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50D Review Summary: We've never held that megapixels were as important as noise handling and high-ISO performance, though, so we're excited that the 50D's 15.1 megapixels also includes excellent high-ISO performance. Other interface improvements are also welcome, including a Quick Control screen, as well as several feature enhancements, like face detection in Live View mode, and contrast-detect autofocus in Live View, all making the already great EOS 40D even better.
Imaging Resource rating: 5.0 out of 5.0

Canon EOS 50D Overview

by Shawn Barnett, Dave Etchells, Mike Tomkins, Zig Weidelich, and Andrew Alexander
Hands-On Preview: 09/03/08
Full Review: 11/03/08
Canon broke with its tradition of upgrading the line every 18 months, introducing the EOS 50D just 12 months from the introduction of the 40D. The move has helped Canon catch up with the Nikon D300, which made quite a splash in the market. With the same rugged, conservative body as the 40D, the Canon EOS 50D's only distinguishing mark is the silver bezel on its mode dial. There are a few minor changes to how the buttons and controls are used, but for the most part the Canon 50D's body is unchanged.
It's inside where you'll find the Canon 50D's major changes. First is the new 15.1-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, a significant upgrade from the 40D's 10-megapixel sensor. Major changes to the design of the microlens array as well as to the sensor itself have actually reduced sensor noise despite the increase in resolution. The change has allowed Canon to offer a wider range of ISO settings than the company has ever offered, ranging from ISO 100 to 3,200, plus two higher settings: H1 is equivalent to ISO 6,400 and H2 takes the camera to 12,800.
Canon's new DIGIC 4 processor is a part of the equation, moving the extra data at a faster pace than its predecessor, and keeping the camera to a high 6.3 frames per second while maintaining that 14-bit data for RAW images (this is a slight speed drop from the 40D's 6.5 fps).
The Canon 50D also has a new look to its menu, and a Quick Control system works off the previously neglected Multi-controller, making quick changes to commonly used functions easier to execute. Other software enhancements include a new vignetting correction, Automatic Lighting Optimizer with three levels, adjustable noise reduction, a Creative Auto mode, a lens micro adjustment function, and face detection autofocus in Live View mode.
Finally, the Canon EOS 50D has a much improved LCD screen that offers 920,000-dot resolution, making for a 640x480 screen, finally putting the 50D on par with some of its major competitors.
The Canon EOS 50D digital SLR retails for $1,399 body-only. A kit version including a 28 - 135mm zoom lens is also available, priced at $1,599, as well as a kit containing the new 18-200mm zoom lens, retailing for $2,099.99. The Canon 50D will accept virtually all EOS 40D accessories, including the battery grip, remote control, optional focusing screens, and battery.

Canon EOS 50D Review and User Report

by Shawn Barnett
The jump from the Canon 20D to 30D was similar to this transition from 40D to 50D, with most of the changes made internally. This time, though, those internal changes are more significant, helping the Canon 50D better compete against the current crop of 12 to 14-megapixel digital SLRs, including Canon's own consumer model, the 12.1-megapixel Rebel XSi (450D). In both cases, the 50D's resolution exceeds the norm for this level of camera, while the 40D's 10.1-megapixel resolution didn't exceed any of the market leaders at the time, nor did it hold up for long against the Canon XSi's 12.2 megapixels, introduced earlier this year.
We've never held that megapixels were as important as noise handling and high-ISO performance, though, so we're excited that the 50D's 15.1 megapixels also includes excellent high-ISO performance. Other interface improvements are also welcome, including a Quick Control screen, as well as several feature enhancements, like face detection in Live View mode, and contrast-detect autofocus in Live View, all making the already great EOS 40D even better.
Look and feel. The Canon EOS 50D weighs just a little less than the 40D, coming in at 1.81 pounds (822 grams) compared to the 40D's 1.86 pounds (844g), both with battery and card. Add the 18-135mm lens and weight is 3 pounds (1,375g), and with the 18-200, it's 3.16 pounds (1,436g). Dimensions are identical, at 5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9 inches (145.5 x 107.8 x 73.5mm), so if you're familiar with the 40D, you'll feel right at home with the Canon 50D.

The Canon EOS 50D's body is magnesium alloy, with slightly improved seals against dust and water. Seals protect connection ports, the battery compartment, and the compact flash door. The frame is stainless steel, and the mirror box is high-strength engineering plastic. Holding the Canon 50D is like gripping a well-sculpted rock: solid, with no twisting or creaking. The EF lens mount is metal, compatible with all Canon EOS EF and EF-S lenses.
The grip has a good-sized indent for the middle finger, as we've enjoyed on the EOS 5D, 40D and other recent SLRs we've handled. The indent on the 50D is a little broader than the 5D, and a lot bigger than the 1D-series. Regardless of size, this divot improves control and comfort, and better centers the hand for the right grip every time.

To remind you which camera you're holding, just look for the silver bezel on the mode dial on the EOS 50D's left shoulder (the 40D's bezel is black). The Canon 50D's new Mode dial bezel seemed like a minor change at first, but I find it helps read the dial more quickly, both indoors and out. The Print/Share button has been given real purpose when shooting, as it activates Live View mode. On the 40D, you had to press the SET button, which caused a lot of confusion, and took away the SET button's usual utility while in Live View mode. Below the LCD, the Jump button has disappeared, and the Info and Picture Styles buttons have moved left to make room for the FUNC. button. (Jump is now done with the Main Dial on the top deck, with the type of jump preset via a playback menu item.)

The Canon 50D's Multi-controller isn't new, but is now in charge of activating and navigating the Quick Control menu system that turns the new Status display into a simple graphical menu system. Ironically, the Quick Control dial doesn't activate the Quick Control system, but it does play a part. Press the center of the Multi-controller to activate the menu, then toggle around on the screen until you reach the setting you want to change. Then either press in on the Multi-controller to bring up the full array of options for that screen, or just turn the Quick Control or Main Dial to cycle through the available options without leaving the Quick Control menu.
Little else is new about the Canon 50D's control array. It's a very good design, with an excellent textured thumbgrip, a very good grip up front, and most controls are very easy to access. I'm not crazy about the Live View button's location on the left of the optical viewfinder, but it's at least in an area that you'll get used to accessing, since the Menu button is just to the left.

50D vs. 40D. A quick look at the Canon 50D and 40D side-by-side shows just how alike they are. The difference is only a change to the painted icons for a few buttons. Note the very different, blue reflection coming off the Canon 50D's screen, which is multi-coated to minimize glare, reduce smudges, and guard against scratches. Also carried over is the rubber seal around the flash hot shoe, made to mate with the 580EX II flash to keep water out of this normally unprotected electrical connection.