Lightweight, easy to use, easy to hand to someone else to take pictures with, controls are in a very convenient location, and display inside the viewfinder is wonderful.

Like any camera in this range, it's not perfect. Autofocus can be indecisive when I need it to be, but again it's only a tool. Auto Exposure again is a tool, and can't be expected to be perfect. I've read similar problems exposing for the brightest points in the frame--big problem for those of us who use high speed film.

This is a good camera for its weight and features. Like any camera though, it doesn't replace a good knowledge of light, exposure, and focus. The camera's features are only tools in whatever capable or incapable hands their in. I like it for some of the fine art work I do, as well as candid portraits. EOS lenses are awsome!

Customer Service

Only had one problem with flimsy plastic on the battery door breaking which was taken care of in less than 1 week.

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS IN, Pentax P3N, Yachica Mat TLR, Canon Rebel G

There are a lot to list!
* 7-point AF which is fast and precise in most situations.
* 35-zone evaluative metering which is very precise and nearly impossible to fool.
* Optional partial (9.5% center) metering. Not a tight "spot" but still useful.
* All the exposure modes a serious photographer would want, including shutter priority, aperture priority, program with shift, and full manual.
* Easy to use interface. Command dial is intuitive; exposure compensation and partial metering are easy to access.
* Optional remote release.
* ISO override.
* Depth of field preview.
* High speed flash sync (1/2000 second) when using EX flashes.
* Lots of frills like auto bracketing, multiple exposures, red eye reduction, etc.
* 6 full auto/PIC modes for those who want to just point and shoot.
* Very light weight and easy to travel with.

Weaknesses
Though this is a great camera, there are some.
* AF tends to hunt when in low light; built in flash AF assist doesn't really help.
* Too many steps to select a focus point. I tend to leave mine on center and focus lock/reframe for this reason.
* Auto bracketing clumsy to access when looking through the viewfinder. I would use this feature much more often if I could access it as easily as, say, partial metering.
* Plastic lens mount may not be suitable for some lenses. (Overall though the body and lens mount are much stronger than some would have you believe.)
* Viewfinder data can be difficult to read when shooting into a bright scene.

This is a GREAT camera! This is the first SLR I've owned and I've been thrilled with the results. Prior to purchasing it I borrowed an AE-1 for a few months. I liked the AE-1, but I'm very happy I decided to get the Rebel 2000.

The evaluative metering is excellent, very precise in all situations. With the AE-1 I got a number of shots which were exposed incorrectly due to tricky lighting; hasn't happened yet with my Rebel 2000.

I did a lot of research before buying and this is probably the best entry level SLR on the market today. New and intermediate users will love it. Pros will probably love it as a backup body. I recommend skipping the 28-80 kit lens and going straight for Canon's 28-105 USM lens.

If you're a new or intermediate photographer looking for a good, modern, low cost SLR body, this is it! You will not be disappointed!

I struggled with the overall rating because there are a few weaknesses, as listed above. But I finally decided on 5 because the main features and overall performance eclipse the minor annoyances, and I believe this body offers the best price/performance for its class.

Customer Service

Not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Canon AE-1

High speed sync with external flash up to 1/2000 sec used often. Extermely light even with battery pack. Very easy interface to understand when my partner borrows it. light metering excellent. Range of usable lenses extensive. Have a look at the eos 30

No mirror lockup means a lot of vibration with longer lenses mounted on tripod
Red eye not available with external flash (unless I'm doing something wrong then email me with advice).

I like the Canon interface and it was worth upgrading from an eos 1000FN. The is an excellent choice from amateur the intermediate. Of course it all depends on what you are talking shots of. My negatives are only a very minor irritation for an excellent package.

Buy the battery pack. The second I held it I ordered the Battery pack and it also gives you another shutter release which I use heaps. Have a look at the eos30 and compare functionality. If the eos 30 had been available at the time I would have paid the extra. I bought the eos300 mid 1999 but won't trade up for a while.

Customer Service

ACE has excellent informitive staff who where very helpfull and unbiased in there opinions.

Similar Products Used:

EOS 1000FN

Fantastic features for price. Fast AF, Depth of field preview, auto bracketing, good selection of accessories too.

Little too light for me - used to Canon F-1 and A2. Seems a little small (I have large hands). These are personal things though, great camera.

For the price; best value out there PERIOD. Don't believe me, then explain why it outsells every other 35mm SLR on the market? Has made an excellent back up. Beginners will love it's ease of use and you can't go wrong with Canon.

Customer Service

Haven't needed any yet.

Similar Products Used:

Canon F-1, A2

Light
Inexpensive
Superb Metering
Fast AF
EF lenses
EX flash system

Battery door hinge
"blue" cast in vewfinder ( from prisim mirror system? ) - this does not affect the images but it bothers me.
Plastic lens mount ( have heard a rumor that you can get a metal mount fitted - voiding warranty though)
CWA metering only in Full manual mode

A well featured body at a great price. The built in flash is of limited use but thats not unusual. It's a great idea to get a body like this and spend the $$ you save on better lenses than those normally offered as a kit deal ( the 28-135 IS USM or 85mm f1.8 or 50mm 1.4 or even 50mm f1.8 II would be worthwhile ) .
The metering is GREAT .

Customer Service

No problems with the EOS300 so far
just had my RT in for a service ( $ 150AUD) - should be good for another 10 years or so.

Similar Products Used:

Eos 650, 630, RT, Av-1

Lens selection
Price

The autofocus has a tendency to hunt in the dark.

I'll be honest, I am as green as they come when it comes to cameras. I went on vacation a couple of months ago and I grabbed a couple of those single use cameras. Never again. I was sooo disappointed. In high school my mother had a Nikon N2000 that she let me use for the school year book. I wanted a beginner SLR that I could grow with. There are features on this camera that I don't even know what they do yet. So far I have only taken two rolls of film with this camera. My first concern was the autofocus. So far I have had only one picture that was out of focus and that was a completely dark shot, so I don't really count that. The focus on every other shot has been right on to me. Having worked in a film developing lab, I have found the pictures to be a little magenta; however, I don't attribute that to the camera or film, that is something the film lab can correct. I have also found a couple of pictures with a lot of flash. Again though, that can be corrected in the developing process. I have also found that the camera likes to use the flash alot; however, with every picture in focus and no blur, in my mind it can use the flash all it wants.

Customer Service

Very good.

Similar Products Used:

None

Excellent camera for the money. The camera actually has more focusing points and exposure points than many of Canon's top of the line pro cameras.

Feels a little small and plasticky, but believe it or not, it is a pretty tough camera. The smallness factor is easily solved with the battery pack BP-200: I highly recommend it. Then you can get rid of those expensive batteries and get a vertical shutter button as well.

Possibly the best camera for the money that will ever be made.

Customer Service

Havent had to use it.

Similar Products Used:

-

I was impressed with the auto-focus speed as well as the overall ease-of-use. This is a step-up for me from a Canon AE-1 which has served me marvelously.

Darn this thing is light. Bundled lens is considerably slower than what I've used in the past.

I am very impressed with this little camera. The lack of weight is taking some getting used to, but the results have been outstanding.

Customer Service

Haven't needed it, don't expect to need it. If treated with respect this camera will probably last forever.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N60

Light weight
Simple to use
Excellent exposure metering
range of modes for beginner to intermediate
7 AF points

Small hand grip
slow motor drive
shutter lag time

This is an ideal first SLR for people who want to learn about photography and/or just take good photos on holidays etc. The PIC modes are good for snap shooters while the Av, P, Tv and manual modes offer all the control a serious amateur could want. This was my first SLR and within days I was addicted, in the last year I have gone from snap shooter to semi pro, selling photos and shooting sports events and functions, this little camera has paid for itself! Now although it is a fantastic camera it is not perfect and i have recently upgraded to an EOS 3. The grip on this camera is tiny and used to make my hand sore after holding it for 3 hours, the motor drive is very slow and sometimes u miss action shots because of long shutter release lag time. None of these will bother the beginner and considering its price it is hard to criticise the EOS 300.

Customer Service

havent had to use it

Similar Products Used:

EOS 3
380ex flash
EF lenses 28-80, 28-135 IS, 75-300, tamron 200-400

Great camera for the price, with tons of features that most people will never use or even find. For a simple beginner's camera it sure has lots of bells and whistles. Auto focus seems to work very fast, although it does have some problems in low light (like most AF cameras). Try going back to an older camera after using it for a while and you will really appreciate the light weight. Does seem to be pretty solid, even with everything being plastic.

The light grey plastic that's on it and every lower priced camera these days doesn't look like the chrome that it replaced. Really stands out and gives a cheap impression, not something that you necessarily want to do. Great price but the grey makes it look cheap. The lens that comes in the kit is garbage - spend your money on something better. Shots just aren't as sharp as they could be. Full auto shots aren't as good as you would expect, and not everyone has the time or inclination to go to manual control when they just want to take a quick snapshot. Buy the Magic Lantern guide - it's much easier to understand and more helpful than the owner's manual.

Great camera but the beginner may want to find something a little simpler and cheaper to learn on.

Customer Service

Haven't needed.

Similar Products Used:

Canon AE1, AT1, T50 Rebel XS; Vivitar V335.