The Canon EOS 50D SLR Digital Camera features an APS-C sized 15.1-megapixel CMOS sensor for superb quality images and the latest DIGIC 4 Image Processor to provide superior color reproduction, and improved ISO capabilities for uncompromised shooting even in the dimmest situations. It also features a 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor, supercharged Live View Function with Face Detection Live mode, plus a number of automatic Image Correction settings and HDMI output.
The 15.1-megapixel image sensor delivers ultra-detailed images and the redesigned photo diodes and microlenses of the sensor extend its light gathering capabilities to ensure improved high ISO performance and low noise. Furthermore, the camera's ISO sensitivity is an astounding 3200 with expanded sensitivity to an ultra-sensitive 12800. The Integrated Cleaning System includes a Self Cleaning Sensor Unit with a fluorine coating to improve the camera's image quality by helping to reduce, repel and remove unwanted dust from the sensor. Plus, stubborn particles can be removed automatically in post-production with Dust Delete Data and Canon's included Digital Photo Professional software.
The 50D is incredibly fast thanks to the DIGIC 4 processor - it allows for up to 6.3 fps continuous shooting, in bursts of up to 90 JPEG images (with a UDMA CF card). Furthermore, Canon's wide area AF system uses 9 individual cross type sensors, so stunning action sequences can be captured - even in low-light conditions - making the EOS 50D particularly suited to sports and wildlife shooting. The DIGIC 4 processor also delivers 14-bit image processing, for smooth gradation and natural-looking colors - as well as ensuring ultra-fast startup times and near-instant image review after shooting.
The 3.0" Clear View VGA LCD (920,000 pixels) provides an extra-large and wide angle-of-view image review, with plenty of clarity for accurate focus checks in playback. By switching to Live View mode - which displays a real-time image on the LCD - photographers can enjoy simplified shooting from awkward angles, or connect to a PC for remote shooting. In addition, the Live Mode offers three ways to auto focus: Quick AF, Live AF, and Face Detection Live AF, which optimizes focus based on faces detected in the frame - for fast, spontaneous portraiture. The camera even offers HDMI output for viewing images on an HDTV - directly from the camera.
Even with all of these high powered features, the EOS 50D features Canon's renowned intuitive EOS menu system, along with a Quick Control screen, for instant access to the most commonly-changed settings. There is also a Creative Auto mode that offers automatic focus and exposure - while still allowing the user to add creative 'tweaks' to settings such as background sharpness. Altogether the Canon EOS 50D is an excellent product for advanced amateur photographers and entry-level professionals.
| Camera Type | Interchangeable Lens SLR (Single Lens Reflex) Digital Camera |
| Image Quality | |
|---|---|
| Image Sensor | APS-C size (22.3 x 14.9mm) 15.5 Megapixel single-plate CMOS sensor with RGB primary color filters & Low-pass Filter, and Self Cleaning Sensor Unit (Auto & Manual) |
| Effective Resolution | 15.1 Megapixel |
| Color Depth |
24-Bit RGB (JPEG) 42-Bit RGB (RAW) |
| Color Modes |
Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, User Defined (3) sRGB or Adobe RGB Color Space selectable |
| Image File Formats |
JPEG (Fine, Normal) RAW (.CR2) RAW+JPEG sRAW sRAW+JPEG |
| Recorded Resolution |
Large (4752 x 3168) Medium (3456 x 2304) Small (2352 x 1568) sRAW 1 (3267 x 2178) |
| Video Recording | No |
| Audio Recording | No |
| Optics | |
|---|---|
| Lens Mount | Canon EF mount (compatible with Canon EF lenses including EF-S lenses) |
| Focal Length Multiplier | 1.6x |
| Optical Image Stabilization | Supports Canon IS and equivalent lenses |
| Focus Control | |
|---|---|
| Focus Type |
TTL-CT-SIR AF using a dedicated CMOS sensor and 9 (Cross-type) AF points (Automatic or Manual selection) and AF-assist using built-in flash AF Working Range: EV -0.5 to +18 (ISO 100 at 73°F/23°C) |
| Focus Modes | Auto, One-Shot AF, Predictive AI Servo AF, AI Focus AF, Manual focusing (MF) |
| Exposure Control | |
|---|---|
| Sensitivity |
Auto ISO (100-6400) Basic Zone modes (ISO 100-3200) High Tone Priority mode(ISO 200-1600) Extension mode (ISO 12800 with C.Fn.I-3-1) |
| Shutter Type | Vertical-travel, mechanical, Electronically-controlled, focal-plane shutter |
| Shutter Speed |
30 - 1/8000 seconds Bulb |
| Mirror Lock-Up | Yes |
| Exposure Metering |
35-zone TTL full-aperture metering (Evaluative, Partial, Spot, Center-weighted average) Metering Range: EV 1-20 (at 73°F/23°C with EF50mm f/1.4 USM lens, ISO 100) |
| Exposure Modes | Program AE (Shiftable), Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Depth-of-field AE, Creative Auto, Full auto, Programmed image control modes (portrait, landscape, close-up, sports, night portrait, flash off), Manual exposure, E-TTL II autoflash program AE, Exposure Compensation (±3 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments), AE Lock |
| White Balance Modes | Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten Light, White Fluorescent Light, Flash, Custom, Color Temperature setting, White balance correction (±9 stops in full-stop increments), White balance bracketing (±3 stops in full-stop increments - Blue/amber or magenta/green bias) |
| Scene Modes | Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome |
| Flash | |
|---|---|
| Built-in Flash | Retractable, auto pop-up flash |
| Effective Flash Range | 13/43 (ISO 100, in meters/feet) |
| External Flash Connection | E-TTL Hot Shoe |
| External Flash Control | E-TTL II autoflash compatible with EX-series Speedlites |
| Maximum Flash Synchronization Speed | 1/250 second |
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Start-Up Time | 0.1 seconds |
| Shutter Lag | 0.059 seconds |
| Time Between Shots | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Burst Capability |
High-speed continuous: 6.3 fps Low-speed continuous: 3.0 fps Up to 60 images in JPEG (Large/Fine); 90 images with UDMA CF Card Up to 16 images in RAW Up to 11 images in RAW+JPEG |
| Self Timer | 10-seconds or 2-seconds |
| Interval Recording | No (Possible with optional TC-80N3 Remote or through tethered operation) |
| Date & Time Stamp | Yes |
| Memory & Power | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Built-in Memory | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compatible Memory Cards |
CompactFlash Card (Type I & II, UDMA-compliant) External Media (USB 2.0 mass storage compliant hard drive or via Wireless File Transmitter with optional WFT-E3A) |
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| File Size |
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| Battery Type |
BP-511A Lithium-ion Battery Pack (AA Batteries with optional BG-E2N or BG-E2 Battery Grip attached) |
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| Power Adapter | ACK-E2 AC Adapter Kit (optional) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Input/Output | |
|---|---|
| Computer Interface |
USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Extension System Terminal (for connection to WFT-E3A) |
| Direct Print Capable | PictBridge |
| Remote Control | N3-type terminal |
| Video Output |
Composite (NTSC & PAL selectable) HDMI (mini terminal) |
| System & Software Requirements |
Windows 98SE, 2000, ME, XP, Vista Mac OS 8.6-9.x, OS X (10.1 or later) |
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Viewfinder | Eye-level pentaprism (95% coverage, 0.95x magnification) with dioptric adjustment (-3.0 to +1.0m-1) and interchangeable Focusing screen (Ef-A standard focusing screen provided) |
| Viewfinder Info | AF information (AF points, focus confirmation light), Exposure information (shutter speed, aperture, ISO speed, AE lock, exposure level, spot metering circle), Flash information (flash ready, flash exposure compensation, High-speed sync, FE lock, Red-eye reduction light), Image information (Highlight tone priority, monochrome shooting, maximum burst, white balance correction, CF card information) |
| Depth-of-Field Preview | Yes |
| LCD Display | 3.0" TFT Color LCD (920,000 pixels) with Live View Mode and brightness adjust |
| Information Display |
Uses 3" Color LCD (Displays Exposure Settings, Warnings, Maximum burst for continuous shooting, Shots remaining, Power Status, etc.) Live View shooting (Displays Manual focus (Live View image interrupted for AF): Quick mode, Live mode, Live Face Detection mode, Magnified View (*5x or 10x at AF point), Grid Display, Exposure Simulation) |
| Language Options | 25 Languages supported |
| Playback Options | Single image, Single image + Image-recording quality/shooting information, histogram, 4- or 9-image index, magnified view (approx. 1.5x-10x), rotated image (auto/manual), image jump (by 10/100 images, index screen, by shooting date, by folder), slide show (all images/selected by date/folder), Image Protect, Image Erase |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 4.2 x 5.7 x 2.9" (108 x 146 x 74mm) |
| Weight | 25.7 oz (730g) body only |