smashing camera for a DSLR beginner, lots of features but not overwhelming. no wifi/gps/bt so showing it's age there but otherwise a fantastic learners camera, very proffessional results from the get go

getting the lenses as extras really added value as we can always use them with whichever camera comes next - if we even need to buy another :)Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: raindrops09

Fantastic camera, does exactly what it says on the tin!

I purchased this camera as I was using a Fujifilm Finepix camera and felt I wanted something a bit more versatile as it was a bridge camera I was using.
I am in love with this camera! I managed to get it second hand for £300, and it is the best purchase I have made! It is a beautiful camera, I cannot fault it all all. I have purchased The self help book for idiots for this camera which has also helped hugely. The shutter sound is a bit noisy, this is the only concern I have with this camera and it isn't even a problem in the slightest. Couldn't recommend this camera enough!Read full review...