Canon EOS 50D with APS-C Size CMOS Sensor

Unlike the 18 months upgrade tradition,Canon has announced the 50D almost exactly a year after the arrival of the EOS 40D, which we're assured will be a sister-model, rather than a replacement. Recent history has seen Canon release new models every 18 months-or-so but it's been a busy year with newcomers such as the Nikon D300 getting a lot of attention in the 40D's keen-amateur/professional segment. The 50D is essentially a 40D body wrapped around a newly-developed 15 megapixel sensor that finally rectifies the situation in which Canon's XXD range trailed the company's entry-level line, in pixel terms. Canon is claiming that the new sensor's design (new manufacturing processes, redesigned photo diodes and micro lenses) mean that despite the higher resolution image noise has improved, something we'll be putting to the test later.

The other big change is the inclusion of a new, high-resolution LCD screen. 920,000 dots mean that it can convey 640 x 480 RGB pixels, making it effectively a VGA standard monitor. Three anti-reflection layers built into the screen do their best to keep it useable in bright conditions, too.

Exceptional Quality Images.
New 15.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor with improved noise reduction, wide range ISO 100-3200 (H1: 6400, H2: 12800), 14-bit conversion for smooth color tones and gradations.

The EOS 50D features a newly-designed 15.1-megapixel APS-C sized CMOS sensor which is capable of recording up to 4752 x 3168 pixels with full 14-bit A/D conversion for extremely fine tonal gradation. Ready to capture images in an instant, the sensor is designed to work with Canon's EF and EF-S lenses with a conversion factor of 1.6x. It's capable of recording at sensitivities previously too noisy for shooting in low light or subjects in motion. With a maximum ISO rating of 12800 combined with a 4-level High ISO speed noise reduction function, images that would have been impossible without the use of a strobe or flash become simple to record.

15.1 Megapixel APS-C Size CMOS Sensor

Canon EOS 50D Basic Features
15.1-megapixel APS-C-sized CMOS sensor with gapless microlenses
6.3 frames per second
3.0-inch LCD with 920,000 pixels
Top Status LCD
ISO range from 100 to 12,800
Shutter speeds 30 seconds to 1/8,000
Compact Flash Type I and II UDMA slots
Lithium-ion battery
5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9 inches (146 x 108 x 74mm)
1.81 pounds (822g) with battery and card, but no lens


Canon EOS 50D Special Features
DIGIC 4 offers faster processing
14-bit A/D conversion
New menu look
Live View with contrast detect AF option
Face detection autofocus in Live View mode
Silent shutter mode in Live View for wildlife shooting
Dedicated Live View button
Peripheral Illumination (vignetting) Correction
Highlight Tone Priority mode
Automatic Lighting Optimizer with multiple levels
New Creative Auto exposure mode gives beginning users more control over background blur and motion blur without having to understand aperture or shutter speed
Three RAW modes: RAW (15.1 megapixels), sRAW1 (7.1 megapixels), and sRAW2 (3.8 megapixels)
RAW modes available in Scene and full-auto modes as well as Creative Zone modes
EOS Integrated Cleaning System for three-phase dust control, removal, and subsequent deletion
Lens AF microadjustment function
Center AF point offers enhanced accuracy along both axes with lenses f/2.8 or faster
Scratch-resistant, anti-glare LCD coating
Capable of bursts of up to 90 Large/Fine JPEGs or 16 RAW images on a UDMA CF card
Multiple levels of noise reduction: Standard/Weak/Strong/None
HDMI output allows display of camera images on HD televisions
UDMA support
Nine cross-type AF sensors
Pentaprism with 0.95x magnification
Mode dial has two Custom modes
My Menu for quick access to common settings
Interchangeable focusing screens
Raw translation software included


In the Box
Canon EOS 50D body
Body cap (plus front and back lens caps if kit is purchased)
Camera strap EW-EOS50D
Battery Charger CG-580
Canon 50D Battery Pack BP-511A
USB cable IFC-200U
Video cable VC-100
Software CD with Digital Photo Professional for RAW conversion
Manuals, registration card