Canon EOS 1000D Rebel XS

Canon has been known for its line of digital SLR cameras, and recently they have unveiled their best model among its affordable line:  the EOS 1000D, also known as the EOS Rebel XS.  It features a whopping 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, with a 7-point wide area AF system, and up to 3fps of continuous JPEG shooting until the memory card is full.

The key components for the EOS 1000D are designed and manufactured in-house.  The CMOS sensor has larger pixels for smooth and low-noise images, as well as having sufficient resolution to produce prints in sizes up to A4.  The EOS 1000D also comes with its own Integrated Cleaning System that combats dust by reducing, removing, and repelling in order to protect the images against the effects of sensor dust.

The EOS 1000D has the lightest weight among all digital EOS cameras, but it is packed with a range of technologies used in Canon’s professional EOS-1 series, which includes the DIGIC III image processor and the Live View mode.  This camera is available with an EF-S 18-55 IS lens, known for its 4-stop image stabilization that ensures superb performance even in low light. 
The DIGIC III image processor, which is also used in Canon’s professional D-SLR models, delivers superior image rendering, rapid operation, and almost instant start-up times.  Meanwhile, the Live View mode enables photographers to display the scene as a smooth, 30fps video feed on the LCD.

The 7-point wide area Auto Focus system is capable of locking onto a subject in a fraction of a second.  The EOS 1000D also operates effectively even when used in lower-light and lower-contrast settings.  Photo quality in every situation is aided by 12 custom functions, including Auto Lighting Optimizer, which corrects brightness and contrast during image processing all while improving skin tones in portraits by ensuring correct exposure for faces.

On the outside, the EOS 1000D has a compact and ergonomic body designed for comfortable handling.  It also has a bright 2.5-inch LCD screen that lets users instantly review images for composition, sharpness, and focus.  The screen also provides access to a fast and easy-to-read menu system, using tabs in order to avoid unnecessary scrolling.  The menu system is similar to the latest EOS models, which also includes direct control over external devices like flash units.

MSI Wind Notebook

You might not be so familiar with MSI but they are recently attracting a lot of consumers with the Wind notebook for its smart design, advantages over many other notebooks in the market, and reasonable price. Short for "Wi-Fi Network Device," the Wind features an energy-efficient and speedy Intel® Atom^TM 1.6GHz Processor. This means better mobile lifestyle and longer operation hours.

The Wind provides comfort with its 10-in wide LCD screen with a 1024×600 resolution, magnifying technology, IMR technology for protection, an 80G of storage, and a built-in MIC and 1.3M webcam. It is also ultra-portable, measuring 7.08 x 10.23 inches (W x L) and weighing only 2.3 pounds. Its ergonomic keyboard is only about 20% smaller compared to a full sized keyboard. You can enjoy the Internet with Wind Notebook’s 802.11b/g transmission interface.

Overall, the MSI Wind notebook has a lot of buildup behind it, but it exceeds expectations in terms of design and functionality. Considering all the notebooks in its class available in the market, Wind appears to be the best all-around bet. For a reasonable price of only $499 it handles everything you throw at it.