Canon EOS 50D 15.1MP Digital SLR Camera
Canon’s new EOS 50D bridges the gap between the novice and the seasoned pro with high-speed and quality. It features an APS-C sized 15.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, new DIGIC 4 Image Processor, and improved ISO capabilities up to 12800 for shooting even in the dimmest situations. It features a refined 3.0-inch Clear View LCD (920,000 dots) monitor, supercharged Live View Function with Face Detection Live mode, plus a number of new automatic Image Correction settings and HDMI output for viewing images on an HDTV.
The new screen is perhaps the most obvious upgrade to anyone used to a 30 or 20D, the screen is stunningly clear and the higher resolution is obvious from the moment you turn it on.
The Digic 4 menu system is far easier to get along with compared to previous models, and the user custom menu allows you to configure your favorite options all on one place.
The 15 megapixel sensor is honestly overkill in my opinion, there is way too much attention pushed to the ‘make it higher everytime’ by camera companies. 8 megapixels is more than enough for most people out there and big enough for most normal size prints, I’ve printed up to 13 inches without any problem. The one thing the extra mega pixels does give you is the option to crop closer in post processing.
Live view is nice, but I’ll probably never use it. One of the reasons I like my DSLR over my point and shoot is the way the view finder allows me to see nothing but the shot and compose exactly the way I want without any distractions. Personally I still think Live view is an odd feature to put in a mid to high range DSLR but I can see where Canon would want to target those people used to point and shoot cameras. And most likely is something designed to get slowly move us towards the video/still camera style of which the 5D mkII is the future I’m sure.
I have to say at first I was some what concerned how sharp the images were at the full resolution, I shoot with the 24-105 F4/L and 70-200 F/4L and both of those lenses are incredibly sharp on my 30D. However I believe now that it is the software that is to blame, I have never been impressed with Canon’s software and am delighted that Adobe has released Camera RAW 4.6 to allow me to get back into Bridge and Photoshop CS3. I hope that Lightroom 2.1 gets released soon as that is my normal workflow and image management application. (I do also use Aperture 2 but I am sure that will be a while before it becomes compatible with 50D RAW files).
The in camera JPEG files are OK…until you see what the RAW files can do, but at times it’s nice to use in camera JPEG’s when I am just doing point and shot stuff.
The camera feels very solid, and the build quality is excellent, the main scroll wheel feels much better than my 30D which always felt a little soft on the clicks.
Filed under Lenses, Professional, SLR, camcorders, zoom lens by Product Reviews
