Latest - Review and Sample Photos by Bob Atkins (added 19 November’08)
Canon EOS 50D is a DSLR digital camera with a 15 megapixel CMOS sensor, faster DIGIC 4 processor, 3.0 inch VGA LCD with Live View offering 3 Auto Focus modes, updated integrated cleaning system, ISO sensitivity up to 12800, compatible with over 60 Canon EF/EF-S lenses and most EOS system accessories, and an HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) output for displaying full high-resolution images. The cameras Dimensions are (W x H x D) Approx. 5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9 in./145.5 x 107.8 x 73.5mm and it weighs Approx. 25.7 oz./730g (body only).
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Reviewers Conclusions & Verdicts - (updated 17 November’08)
Bob Atkins
“The ultimate test of a camera for me is whether I’d want to own it, and I’d want to own the EOS 50D. If Canon came along and said they’d give me an EOS 50D in trade for my EOS 40D, I’d take them up on their offer without another thought.”
Digital Trends
“If the EOS 50D were less expensive, it would be a shoe-in for our Editor’s Choice designation. But at close to $1,399 for the body alone, that’s a lot of jack to cough up, especially when the 12.3 MP Nikon D90 is available for only $999.”
Rating: 
Consumer Electronic Net
“Canon has redesigned the 50D so that now, if you open the card slot cover or turn the camera off your images still in the camera’s buffer will now get written to the card. With some of their older cameras you lost any images in the buffer if you did the same. Canon listened to their customers and changed the design. Gold star to Canon!”
The Digital Picture
“If you are serious about shooting action, the 50D is a much better choice. If you need more-professional reliability, the 50D is the better choice. If you are serious about your photography in general and can afford the higher price, the Canon EOS 50D is my recommendation over the XSi.”
Digital Camera Review
“For advanced amateur photographers, issues like flat default image processing, heavy camera weight, and overly complicated menus may indeed make the 50D a less-than-ideal choice.”
Pocket-lint
“Image quality is as good as I was expecting (caveats around the lack of shadow detail notwithstanding) and so the EOS 50D easily provides resolution enough customisability enough and the required high ISO noise control abilities, for almost any photography task.”
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Imaging Resource
“Its high frame rate, 14-bit A/D conversion, high-resolution LCD, and high-ISO are the Canon 50D’s most important features, with the high-resolution sensor coming in behind that.”
Lets Go Digital
“It’s a convincing performance of an unexpectedly introduced EOS D-SLR that will no doubt set the raise the alertness of the competition on alert. The Canon EOS 50D is absolutely a favourite, and worth every penny of its higher price compared to the EOS 40D.”
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DPReview
“Looking at the specification differences between the EOS 40D and our test candidate it appears you pay quite a premium for the 50D’s extra megapixels and as we’ve found out during this review you don’t get an awful lot of extra image quality for your money.”
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Digital Camera Info
“We were unimpressed by the merely average results in our lab testing, where the 50D consistently scored on par or worse than both its predecessor and the much less expensive Canon XSi.”
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CNET.co.uk
“Like other EOS cameras, the 50D is a dream to use, and that big control dial on the back makes EV compensation and other adjustments a breeze. It’s fast, responsive and hard as nails, but the results are actually a bit on the ordinary side.”
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TechRadar
“In use, the most obvious difference between the EOS 50D and the EOS 40D (one of the only differences in fact, as far as handling is concerned) is the improved LCD screen.”
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CNET
“Photos show excellent dynamic range, with no visible clipping in the highlights or shadows (of correct exposures). Like the 40D, though, they definitely fall within an acceptable range, automatic white balance under artificial lights tends to be a bit pink, and even manual white-balance shots measure a tad green-heavy.”
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CameraLabs
“Its features all add up to a very capable DSLR that handles confidently, delivers great results and is a joy to use. As such it easily earns our Highly Recommended award, although remember to exploit that high resolution you’ll need to couple it with a decent quality lens.”
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GoodGearGuide
“The 50D feels solid and robust. Its grip is quite chunky and it sits comfortably in the hand. Sporting the trademark rugged, boxy, black design of past mid-range SLRs it won’t win any fashion contests but it does the job nicely.”
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CNET Australia
“After having experienced the quality and depth of colour in the new LCD screen it will be very difficult to go back to the 40D and to other comparable models in its class. If you do a lot of on-camera reviewing and value an improved screen, consider the 50D. For most other uses though, it performs (and looks) remarkably similar to the 40D, making the choice as much about price as it is about features.”
Rating:
PhotoReview
“As well as providing some significant improvements over the EOS 40D, the EOS 50D offers not just a better-built body but a significantly higher level of functionality than its parallel consumer model, the EOS 450D. The new camera also provides some real competition for Nikon’s recently-released D90.”
OutbackPhoto
“Very good high ISO noise behavior, Live View has now an extra button, Viewfinder is quite good (like 40D), Canon EOS 50D has full support for AEB (Auto Exposure Bracketing), LDC much improved, RAW files can be 17-25 MB in size (14 bit RAWs). This means you need enough disk space and memory.”
PhotographyBlog
“The EOS 50D is both a worthy upgrade for current 40D owners and a real challenger to the D300, mainly thanks to the larger 15 megapixel sensor, new Digic 4 processor and expanded ISO range, which thankfully haven’t compromised image quality in any way.”
Rating:
Roland Lim
“The 50D gives you 50% more sensor resolution than the 40D. It has a better LCD display, which can be used to critically check image sharpness and focus. It also has other new useful features like AF microadjustment, and those who have been haunted by back-focus lenses would certainly welcome this feature.”
DPReview
“One of the most striking differences is the provision of a greatly improved LCD. The size remains unchanged at 3.0″ but the resolution rises from 230,000 dots to 920,000.”
Actual Owner Feedback
“I have had my hands on a 50D for exactly two days, and have taken only a few more than 100 photos; however, it is clear to me that this is no “40D Mark II.” It is a giant step-up from the 40D and, in my opinion, akin to a jump between the 20D and 40D (the 30D skipped intentionally).”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“The Canon 50D is a robust and capable camera that produces stunning images even at very high ISOs.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“I will say that I find the image quality and the auto-focus accuracy of the 50d to be noticeably better than the 40d. I have no regrets making the upgrade.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“Wow….this is a great camera. I’ve owned and used several Canons and a couple of Nikons over the years and I think this is the fastest camera I’ve ever used.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“Be assured that this camera can withstand a good long time in your hands, without getting obsolete. Its high quality level and electronic advances that let you produce absolutely amazing pictures won’t let you down in a long time to come. “
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
Sample Photos
[Sample Photos at Bob Atkins]
[Sample Photos at Consumer Electronic Net]
[Sample Photos at Pocket-lint]
[Sample Photos at Imaging Resource]
[Sample Photos at Lets Go Digital]
[Sample Photos at DPReview]
[Sample Photos at Digital Camera Info]
[Sample Photos at CNET]
[Sample Photos at CameraLabs]
[Sample Photos at CanonRumors]
[Sample Photos at ImagingResource]
[Image Quality Samples at PhotographyBlog]
[Sample Photos at DPReview]
Specifications & Camera Profile
Owners Manual
Press Excerpt
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., August 26, 2008 – With the demand for digital SLR cameras reaching unprecedented levels, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, is answering the call with the announcement of the next evolution in advanced amateur digital SLR photography, the EOS 50D Digital SLR Camera with 15.1 megapixel resolution and Canon’s new DIGIC 4 image processor. Designed to offer extraordinary quality and image control for the advanced photographer with a passion for the art, the Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR camera includes an expanded ISO range, improved noise reduction, and in-camera photo editing features. Canon has loaded the EOS 50D camera with a number of enhancements and some trickle-down technology from Canon’s professional Digital SLR cameras, as well as a new Creative Auto Mode (CA) that gives users more creative flexibility to make image setting adjustments conveniently without the need to be a photo expert.
Canon has built upon the success of the popular EOS 40D model – which will remain in Canon’s line – with the EOS 50D Digital SLR camera. Expected to be the camera body of choice for advanced amateur photographers this holiday season, the Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR camera carries over the EOS 40D’s 14-bit Analog-to-Digital conversion process for smooth tones, and also includes enhanced noise reduction, especially at higher ISO ranges which will help bring those romantic nighttime shots into greater focus and clarity. Capable of shooting 6.3 frames per second (fps), the EOS 50D Digital SLR camera is ideal for shooting everything from beautiful night landscapes to fast-action sports.
“Advanced amateur photographers blur the line between the hobbyist and the professional, looking for professional features and capabilities in their equipment that will allow them to capture that awe-inspiring image. Canon is constantly striving to provide these shooters with the most advanced imaging technology, like the new EOS 50D Digital SLR camera, to fuel their passion for photography, and help them achieve their creative potential,” stated Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.
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