Canon EOS 500D / Rebel T1i

The EOS 500D, or Rebel T1i as it’s known in North America, is Canon’s step-up from the budget 1000D / XS. It inherits a number of aspects from the semi-pro EOS 50D including the same 15 Megapixel resolution, 3in VGA screen and HDMI port, while additionally boasting HD movie recording. While there are technical differences between their sensors, both bodies shared essentially the same resolving power in our tests along with similar noise levels. This all makes the 500D / T1i a powerful DSLR for the money and a great choice if you’re after a step-up from an entry-level model. Be sure to compare with the Nikon D5000 and the higher-end EOS 550D / T2i.

Pros: High resolution; HD movies; VGA screen.
Cons: 1080 movie mode is not as smooth as the 720p option.
Overall: A powerful step-up from entry-level DSLRs.