Nov 21, 2009Your source for the most comprehensive and informative digital camera reviews
Camera home > Camera Reviews > Canon Reviews > Canon EOS 50DFull Review
Canon EOS 50D A Full Review covers everything, including operation. (more)
Links
Model Name: Canon EOS 50D 
Check Prices: Check Now!
Photo Gallery URL: Photo Gallery
Device Forum URL: Forum
Manufacturer URL: Mfr. Website
General
Model Number: 50D 
Camera Format: Pro SLR 
Currently Manufactured: Yes 
Retail Price: $1399.00
Street Price: $1132.55
Date Available: 2008-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes (Metal)
Weight: 29.0 oz
(822 g)
Weight With Batteries? Yes 
Size: 5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9 in.
(146 x 108 x 74 mm)
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS 
Sensor Manufacturer: Canon 
Total Megapixels: 15.5
Effective Megapixels: 15.1 
Sensor Format: APS-C 
Sensor Size (dia.): 1.07"
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.6
Color Filter Type: RGBG 
Self-Cleaning: Yes 
Sensor-shift Stabilized: No 
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4752 x 3168 (15.1 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2352 x 1568 (3.7 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG, 14-bit RAW, sRAW1, sRAW2 
Video Capture
Movie Mode:  
Movie Resolution: n/a
Movie Frame Rate: n/a
Movie Audio: n/a 
Movie File Format: n/a 
Optics
Lens Mount: Canon EF, EF-S 
Kit Lens: n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):  
Zoom Ratio:  
Aperture Range:  
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:  
Optical Image Stablization: No
Digital Zoom:  
Digital Zoom Values:  
Filter Thread: n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes 
Auto Focus Type: AF-dedicated CMOS Sensor, 9 cross-type AF points, f/2.8 rotated cross center point 
Face Detection: Yes 
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes 
Manual Focus: Yes 
Optical Viewfinder
Optical Viewfinder: Yes 
Optical Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 95% coverage, 0.95x mag., 22mm eyepoint. -3 to +1 diopter 
Display
LCD Viewfinder: Yes 
LCD Size (inches): 3.0
LCD Resolution (pixels): 920,000
Articulating LCD: No 
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x
Exposure
ISO Settings: Auto, 100 - 3200 in 1/3 or 1EV steps, H1=6400, H2=12800
Auto ISO Mode: Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Kelvin 2800K - 10,000K 
Shutter Speed Range: 30 - 1/8000
Bulb Mode: Yes 
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 35-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Partial (9%), Spot (3.8%) 
Program AE: Yes 
Aperture Priority: Yes 
Shutter Priority: Yes 
Full Manual Exposure: Yes 
Creative Exposure Modes: Creative Auto, Green Zone, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Action, Night Portrait, Flash Off, User1, User2 
Self Timer: 10 or 2 seconds
Time Lapse:  
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes 
Flash Modes: E-TTL II 
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 13 m / 43 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens aperture dependent 
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 
Flash Exp Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Ext Flash Connection: Hot Shoe, PC Sync 
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 
Memory Included (MB):  
File System: FAT32 
DCF Compliant: Yes 
Connectivity
Composite Video Out: Yes 
NTSC/PAL Switchable: Yes 
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes 
HD Video Out: Yes 
HD Video Connection: HDMI 
Built-In Wi-fi: No 
Computer/Printer: USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes 
DPOF Compliant: Yes 
Remote Control: Yes 
Remote Control Type: Optional 
Other Connection: N3-type push-in terminal, HDMI mini out 
Power
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BP-511/A, BP-512; BG-E2N Battery Grip 
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeble 
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BP-511A Lithium-ion rechargeble
Battery Charger Included: Yes 
CIPA Rating: 640 
Software
Included Software: Digital Photo Professional, EOS Utility, ZoomBrowser EX and ImageBrowser  
OS Compatibility: Windows XP/Vista, Mac OS X. 
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 15.1-megapixel upgrade to 40D: APS-C, DIGIC IV, 920K LCD, HDMI Out, Vignetting Correction, AF Microadjustment for up to 20 lenses, new Creative Auto exposure mode, 4-step adjustable high-ISO NR, 4-step adjustable ALO, 6.3 fps, Face Detection in LV mode. Native ISO range, 1/3 stop adjustable up to 3,200. H1 is 6,400, H2 is 12,800. Variable RAW (15.1MP (L), 7.1MP(M), 3.8MP(S) in RAW). 

 


Reader Comments! --> Visit our discussion forum for the Canon EOS 50D!

Print the specs page for the Canon EOS 50D digital camera reviewPrint this Page

Note: For details, test results, and analysis of the many tests done with this camera, please click on the tabs at the beginning of the review or below.

Bookmark/Share this review: Blinklist BlogMarks Del.icio.us Digg FeedMe Furl Google Ma.gnolia Mr.Wong MyWeb Netvouz RawSugar Reddit Scuttle Socializer StumbleUpon Spurl Yigg

Also Consider...

Click below for similar cameras from our Dave's Picks section.

image of Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital camera Canon EOS 5D Mark II
21.1 megapixels
$2,617.88
Check Prices!
Astonishing image quality even at high ISOs, and the bonus of video capture, all for a relatively reasonable price

image of Nikon D3X digital camera Nikon D3X
24.5 megapixels
$7,498.65
Check Prices!
Nikon's D3x is the ultimate picture-taking machine, with the highest image quality we've ever measured.

image of Nikon D700 digital camera Nikon D700
12.1 megapixels
$2,611.98
Check Prices!
The price of full-frame digital SLR excellence just went down a notch


Shopping for someone else? Try some other Dave's Picks categories:

All Around | Long Zoom | Budget | Pocket | Mid-size | Macro

Imaging Resource Monitor Calibration Checker
Stay up to date with all the latest - Sign up for our free biweekly email newsletter!


Purchase memory card for Canon EOS 50D digital camera

Got BATTERIES?

Digicams eat batteries!
You need good rechargeable NiMH cells, and
Thomas
Distributing

has the best prices on the web. (You'll want at least 2-3 sets, plus a charger.) Check them out!

Free Photo Lessons

Check out the Free Photo School program for lessons and tips on improving your photographs!

Simple pro lighting and use tips let you snap stunning photos. Check out our free Photo School area!