Canon has just launched its latest entry level digital slr camera, the Canon 500D. After the success of the previous year's model, the Canon Eos 450d, Canon appears to have come up trumps again. This new camera features many features only previously found on the mega expensive professional Canon Eos 5d MkII and it's amazing how much Canon have packed in for a remarkably low price.

To start with, a whopping 15.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor will be plenty big enough for any amateur photographer, with images being able to be printed with fantastic quality up to A3 size if desired.

For the first time ever, full High Definition (HD) video recording is made available in this range of dslr. This means you can use your dslr camera as a camcorder, with the ability to capture top quality HD video up to 4gb per continuous shoot. With the ability to connect direct to a tv using an HDMI connection, you can view your videos on widescreen quickly and easily.

The 450d, which is still a fantastic camera, had an ISO range up to 1600. Well for the replacement model, you can double it to 3200. Furthermore, it is expandable to 12800. Again, Canon incorporate their noise reduction technology to further increase your image quality in dimly lit scenes.

3.4 frames per second continuous shooting, meaning you should be able to capture any fast moving subject quickly and easily.

Live view mode, 3" clear view LCD (920,000 resolution), 9 point wide area AF with cross-type centre point, Canon's integrated cleaning system, a creative auto mode and the DIGIC 4 processor, previously only found in the high end Canon cameras are other popular features of this quite stunning piece of kit.

Of course, the camera is compatible with all EF and EF-S lenses, so if you upgrade to this model, all you need to buy is the body only. This is one of the fantastic things about dslr, in that you only upgrade the body and keep the lenses.

This looks to be a much better camera than the hugely successful Canon 500D , and it paves the way for a new, exciting, bright future of digital photography and videoing.

It's a must have for any budding photographer, amateur or professional alike.