• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 15.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon EOS 50D
  • Olympus PEN E-PL3
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon 40D
40D vs 50D
 
Successor: Canon 60D
50D vs 60D
 
General
Model Number: 50D E-PL3
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1399.00 $699.99
Street Price: $999.95  
Date Available: 2008-10-15 2011-09-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 29.0 oz (822 g)
includes batteries
15.1 oz (428 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9 in.
(146 x 108 x 74 mm)
4.3 x 2.5 x 1.5 in.
(110 x 64 x 37 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS Live MOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Canon Panasonic
Effective Megapixels: 15.1 12.3
Sensor Format: APS-C 4/3
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.99 microns 4.29 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.6x 2.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 63 52
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.8 20.9
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.4 10.3
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 696 499
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)
4032 x 3024 (12.2 MP, 4:3),
3200 x 2400 (7.7 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
1920 x 1440 (2.8 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1280 x 960 (1.2 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG, 14-bit RAW, sRAW1, sRAW2 JPEG (EXIF 2.2), MPO (3D), 12-bit RAW (.ORF)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.3 5.3
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i (20Mbps/​17Mbps))
1280x720 (60p (17Mbps/​13Mbps))
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format:   AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Canon EF/EF-S Micro Four Thirds
Lens: Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R MSC M.Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 45 - 216mm 28 - 84mm
Focal Length (actual): 28 - 135mm 14 - 42mm
Zoom Ratio: 4.82x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5-22 (W), f/5.6-36 (T) f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 72.0mm 37.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: Yes
Digital Zoom Values:   2x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: AF-dedicated CMOS Sensor, 9 cross-type AF points, f/2.8 rotated cross center point Contrast Detect: High-speed, 35-point with Face Detection and Tracking. Auto from all 35 area, Single area from 35 area, Group Target area (9 area) from 35 area, Up to 8 Faces Detected
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 95% coverage, 0.95x mag., 22mm eyepoint. -3 to +1 diopter Optional EVF mounted in flash hotshoe
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.59x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.95x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 920,000 dots 460,000 dots (153,000 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 14.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200  
Minimum ISO (native): 100  
ISO Settings: Auto, 100 - 3200 in 1/3 or 1EV steps, H1=6400, H2=12800 Auto (customizable range), 200 - 12800 (1/3, 1 EV steps)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Kelvin 2800K - 10,000K Auto, Lamp, Fluorescent, Daylight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Underwater, Custom WB, One-touch WB
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 35-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Partial (9%), Spot (3.8%) 324-zone Digital ESP, Center Weighted Average, Spot (~1%, with Highlight/Shadow modes)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Creative Auto, Green Zone, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Action, Night Portrait, Flash Off, User1, User2 Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Macro, Sport, Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Children, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Document, Panorama, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Fisheye Conv, Wide Conv, Macro Conv, 3D, Underwater wide, Underwater macro; Art Filters (Pop Art, Soft Focus, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Dramatic Tone)
Self Timer: 10 or 2 seconds 2 or 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: E-TTL II Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Slow sync at 1st curtain, Slow sync at 2nd curtain, Fill-in, Manual (Full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64), Off. Wireless flash control supported.
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 13.0 m / 42.7 ft. 7.0 m / 23.0 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens aperture dependent Bundled external flash has GN of 7m (ISO 100) or 10m (ISO 200)
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe, PC Sync Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 14-bit RAW, sRAW1, sRAW2 12-bit RAW (.ORF)
Movie File Format:   AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Optional RM-UC1 wired remote
Connections (extended): N3-type push-in terminal, HDMI mini out Accessory Port 2, Multi Connector (USB/AV/Remote), Mini HDMI (Type C)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): <0.3 0.57
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): <0.3 0.56
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited 8
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.3 5.3
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 43 9
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.13 seconds 0.24 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.120 seconds 0.113 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.24 seconds 0.43 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.063 seconds 0.073 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View: Full AF, Quick Mode: 0.85s Prefocus, Quick Mode: 0.108s Full AF, Face Detect: 1.97s Full AF, Live Mode: 2.06s  
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 2.1 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.5 seconds 0.6 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 1.9 seconds 4.9 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   300 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 640 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BP-511/A, BP-512; BG-E2N Battery Grip Proprietary BLS-1 or BLS-5
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeble Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BP-511A Lithium-ion rechargeble Proprietary BLS-1 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Digital Photo Professional, EOS Utility, ZoomBrowser EX and ImageBrowser OLYMPUS Viewer 2/[ib] CD-ROM
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). Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, 3-inch 460k-dot Tilting LCD, TruePic VI Image Processor, "FAST" AF System, Burst mode up to 5.5fps, Full HD movies, 6 Art Filters. External FL-LM1 flash bundled. Available in Black, White, Silver and Red.