Canon EOS 50D first look preview - taking a close look at the specification of the recently announced Canon EOS 50D.
This is a preview of the Canon EOS 50D, not a full review. Bookmark this page to see the full test as it happens.
The replacement to the popular Canon EOS 40D has a higher resolution, a better rear monitor and is the first out of the stable sporting a new processor.
Canon EOS 50D: Specification
Resolution: 15.1Mp- Sensor type: CMOS
- Image size: 4752x3168
- Aspect ratio: 3:2
- Sensor size: 22.3x14.9mm
- Processor: DIGIC IV
- Autofocus points: 9 Autofocus system: TTL-CT-SIR
- Crop factor: 1.6x
- Lens mount: Canon EF/EF-S
- Metering system: 35-zone TTL
- Drive: 6.3fps (with UDMA enabled card)
- Sensitivity: True ISO100-3200 (expandable up to ISO12,800 equivalent)
- Screen size: 3.0in (920,000 dots)
- Card format: CF I/II, UDMA compatible
- Battery model: BP-511a
- Weight: 450g
- Size: 145.5x107.8x73.5mm
- File formats: JPEG, RAW
- Connectivity: USB 2.0
- Flash type: In-built, Hotshoe
- Flash metering: E-TTL II
- Flash sync speed: 1/250
- Image stabilisation: No (lens based)
- Integrated cleaning: Yes
- Live view: Yes
- Shutter speed: 30sec - 1/8000sec
- Viewfinder coverage: 95%
Canon EOS 50D: Modes and features
As a replacement to the 40D, it's good to see a camera with some upgrades worth talking about. Most noticeable on this new model is the higher resolution CMOS sensor but you have to look deeper to see the real improvements.
The sensor is larger by 0.1mm which only serves to aid in the quest to abolish noise. While it's going to be minimal improvements, it's improvements nonetheless. The larger resolution can run 
through onto the card at 6.3fps (frames per second) as long as you're using a UDMA enabled Compactflash card. To get to the card, the camera has to go through the processor so to have a drive of a similar performance from larger file sizes needs a faster processor and that's where the brand new DIGIC IV steps in. It runs at 14-bit which Canon say improves gradation and improves colours to look more natural. It also helps the start-up time and reviewing images on the new screen.
I'm surprised that the new EOS 50D doesn't have a higher burst rate but then it's not a higher specification camera and the market it's aimed at probably don't need it any faster. Not to mention that raising the performance in that way will only lead to adding new technology which would inevitably raise the price.
In a forum debate on the number of pixels and dots on a screen, I contacted Canon to get a clear understanding of how they measure their screen resolution. The reply was that they measure it in pixels and the current models had a resolution of 76,000. Canon felt it was unnecessary to include a higher resolution monitor as it made no difference to the human eye which came as a welcome opinion to some. However, the EOS 50D now has a 920,000 dot screen which is a similar specification found on the backs of Sony and Nikon DSLRs of the same classification.
As well as a higher resolution screen which is a carbon copy of the D300 and higher, the EOS 50D also has equivalent ISO settings available. The true setting ranges from ISO100-3200 with additional sensitivity of up to ISO12,800
Canon EOS 50D: Build quality
The Canon EOS 50D can bask in its own glory being being built from magnesium alloy. This gives it a lighter and sturdier feel which is great for the enthusiast on the move. Coupled with the dust and water resistance on the battery and memory card door means that the 50D is pretty tolerant to the elements.
The camera comes with live view and three focusing modes are available which are quick AF, live AF and face detection AF. This works in the same way as you'd find on a compact camera by triangulating faces in the frame and prioritising the focus on them.
It'll be interesting to see if this feature is needed or used by the market the camera is aimed at. If it is, then Canon will have scored a winner and you'll see the feature pushed onto all other future models.
Canon EOS 50D: Verdict
It looks to be a bit of an awkward release to me. The features are good, but not as good as the D90 which was released on the same day. The EOS 50D also has a couple of things that are already found on Nikon cameras such as the higher screen resolution and equivalent higher sensitivity.
If Canon want to get back some of the ground they've lost in the DSLR battle, I can only hope that the rumours of the EOS 5D MkII are true and that it has a truly remarkable feature set.
What the EOS 50D does have fitted is pretty good. A decent resolution, new processor and better screen will all help photographers in their day to day photography. It's just a shame that it's all been done before with other manufacturers. I'm not seeing any new enticing features on this camera and that's a shame.
The EOS 50D (body only) is available from end of September 2008 priced at £1199.99 RRP
1 comment:
The 50D does have a much better LCD, does handle colors slightly better, but has more noise in photos than the 40D at ISO400 and up, as well as softer images.
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