Canon EOS 50D

Last updated

Canon EOS 50D
Canon EOS 50D 20101017.jpg
Overview
Type Digital Single-lens reflex
Lens
Lens Interchangeable (EF, EF-S)
Sensor/medium
Sensor 22.3 × 14.9 mm CMOS (1.6x conversion factor)
Maximum resolution 4752 × 3168 (15.1 megapixels)
Film speed 100–3200 in 1/3 EV steps; 6400 and 12800 expansion available
Storage media CompactFlash (CF) (Type I or Type II) and Microdrive (max 32 GB)
Focusing
Focus modesOne-shot, AI Servo, AI-Focus, Manual
Focus areas9 user points (cross type)
Focus bracketing none
Exposure/metering
Exposure modesFull auto, programmed, shutter-priority, aperture priority, manual
Exposure metering TTL, full aperture, zones
Metering modes 35-area Evaluative, Partial, Spot, C/Wgt Average
Flash
Flash pop-up, sync at 1/250 second
Flash bracketing none
Shutter
Shutter focal-plane
Shutter speed range30 s to 1/8000 s, bulb
Continuous shooting 3 or 6.3 frames/second
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Optical, pentaprism/ LiveView LCD
Image processing
White balance 7 presets, Auto and custom 2000–10000 kelvins, 100 K steps
WB bracketing 3 images, ±9 levels
General
LCD screen3.0 in (76 mm), 640 × 480 pixel (307,200 pixels; 921,600 Sub-pixels), 267 ppi
BatteryLi-Ion BP-511A rechargeable
Optional battery packs BP-511A, BP-514, BP-511, BP-512.
BG-E2N grip allows use of AA batteries.
Dimensions 146 mm × 108 mm × 74 mm
Weight 730 g or 1.61 lb (body only)
Made in Japan
Chronology
Predecessor Canon EOS 40D
Successor Canon EOS 60D

The Canon EOS 50D is a 15.1-megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera. It is part of the Canon EOS line of cameras, succeeding the EOS 40D [1] and preceding the EOS 60D.

Contents

Canon announced the camera on 26 August 2008. [2] The camera was released on 6 October 2008.

Overview and features

The 50D has many similar characteristics to its predecessor, the 40D. This includes various shooting modes, the ability to change ISO and white balance, a pop-up flash unit, and an LCD screen. The LCD screen is the same size (3.0") as the 40D but has a higher resolution (640 × 480 pixel or 307,200 pixels [3] ) than any previous model. It is also the final Canon xxD to use a CompactFlash or Microdrive for memory storage, along with the BP-511 series battery.

The 50D has a higher pixel count (15.1 megapixels), hence higher shooting resolutions, than its predecessor and, like the 40D, has a 14-bit raw format.

The camera has Live View, which allows photographers to use the LCD screen as the viewfinder. Because the sensor mirror needs to be in the locked position (see Live preview), shutter noise is reduced in this mode.

Improvements

Canon EOS 50D Back.jpg
Canon EOS 50D Top.jpg

Changes over the 40D include a higher-resolution sensor (15.1 megapixel instead of 10.1 megapixel).

The ISO goes up to 3200 in standard mode, and can be increased to 12800 through the use of a custom function. The burst rate is the same as on the 40D, 6.3 frames per second, though the 40D was advertised as 6.5. [5]

The camera uses Canon's DIGIC 4 image processor. The processor delivers more responsive operation, improved color rendition and near-instant start-up time. A new sensor cleaning system has also been introduced. The camera can also use the Canon Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E3/E3A.

The 50D has a 3" screen – the same size as the 40D – but the resolution is 640×480 pixels, which allows it to show more image detail than any of Canon's previous 3" LCD displays. The 50D features two new Autofocus Modes in Liveview and an HDMI port.

The 50D was offered as a body only or in a package with a new EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens or EF 28–135 f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens.

Image quality and noise

The 50D adds 5 megapixels to an APS-C sized sensor (compared to the 40D), and as a result the size of the individual photosensors has decreased. To offset the increased noise that inevitably results from smaller photosensors, Canon eliminated the gaps between the microlenses covering the photosensors. Thus the microlenses are larger, and capture more light and direct it to the sensor sites. [1]

Reception

The Canon EOS 50D received generally favourable reviews. Digital Photography Review concluded: "Looking at the specification differences between the EOS 40D and our test candidate it appears you pay quite a premium for the 50D's extra megapixels and as we've found out during this review you don't get an awful lot of extra image quality for your money. The Canon EOS 50D still earns itself our highest reward but considering its price point and our slight concerns about its pixel-packed sensor, it only does so by a whisker." [6] Gordon Laing of CameraLabs.com had a slightly better view of the camera, noting that "Canon’s bold claims of matching the noise levels of the earlier EOS 40D were confirmed in our High ISO tests," and concluded by calling it "a very capable DSLR that handles confidently, delivers great results and is a joy to use. . . .[but] to exploit that high resolution you’ll need to couple it with a decent quality lens." [7]

Magic Lantern video

As of 2013, there has been Magic Lantern development of 50D video support. The 50D compares favorably to many later Canon APS-C models in terms of light sensitivity: "The camera is also a totally unbelievable low light performer. The 50D was designed before the megapixel race really took off. It has a 15MP APS-C sensor, so individual pixels are much larger than those on the later 18MP Rebel CMOS sensors.". [8] [ unreliable source? ] In addition to raw video, the Magic Lantern firmware add-on also enabled high bitrate compressed H.264 video at 30 frames per second. [9] [ unreliable source? ] Other publications, while impressed, pointed out downsides such as no audio, expensive fast CF-cards and no Canon support for Magic Lantern firmware. [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS-1D Mark II</span> Digital camera model

The EOS 1D Mark II is a professional 8.2 megapixel digital single lens reflex camera (DSLR) camera body produced by Canon. The EOS 1D Mark II was the successor of the EOS 1D and was itself replaced by the Canon EOS-1D Mark III in 2007. It was Canon's first dual-card slot EOS camera with one CF slot and one SD slot that was meant easily to use two dominant card types and have a assurance that once a small sized primary and faster CF slot is full, camera can be used to take photographs when recording was continued on secondary and slower card in critical moment. It also now had wireless capabilities. When paired with the new Canon WFT-E1, you could transfer images to a PC using an FTP server.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS 5D</span> Digital camera model

The Canon EOS 5D is a 12.8 megapixel digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera body produced by Canon. The EOS 5D was announced by Canon on 22 August 2005, and at the time was priced above the EOS 20D but below the EOS-1D Mark II and EOS-1Ds Mark II in Canon's EOS digital SLR series. The camera accepts EF lens mount lenses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS 30D</span> DSLR camera

The Canon EOS 30D is an 8.2-megapixel semi-professional digital single-lens reflex camera, initially announced on February 21, 2006. It is the successor of the Canon EOS 20D, and is succeeded by the EOS 40D. It can accept EF and EF-S lenses, and like its predecessor, it uses an APS-C sized image sensor, so it does not require the larger imaging circle necessary for 35 mm film and 'full-frame' digital cameras.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS-1D Mark III</span> Digital camera model

The EOS 1D Mark III is a professional 10.1 megapixel digital single lens reflex camera (DSLR) camera body produced by Canon. The EOS 1D Mark III was announced on February 21, 2007 and is the successor of the Canon EOS-1D Mark II N and was first released in May 2007. In late 2009, the camera was succeeded by the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV. One of the main benefits of the new Mark III, over the previous models, was the added functionality of Live view, allowing users to take pictures while looking at an LCD screen. While it had the same outdated software as the older 1D series cameras, it had a much improved button layout, which is still used today. It also had improved wireless capabilities over the Mark II. The new WFT-E2 was much smaller than the previous WFT-E1 for the Mark II. The new transmitter could now also connect via a USB port. This allowed the optional addition of a GPS unit and wired PC connectivity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS 40D</span> DSLR camera

The Canon EOS 40D is a 10.1-megapixel semi-professional digital single-lens reflex camera. It was initially announced on 20 August 2007 and was released at the end of that month. It is the successor of the Canon EOS 30D, and is succeeded by the EOS 50D. It can accept EF and EF-S lenses. Like its predecessor, it uses an APS-C sized image sensor, resulting in a 1.6x field of view crop factor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III</span> DSLR camera

The EOS-1Ds Mark III is a digital SLR camera body by Canon designed for professional photographers. The Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III is successor to the EOS-1Ds Mark II and was announced in August 2007. The camera features a full-frame 21.1 megapixel CMOS sensor with 14-bit analog/digital converters for a total colour depth of 16,384 tones per pixel. It features a three-inch (76 mm) LCD screen, capable of "Live View," and dual DIGIC III processors allowing it to shoot at up to five frames per second.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS 450D</span> Digital single-lens reflex camera

The EOS 450D is a 12.2-megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera that is part of the Canon EOS line of cameras. It is the successor to the EOS 400D/Digital Rebel XTi. It was announced on 23 January 2008 and released in March 2008 and April 2008 in North America. It was succeeded by the Canon EOS 500D which was announced on 25 March 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS 1000D</span> Digital SLR camera model

Canon EOS 1000D is a 10.1-megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera announced by Canon on 10 June 2008 and started shipping in mid August 2008. It is known as the EOS Kiss F in Japan and the EOS Rebel XS in the United States and Canada. The 1000D is an entry-level DSLR that has been described as being a step below the 450D.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS DCS 3</span>

The Canon EOS DCS 3 was Kodak's second Canon based Digital SLR camera released in July 1995, four months after Kodak EOS-DCS 5. It uses a modified Canon EOS-1N film camera with a modified Kodak NC2000e digital camera back attached. As a result, it maintained the Canon EF lens mount, and full compatibility with all of Canon's EF lenses made until that time. The camera was followed by the six megapixel Canon EOS DCS 1, which was released later in December 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS 500D</span>

The Canon EOS 500D is a 15-megapixel entry-level digital single-lens reflex camera, announced by Canon on 25 March 2009. It was released in May 2009. It is known as the EOS Kiss X3 in Japan, and as the EOS Rebel T1i in North America. It continues the Rebel line of mid-range DSLR cameras, is placed by Canon as the next model up from the EOS 450D, and has been superseded by the EOS 550D (T2i).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS 7D</span> Digital SLR camera (2009)

The Canon EOS 7D is an APS-C digital single-lens reflex camera made by Canon. It was announced on 1 September 2009 with a suggested retail price of US$1,699. Among its features are an 18.0 effective megapixel CMOS sensor, HD video recording, its 8.0 frames per second continuous shooting, new viewfinder which offers 1.0X magnification and 100% coverage, 19-point auto-focus system, movie mode, and built-in Speedlite transmitter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS-1D Mark IV</span> DSLR camera

The EOS-1D Mark IV is a professional 16.1 effective megapixels digital single lens reflex camera (DSLR) camera body produced by Canon. The EOS-1D Mark IV is the successor of the Canon EOS-1D Mark III and was announced on 20 October 2009, just four days after Nikon announced the D3s. It is currently the only Canon APS-H format DSLR to feature HD video recording at 1080p resolution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS 550D</span>

The Canon EOS 550D is an 18.0 megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera, announced by Canon on 8 February 2010. It was available since 24 February 2010 and to US dealers from early March. It is known as the EOS Kiss X4 in Japan, and as the EOS Rebel T2i in the Americas. It is part of Canon's entry/mid-level digital SLR camera series, and was the successor model to the EOS 500D. It was succeeded by the EOS 600D, but remained in Canon's lineup until being discontinued in June 2012 with the announcement of the EOS 650D.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS 60D</span> DSLR camera

The Canon EOS 60D is an 18.1 megapixels semi-pro digital single-lens reflex camera made by Canon. It was announced on August 26, 2010, with a suggested retail price of US$1099.00. As a part of the Canon EOS two-digit line, it is the successor of the EOS 50D and is the predecessor of the EOS 70D.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS 600D</span> DSLR camera

The Canon EOS 600D is an 18.0 megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera, released by Canon on 7 February 2011. It is known as the EOS Kiss X5 in Japan and the EOS Rebel T3i in America. The 600D is the second Canon EOS camera with an articulating LCD screen and supersedes the 550D, although the earlier model was not discontinued until June 2012, when the successor of the 600D, the 650D, was announced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS 1100D</span> Digital single-lens reflex camera from Canon

Canon EOS 1100D is a 12.2-megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera announced by Canon on 7 February 2011. It is known as the EOS Kiss X50 in Japan and the EOS Rebel T3 in the Americas. The 1100D is Canon's most basic entry-level DSLR, and introduces movie mode to other entry level DSLRs. It replaced the 1000D and is also the only Canon EOS model currently in production that is not made in Japan but in Taiwan, aside from the EOS Rebel T4i.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikon D3200</span> Camera model

The Nikon D3200 is a 24.2-megapixel DX format DSLR Nikon F-mount camera officially launched by Nikon on April 19, 2012. It is marketed as an entry-level DSLR camera for beginners and experienced DSLR hobbyists who are ready for more advanced specs and performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS 1200D</span> Digital camera model

Canon EOS 1200D is an 18.1 megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) announced by Canon on 11 February 2014. It is known as the EOS Kiss X70 in Japan, the EOS Rebel T5 in the Americas, and the EOS Hi in Korea. The 1200D is an entry-level DSLR that introduces an 18 MP sensor from the 700D and 1080p HD video to Canon's entry level DSLRs. It replaces the 1100D.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS 7D Mark II</span> Digital camera model

The Canon EOS 7D Mark II is a professional digital single-lens reflex camera made by Canon. It was announced on September 15, 2014 with a suggested retail price of US$1,799. It features a 20.2 effective megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, Full HD video recording at 60 fps, 10.0 frames per second continuous shooting, a 100% accuracy viewfinder that offers 1× magnification. It also features a 65-point auto-focus system, a built-in Speedlite transmitter and a new 150k RGB pixels + IR metering sensor. It was preceded by the Canon EOS 7D.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS 4000D</span> Digital camera model

The Canon EOS 4000D is an 18.0 megapixels digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) made by Canon. It was announced on 25 February 2018 with a suggested retail price of €399 including an EF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 III lens. It is also known as the EOS 3000D in some parts of the Asia Pacific region and the EOS Rebel T100 in North America.

References

  1. 1 2 "Canon Camera Museum – Technology Hall – EOS 50D". Canon. 16 November 2008. Archived from the original on 5 June 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  2. ↑ "Outstanding speed and resolution for the discerning photographer: the EOS 50D" (Press release). Canon. 26 August 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2008.
  3. ↑ Canon counts the sub-pixels of each pixel, i.e. the red, green, and blue channel of each pixel, and therefore specifies the rear display to have 307,200 × 3 = 921,600 or ca. 921,000 dots.
  4. ↑ "Canon 50D Review - Specifications". Imaging Resource.
  5. ↑ Askey, Phil (October 2007). "Continuous Drive mode". dpreview.com. p. 13. Retrieved 2 December 2009.
  6. ↑ Rehm, Lars; Butler, Richard (October 2008). "Canon EOS 50D Review: Conclusion". dpreview.com . Retrieved 27 October 2011.
  7. ↑ Laing, Gordon (October 2008). "Canon EOS 50D verdict". CameraLabs.com. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
  8. ↑ Reid, Andrew. "It lives! 5 year old $350 Canon 50D becomes raw cinema monster" . Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  9. ↑ Reid, Andrew. "Canon 50D Magic Lantern raw review".
  10. ↑ "Magic Lantern enables Canon EOS 50D raw video output". Digital Photography Review.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.