Canon EOS 50D
Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR Camera was released in October 2008. It's a mid-range digital camera but allows also the beginner users narrow the space between entirely automatic and manual control. Compared to it's predecessor, Canon EOS 40D, the EOS 50D has higher pixels and while the LCD screen is same size it has higher resolution that makes display brighter and even more detailed.
EOS 50D comes with 15.1-megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4 Image Processor
The EOS 50D Camera contains a newly-designed 15.1-megapixel APS-C sized CMOS sensor. Able to capture photos in an instant, the sensor was designed to work together with Canon’s EF and EF-S lenses. It’s capable of recording at sensitivities earlier too noisy for shooting in low light or subjects in motion. Having a maximum ISO rating of 12800 along with a 4-level High ISO speed noise reduction function, photos that would have been impossible without using a strobe or flash turn out to be easy to record.
With quick startup times, rapid auto-focus and minimum shutter lag, the EOS 50D Digital Camera is among the fastest digital cameras on the market today. It can shoot up to 6.3 fps, in bursts of up to 90 JPEGs (using an UDMA CF card), 60 JPEGs (using a CF card) repeatedly or 16 RAW files, so you will never, ever miss a shot.
This next generation DIGIC 4 Image Processor provides better details and even more natural color imitation, compared to the prior DIGIC III Image Processor. Additionally, it enables Face Detection Live mode to identify and focus up to 35 face(s) to capture the very best photo. DIGIC 4 offer the improved Auto Lighting Optimizer that adjusts brightness and contrast automatically.
Canon EOS 50D features 3.-inch Clear View LCD
The Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR Camera comes with a bright, high resolution, 3.-inch Clear View LCD monitor. It offers a brighter and even more detailed display than the EOS 40D, Monitor carries a new smudge-resistant finish, and is ideal for being able to view camera settings like ISO, Metering modes AF Point selection and flash options. It is also outstanding for reviewing, editing and deleting pictures or creating new photos in Live View Function.
Canon Enhanced Live View shooting with Face Detection Live mode
The EOS 50D Camera features Canon’s innovative Live View shooting because of the variety of focusing settings accessible such as Quick mode, Live mode and Face Detection Live mode. In the studio room, the camera can be managed remotely with Live View Function once the camera is attached to a computer via a USB cable, or wirelessly when the optional Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E3A is used.
Canon 50D has EOS Integrated Cleaning System and Self Cleaning Sensor Unit
The Canon EOS 50D’s Self Cleaning Sensor Unit gets rid of stray dust that gets into the camera when changing a lens or when out in the field. The sensor’s IR-cut/Low-pass filter cleans itself routinely with ultrasonic vibrations each time the camera is switched on or off and comes with a new flourine finish to reduce dust adhesion. Dust missed by the cleaning unit is grabbed by Canon’s Dust Delete Data Detection software and will be removed from the image file. The Canon EOS 50D Camera has a coating on the front side surface of the low-pass filter, to improve its effectiveness against dust adhering to the sensor.
Canon Dust Delete Data Detection
Dust which may still stick to the front of the sensor may also be removed with software included in Digital Photo Professional (DPP) Version 3.3 or later software. Dust Delete Data image is examined in-camera, and the location and size of any leftover dust is put into any following photos taken. This information is sent combined with the photo, regardless of whether JPEG or RAW, and can be either manually or automatically removed in Canon’s DPP software. This additional software option guarantees the cleanest achievable photo, ideal for printing or archiving.
EOS 50D includes Creative Auto mode
The EOS 50D Digital Camera includes a new Creative Auto mode along with a quick control monitor which enables newbie users narrow the space between entirely automatic and manual control. Although camera will stay automatically in completely automatic mode, regularly changed options like flash, exposure compensation, image quality plus more are all available through one simple screen interface created for intuitive, quick action.
HDMI output for displaying full high-resolution images on a HDTV
The Canon EOS 50D features a new HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Slot) output device that allows High Definition display of your photos on any HDTV with HDMI ports. It is exceptional to observe the details of your images in Full HD, and now it is easy together with the EOS 50D. Resolution is defined automatically to suit the TV to which you’ve attached, and pictures are displayed in a full-frame 3:2 ratio with blacked out bars on the left and right of the image.
EOS 50D is compatible with over 60 Canon EF/EF-S lenses and most EOS System accessories
The EOS 50D Digital Camera is compatible with all Canon lenses in the EF and EF-S collection, ranging from ultra-wide angle to super telephoto lenses. Canon lenses utilize innovative optical knowledge and micron-precision engineering to provide unprecedented functionality in all facets of the photographic process. Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer technology is presented in select lenses to reduce the impact of camera shake.
The EOS 50D features the acclaimed E-TTL II flash metering system. With any of the flashes in the EX Speedlite line, E-TTL II provides reliable flash output whether shooting fill-in flash pictures in sunlight, or using flash in total darkness.
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| Canon EOS 50D Digital Field Guide | Canon 50D From Snapshots to Great Shots | Canon EOS 50D The Expanded Guide |
What Others Are Saying about Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR Camera…
Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR Camera has received 4.5 stars out of 5 from customers on Amazon website
- “I can clearly see the difference in the resolution of the images produced by the 15.1 MP Canon 50D and those from the 10 MP Canon 40D”
- “Live View is a sweet feature in DSLR camera. If you have an important shot to take, Live View can help you immensely!”
- "A great camera not just for learning photography (with full manual focus, exposure etc…) but even for intermediate and advanced photographers"
- "I've owned this camera for two years now and its perfect in everything I use it for, just outstanding images!"
- "This camera is FFFFFast, even when taking multiple photos."
- "I love the "feeling" i get when Im shooting and this camera gives me that excited and happy feeling."
- "If you are wanting to study photography as a hobby or even a profession then this camera is a good choice that should give you many years of use."
The best place for reviews from people who actually use the Canon EOS 50D is Amazon.
Click here to read more reviews
Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR Camera comes with
- EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM standard zoom lens
- Lens Cap
- Eyecup
- Wide Neck Strap
- Video Cable
- USB Cable
- Battery Pack
- Battery Charger
- "Great Photography is Easy" Booklet
- "Do More with Macro" Booklet
- EOS Digital Solution CD
- Software Instruction Manual
Software
- Canon EOS Digital Solution Disk (Version 17.0)
- EOS Utility (Version 2.5) for Macintosh or Windows
- Digital Photo Professional (Version 3.5)
- ZoomBrowser EX (Version 6.2) for Windows
- ImageBrowser (Version 6.2) for Mac OS X
- Picture Style Editor (Version 1.4)
(Canon EOS 50D is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.)
| Model: | 50D 28 – 135 mm Kit |
| Released: | 2008/Q4 |
| Optical Sensor Resolution: | 15.1 MP |
| Optical Sensor Technology: | CMOS |
| Image Processor: | DIGIC 4 |
| Maximum Aperture Range: | f/3.5-5.6 |
| Minimum focal length: | 28 mm |
| Maximum focal length: | 135 mm |
| Lens Type: | Zoom Lens |
| Optical Sensor Size: | 14.9 x 22.3 mm |
| Dust Deletion Filter: | Yes |
| Included Flash Type: | Pop-Up Flash |
| Display Size: | 3.0 inches |
| Light Sensitivity: | ISO 12800, ISO 100-6400, ISO Auto (100-6400) |
| Image types: | JPEG, RAW |
| Color Space: | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Exposure Control Type: | Standard, Landscape, Portrait, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome |
| Viewfinder Type: | Eye-level Pentaprism |
| Continuous Shooting Speed: | 6.3 frames per second |
| Focusing: | Manual Focus, One-Shot, Al Servo, Al-Focus |
| Width: | 5.7 inches (146 mm) |
| Depth: | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Height: | 4.2 inches (108 mm) |
| Weight: | 1.6 pounds (730 g) |
The Canon Rebel T3i takes the consumer level dSLR a couple steps closer to the mid-level Canon 60D with the addition of the rotating rear LCD screen, remote flash firing, and in-camera processing features. The already highly competent, older Rebel T2i already shared many important features with the 60D (and even features of the semi-pro 7D) including the 18 MP sensor, 63-zone exposure metering system, high ISO performance, HD movie capabilities, and Digic 4 image processor. With these new upgrades, it might make it even more difficult to choose between them. But there are some important differences.
If you are considering the Rebel T3i vs T2i, the Rebel T3i is replacing the T2i. Since both cameras share the same 18 megapixel sensor and Digic 4 processor, both the T2i and T3i will create images with exactly the same image quality, produce the same low light/ high ISO performance, shoot at 3.7 frames per second, and have nearly the same size and build quality. They are both offered with the same 18-55mm kit lens (with some minor cosmetic differences on the new T3i kit lens). The T3i is very slightly larger and heavier due to the addition of the rotating rear LCD monitor. And that is one of the biggest differences between the two cameras. Do you want and need a vari-angle rear screen or not? The other major difference is the ability of the T3i to remotely control multiple off-camera flashes. Like the 60D and 7D, you can use the built-in flash of the T3i to trigger other Canon Speedlites. Some other minor additions to the T3i include the Scene Intelligent Auto Mode, which is a feature borrowed from point and shoot cameras. When in Auto mode, the T3i will make a determination of what type of scene you are shooting – close-up, portrait, landscape, etc. – and automatically configure the camera settings accordingly. However, if you want to use a powerful and costly digital SLR as a point and shoot, you should probably save the money and just buy a nice, high quality point and shoot like the Canon S95. Other additional but not essential upgrades include the in-camera processing Creative Filters, and the ability to choose different image size ratios and to rate your images. (Helpful hint: press the Q Button while in image playback and you can access features like rating, rotating, and Creative Filters.) There is also a marginally helpful Feature Guide which gives brief descriptions of various settings and some additional video features like Video Snapshot, which you can use to shoot short video clips that are automatically joined together into a video, with music.
Canon Rebel T3i vs. 60D vs. 7D
Sensor and Image Quality: All three cameras share a very similar sensor and 18 megapixels, and so their image quality will be virtually the same. All are capable of taking professional quality images.
Exposure Metering: The three cameras all share the latest 63-zone, dual-layer exposure metering system and 4 metering modes. That means they will all determine the exposure virtually identically and enable you to take properly exposed photos in most every situation, including difficult back-lit scenes. The size of the areas metered for Partial and Spot metering vary slightly between the cameras, but that isn’t anything critical.
Autofocus: The T3i shares a similar autofocus system to the 60D, with 9 focus points and three auto focusing modes. However the 9 AF points of the 60D are more sensitive than those of the T3i: all are cross-type in the 60D, only the center is cross-type in the T3i. The 60D autofocus system is much less complex than the sophisticated AF system of the 7D with its 19 AF point system and its additional Zone, Spot, and Expansion focus modes. These various modes address how you want to deal with and group the numerous AF points. Plus the custom settings of the 7D allow one to customize how the AF system works – how it tracks subjects, how it deals with objects that come between you and your initial subject, how quickly it responds to these changes of possible subjects that are at different distances from you, etc. However, if you are not an avid sports photographer, a wildlife shooter, or someone who understands, needs, and will use the elaborate features of the 7D AF system, then this shouldn’t sway you.
Construction: As you can probably figure out from the prices, each camera is not built the same. The T3i has relatively strong construction of a stainless steel frame with polycarbonate body. The 60D has a stronger and lighter aluminum frame and polycarbonate body, but not as strong as the 7D’s magnesium alloy construction. The 60D also has some amount of weather sealing – more than the T3i, less than the 7D. But for most users, including even those using the camera daily or in travel situations, the construction of any of these cameras is far more than good enough, strong enough, and durable enough.
ISO: Since they all share a very similar sensor, the ISO sensitivity and performance at high ISO settings is virtually the same for these three cameras. But don’t take my word for it, don’t be swayed by pixel peepers on forums, instead check out the camera sensor tests at dxomark to verify this. As you can see, they all share the exact same overall score, and show very similar performance.
Controls: As with construction, the buttons and controls vary with these cameras. Unlike the T3i, the 60D and 7D have nearly every control an advanced photographer needs on the exterior of the camera and they also have the top LCD panel and rear Quick Control Dial that are not on the T3i. With all the cameras, any controls can also be easily accessed with the Q Button and Q Menu or in the other menus on the rear LCD monitor. The top buttons of the 60D set only one setting each, so this is less complicated than the multiple-setting buttons of the 7D. Canon has removed the white balance (WB) button on the 60D that the 7D has, but that isn’t a big deal – use the Q Menu. Another change on the 60D is that the Multi-controller has been moved from the thumb joystick like the 7D and 50D and placed in the middle of the rear Quick-control dial. This doesn’t change how it functions, and should just be a matter of getting used to the difference. If you plan on using your camera on Auto or Program most of the time, then the controls of the T3i are more than sufficient for your needs. If you work in Av, Tv, or M modes and need quicker and more direct access to your controls and the additional top LCD screen to view and change your current settings, then you need to consider the 60D or 7D over the T3i.
Menus and Custom Functions: These allow for greater control over customizing how the camera functions. The T3i has less Menu and Custom Function setting options than the 60D, and the 7D has yet a few more than the 60D. These settings enable you to customize the operation, function, and controls to work how you want them to, including things like exposure increments, peripheral illuminations correction for lenses (fixes dark corners), tweaking how the autofocus system operates, setting more precise white balance settings, and customizing which button does what. There are ebooks such as my Canon T3i Experience – The Still Photographer’s Guide to Operation and Image Creation With the Canon Rebel T3i / EOS 600D and Your World 60D – The Photographer’s Guide to Operation and Image Creation with the Canon 60D which walk you through all of the Menu settings and Custom Function settings so that you can set up your camera to work best for how you photograph, and also begin to learn to master all the advanced features, settings, and controls of these powerful dSLR camera.
Wireless Flash: Like the 7D and 60D, the T3i incorporates wireless flash triggering. This allows you to trigger multiple off camera flashes at different output levels. The T2i does not have this feature.
Articulating LCD Screen: The big new feature that the 60D and T3i have that the 7D and T2i do not is the articulating rear LCD screen. This may prove useful for videographers, as well as for setting up compositions while the camera is on a tripod, for macro use, or for using it from unusually low or high vantage points. Some users will be able to avoid buying an expensive angle finder because of this feature. There is also an electronic level in the 7D and 60D, visible in the viewfinder, rear LCD, or top LCD.
Viewfinder: The T3i has a pentamirror viewfinder with 95% coverage of the actual resulting image. The 60D has a large, bright pentaprism viewfinder with 96% coverage, not quite as nice as the nearly 100% view of the 7D pentaprism.
Processor: The T3i shares the same Digic 4 processor as the 60D. The 7D has dual Digic 4 processors. However, if you don’t need to shoot dozens of continuous images, you probably won’t notice any processing speed issues.
Continuous Shooting Speed: The T3i can shoot 3.7 frames per second. The 7D can shoot a blazing 8 frames per second, in which the photos barely change from frame to frame. The 60D can shoot a respectable 5.3 fps which is actually a more useful rate. If you need the extremely high fps for sports, wildlife, or other action shooting, get the 7D. If not, don’t be swayed by this excessive feature.
Memory Card: The T3i and 60D use the SD memory card. The 7D uses the CF card.
Battery: The T3i and T2i use the smaller LP-E8 battery with less capacity than the LP-E6 battery used by the 60D and 7D.
Size and Weight: The T3i is smaller and lighter than the 60D, which in turn is smaller and lighter than the 7D. Go to a store and hold them to get a better feel for their size, weight, and feel. The 60D and 7D “feel” like the more substantial cameras that they are. A nice improvement of the T3i is that its hand grip area has been modified, and has a different feel than that of the T2i – the area where the thumb rests is contoured differently and has a nice channel for the thumb, which allows for a much more secure one-hand-grip of the camera.
AF Microadjustment: The 7D has this feature, the 60D and T3i and T2i do not. This allows you to adjust the focus of each of your lenses in case any of them are slightly front-focusing or back-focusing.
Locking Mode Dial: This is a new feature for a Canon dSLR, only on the 60D, that keeps the Mode dial from accidentally rotating. A nice touch.
Full HD video: Of course they all offer this capability. Note that this is not video for your kids’ parties and soccer games. It does not have continuous autofocus while shooting, as a camcorder does. It is not designed for that kind of use, but rather for serious videographers who typically manually focus. You can adjust autofocus while shooting by pressing the shutter button or the AF button, but it may have a less than desired looking result and unless you are using an external microphone, the autofocusing sound will be picked up. The T3i has the digital zoom feature in video, which allows for nice smooth zooms while filming.
Flash Sync: the 60D and T3i do not have a PC sync flash socket to plug in PC sync cords for off camera flash use. The 7D has this. However, they all offer wireless remote flash capability with the built in flash as a commander.
Ease of operation: While beginners may find all the buttons, controls, and menus of any dSLR difficult and confusing at first, the menus and controls of the T3i and T2i are pretty basic and simple to learn for a dedicated user. The additional controls and menus of the 7D and 60D are all quite intelligently designed, intuitive, and straightforward for the more advanced user. Again, have a look at helpful guides such as my Canon T3i Experience – The Still Photographer’s Guide to Operation and Image Creation With the Canon Rebel T3i / EOS 600D and Your World 60D – The Photographer’s Guide to Operation and Image Creation with the Canon 60D to begin to learn to master all the advanced features, settings, and controls of these powerful dSLR cameras.