Canon EOS 50D Review

Canon's new 15.1-megapixel EOS 50D is a 'big brother' model to the popular EOS 40D (which remains in the company's line-up) and a 'little brother' to the coming EOS 5D Mark II. Offering higher resolution than the 40D, it has a new DIGIC 4 image processor, which supports 14-bit image processing, improved noise reduction and 30% faster processing times. It also delivers continuous shooting speeds of up to 6.3 frames/second with a UDMA CompactFlash card.

Despite having smaller photosites than the 10.1-megapixel 40D, the 50D's sensor is quite a different beast. New manufacturing processes, plus redesigned photo diodes and 'gapless microlenses' enable it to capture more light, thereby providing a better signal-to-noise ratio than the bare specifications imply. These changes have enabled Canon to boost the camera's normal ISO range up to 3200 and add two 'HI' settings that take sensitivity up to an impressive ISO 12,800 equivalent.

Like other recent Canon DSLRs, the 50D comes with Canon's EOS Integrated Cleaning System. This, too, has been improved by applying a new fluorine coating to the low-pass filter to repel environmental dust. Stubborn dust particles can be removed automatically post-capture with Dust Delete Data logging plus Canon's supplied Digital Photo Professional software.

Physically, the 50D's body and control layout are almost identical to the 40D. Both models feature magnesium-alloy casings with a rubberised cover on the grip. According to Canon, the 50D's body has better environmental sealing than the 40D's. Both cameras share the same accessories, including the BP-511A battery and ACK-E2 adaptor/charger, the BG-E2 battery grip, TC-80N3 remote control and WFT E3/E3A wireless file transmitter.

Margaret Brown

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