Canon EOS 50D 15.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Reviews

• Detailed Review of the Canon 50D - I love this Camera!!!!!!!!!!!!

  
  By A2KF3QSLO0NT61 on 2008-10-09
  SECTION 1: WHO IS THIS REVIEW FOR
  This review is close to 10 pages long because it was written for people who are not proficient with the terms and concepts used in the DSLR world. If you are a proficient DSLR user then I would recommend that you check one of the much shorter reviews here or dpreview. For example, you already know what vignetting is and therefore understand the importance of the new lens peripheral illumination correction feature. However, a new DSLR buyer does not know what this means and this is why I therefore explain what each feature really is so these people can then decide if the feature is really important to them.
  
  
  SECTION 2: INTRODUCTION
  It has been just over a year now since I purchased my Canon 40D. At the time, I was just beginning to take my photography really serious. Since then, a lot has changed. I have now become a semi-pro. I still have my full-time job as an IT Manager here in Miami. However, I do a lot of photography work, especially events, on the weekends.
  
  I really love my 40D but as I started doing more and more professional work I realized three things:
  
  1. I needed a second camera body
  2. I needed a camera with a more professional focusing system.
  3. I needed a camera with even higher ISO performance
  
  It was rumored back then that the replacement for the Canon 5D would be out in the first quarter of 2008. I decided to wait for it. However, when the time came there was no news from Canon about the 5D replacement. This was back in March 2008. The Nikon D300 had now been out for a while by then. I thought about buying it but I decided to wait until it was fully reviewed by dpreview as I wanted to see if Nikon had really finally addressed the high ISO performance issues. I ordered it one day after it was reviewed by Phil Askey on dpreview.
  
  Since then, I have been using both the Canon 40D and the Nikon D300. I know it is a bit of a strange combo. People are always surprised when they see that I am using a Canon and a Nikon together.
  
  I took all three cameras - Canon 40D, Canon 50D and Nikon D300 - over the weekend to the Miami Seaquarium to see how the new Canon 50D compared with both of them.
  
  
  
  SECTION 3: NEW/CHANGED FEATURES
  A. High-resolution LCD Screen
  The LCD screen is still 3 inches. However, Canon has now increased the resolution from 230,000 dots to 920,000 dots which is the same as that found on the Nikon D300. Of course, this makes it a lot easier to check images on playback to see if they are sharp and in focus. More important, however, is the fact that Canon added a two layer anti-reflective coating which makes it way easier now to review images in bright sunlight. It is a lot easier to review images on the Nikon D300 than the Canon 40D. However, the Canon 50D definitely surpasses the Nikon D300 when reviewing images in bright sunlight.
  
  B. 15.1 Megapixel CMOS Sensor
  I think the MP increase is the biggest surprise to me since Canon has always been conservative when it comes to this. However, this increase now seems to be the trend as the new Canon EOS 5D Mark II has gone from 12 MP to a whopping 21 MP. I was always puzzled by the fact that the baby Canon Rebel had more MP than its big brother.
  
  I can clearly see the difference in the resolution of the images produced by the 15.1 MP Canon 50D and those from the 10 MP Canon 40D. For a casual shooter this is not a big deal. However, for professionals shooting events this is really useful. Whenever I shoot an event I try not to turn it into a photo shoot. People are there to have fun. That is the first priority. I need to be able to get my shots fast. Many times this means getting the shot and then doing some cropping to make it perfect. Having 15 MP to play with can be a life savior here. Of course, if I only did portraits where I have time to pose my subjects this would be less important to me.
  
  There is a small difference in the resolution of the images from the 15.1 MP Canon 50D and the 12.1MP Nikon D300.
  
  
  C. High ISO Performance
  The ISO setting control how sensitive the image sensor is to light. As the light gets lower you can increase the ISO to avoid using the flash. This is really important when you want to shoot in available natural light such as at dusk or at dawn when the light is really beautiful. Another example is when you want to photograph a bride and groom during the first dance without using the flash so you capture all the romance. The downside to increasing the ISO is that the resulting photos will tend to get grainier as the ISO increase.
  
  The Canon 40D allowed me to go to ISO 1600 and then expand it to ISO 3200. When I just started out doing casual shots this was okay. However, I find that I often needed to go higher than 1600 and of course I was forced to use ISO 3200. On the Nikon D300 I could go all the way up to ISO 3200 standard so if I needed to use anything higher than ISO 1600 I would use the Nikon D300. That way if I only needed ISO 2000 I could use that setting rather than use ISO 3200. I must let you know that Nikon did fix the high ISO performance issues that plagued its DSLRs prior to the Nikon D300.
  
  The Canon 50D now comes with a standard range of ISO 100 to 3200 just like the Nikon D300. However, the concern that I had was that with the big increase in MP count there would be much more noise (grain) at the higher ISOs. The more MP you have the more noise you tend to get at higher ISOs. I would have much preferred a smaller MP count and better high ISO performance. However, the engineers at Canon have really outdone themselves this time. The high ISO performance of the Canon 50D is just as good as the Nikon D300 even though it has 3MP more. Much of this is due to the fact that Canon is now using gapless micro lenses on the image sensor. This seemed to have really increased the light gathering capabilities of the pixels.
  
  The Canon 50D ISO can be expanded to 6400 (H1) and 12800 (H2). The Nikon D300 can only be expanded up to 6400. However, on the Nikon D300 you can go from 3200 to H0.3 and then to H0.7 before you get to H1.0 which is 6400. This is more flexible than having to go straight to 6400 since you should generally try to use lower ISO speeds.
  
  You might be thinking that it is absurd that anyone should want to use ISO 6400 and worse ISO 12800. However, there are times when getting the shot is more important than the quality of the shot itself. A good example here is when shooting sports. If the light becomes very bad for whatever reason you will need to increase your ISO as much as possible to get high enough shutter speeds to freeze the action.
  
  D. Auto ISO Range (100 to 1600)
  I have been to Butterfly World on several occasions to get photos of butterflies, birds and the tropical plants there. It is normally very sunny so to save time I shoot in Aperture priority mode. This allows me to simply set the aperture and then let the camera automatically set the shutter speed based on the current ISO and aperture settings. One thing about South Florida is that one minute it can be very sunny and then in just a few minutes it can become real cloudy. The problem this pose is that when it becomes real cloudy the shutter speed selected by the camera can be so low that it would result in camera shake which in turn results in blurry images. When I just started out my photography this actually happened to me as I would simply forget to check the shutter speed that was selected by the camera.
  
  The auto ISO feature lets the camera automatically change the ISO to suit the shooting mode. For example, when in aperture priority mode if the camera detects that the shutter speed selected would result in camera shake it automatically increases the ISO. This feature is available on the Canon 40D. However, the maximum ISO it would automatically set is 800. The Canon 50D will now set ISO up to 1600 which is a lot more flexible.
  
  The Nikon D300 actually takes the auto ISO concept further by allowing you to set the maximum ISO you want the camera to set and the minimum shutter speed you are willing to work with before the camera start to automatically set the ISO. This gives ultimate control to the photographer.
  
  
  E. Burst Buffer
  Another concern I had with the big increase in MP count was the impact it would have on the burst rate. With the MP count going from 10 to 15 this would normally result in a much slower burst rate. However, the new DIGIC IV image processor is a lot faster than the previous DIGIC III processor so the burst rate is pretty much the same at 6.3 frames per second from 6.5 frames per second. If you use a UDMA card with the Canon 50D you can buffer up to close to 90 large/fine JPEGs versus the 75 on the Canon 40D. The Nikon D300 can store up to 100 large/normal JPEGs at a burst rate of 6 frames per second. With the optional MB-D10 batter pack you can get 8 frames per second.
  
  
  F. Lens Peripheral Illumination Correction
  It is just a fact of life that the light entering a lens tends to fall off around the edges. This tends to be more pronounced when the lens is wide open. The resulting photo will appear dark around the edges. You will see it sometimes referred to as Vignetting. It is more common on cheaper lenses. However, even the most venerable and expensive lenses are not immune to this problem. I have sometimes seen it on my professional grade lenses such as the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS lens and even the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 G lens.
  
  If you have Photoshop CS3 you can quickly correct this problem. However, that is still one more thing that you have to worry about which increases your workflow. The Canon 50D has a database of 26 lenses that it will automatically correct Vignetting for. In addition you can enter another 14 models. This feature can be a really big time saver when you have many photos that were shot with the lens wide open. An example of this would be a photo shoot in natural low light where you have to shoot with the lens wide open most of the times. I remember one such shoot that I did with both the Canon 40D and Nikon D300. When I returned home I had to sit there and review each photo in Photoshop CS3 for Vignetting and fix the ones that I found. This is despite the fact that I had used two professional grade lenses for the photo shoot.
  
  This correction works with JPEG as well as RAW images.
  
  Note that this feature is turned off by default. The reason is that Canon has no idea whether the lens that you are using will work with this feature. Even when you activate it you have to check to make certain that you see "Correction Data Available" which confirms that it does work with your lens. If not you can add your lens to one of the available 14.
  
  The Nikon D300 does not offer Vignetting correction but it does offer chromatic aberration (CA) correction which is not on the Canon 50D. CA is the colored fringes that you sometimes see in photos. The colored fringe normally happens along some edge in the photo where there is strong contrast. A good example is a photo of a white house with green trees in the background. The edge where the green trees meet the white house in the image is a good candidate for some kind of color fringing. Once again, this is something that can be corrected in Photoshop CS3 but anything that can be done by the camera will save a lot of time in post processing.
  
  
  G. Live View Functionality
  If there was one feature that I really missed from back when I had my Canon S5 IS point-and-shoot camera it was face detection. It's a feature that people always asked me about since the Canon 40D and Nikon D300 both had live view but no face detection. When I use live view on the Canon 40D and Nikon D300 I normally focus manually so I can zoom in on the face and then tweak the focus to make sure that it is as sharp as possible. With the 50D I can now save some time by using the new Face Detect live view mode. I also tried it with groups of people and it is pretty good at detecting the faces there as well.
  
  The refresh rate for live view on the Canon 40D/50D is 30 frames per second which is twice that on the Nikon D300 and even the Nikon D3. This makes the Canons better if you want to pan in live view.
  
  One of the biggest advantages of shooting digital is the ability to review a shot immediately to make certain it is good. Because the LCD monitor is just 3 inches, most photographers doing professional work also zoom in to check the focus and sharpness of the photo. You cannot simply look at the brightness of the image on the LCD monitor and assume that the exposure was good. For example, if you are in a dark room and take a photo, when you view it on the LCD monitor it will look very bright but that is because you are in a dark room. The exposure might not be really good and it is possible that the photo is actually underexposed.
  
  When you are doing critical work the best way to review a photo is to view the associated histogram. This is nothing more than a grayscale graph of the tonal values in the photo. An ideal histogram is shaped like a dumb-bell or like a wave that goes up and then down. It goes from black (shadows) on the left and gradually to white (highlights) on the right. A quick check is to see if any of these are clipped (cutoff). If the highlights are clipped it means that something in the photo was overexposed. If the shadows are clipped it means that something was underexposed. If most of the values are to the left (shadows) it generally means that the photo is underexposed. If most of the values are to the right (highlights) it generally means that the photo is overexposed. The Canon 50D has a live view histogram. This is something that is somehow missing from the Nikon D300.
  
  WARNING: If you are coming from a point-and-shoot (P & S) background it is important to understand that live view on a DSLR is different from what you are accustomed to.
  
  (1) The first thing you need to be aware of is that live view is really suitable for still subjects that do not move. A good example of this is if you want to a portrait of your kids where you can get them to stay still. On the other hand, it is not suitable for taking action shots such as your kids playing or of their dance performances. For these action shots you should start out using the sports automatic mode which is for action photography when you don't know how to set your own shooting parameters.
  
  (2) Live View is only available in the creative modes. If you want to use it and you are a beginner you will have to put the camera in Program (P) mode. This is one of the creative modes but the camera set everything for you so you don't have to worry about setting anything. The only thing you will have to remember is to lift up the flash when it is needed.
  
  (3) To use auto focus you will have to press the AF-ON button. You can focus manually the usual way.
  
  
  H. Quick Control Screen
  One feature that I really have enjoyed using on the Canon 40D is to use the LCD screen to set my shooting parameters such as ISO and drive mode. However, I had to push the info button twice for the screen to appear and I still had to use the buttons on the top of the camera. The Canon 50D has improved on this concept. Now all I have to do is push the multi-controller straight down to get into what is now called the Quick Control Screen where the shooting parameters are displayed on the LCD screen. Also, I can now use the multi-controller to simply select any shooting function and the use the quick-control dial to change its settings. Of course, this is a lot easier than having to make selections by pushing different buttons on the top of the camera.
  
  The Nikon D300 has the same kind of functionality here as the Canon 40D. However, the user interface is a lot friendlier on the Canon as the names of all the icons are also displayed as well. Remember that the Nikon D300 is targeted at more advanced shooters so it does not bother with showing the names of icons. It does not even come with any automatic modes like the Canons.
  
  I. Creative Auto Mode
  When you use the Full Auto mode the camera controls just about everything. You cannot even decide whether you want to use the flash or use continuous shooting. The Canon 50D no longer has a C3 mode dial. It has a new Creative Auto (CA) mode dial. When you use this mode dial the Creative Auto screen comes up on the LCD monitor. The settings start out just as if you were shooting in full auto mode. However, you can use the multi-controller to select and make changes to any of the following: flash firing, picture brightness, picture style, image-recording quality. You can also decide whether you want to use single, continuous or self-timer shooting.
  
  There is one special change that you can make here that needs special mention. You have probably seen some beautiful portraits where the background is beautifully blurred. This not only makes the subject stands out but also gives the portrait an overall artistic look. The only problem is that you have to be able to set your own aperture to achieve this effect. The Canon 50D has now changed all that. When you are in CA mode, you now have a graphic slider on the Creative Auto screen that you can drag one way to blur the background more and drag it the other way to make the background sharper. There is absolutely no need for you to have any idea about aperture and depth-of-field. You can now produce portraits with beautiful backgrounds (bokeh) simply by dragging a slider!
  
  Since the Nikon D300 is targeted at advanced shooters you won't find something like this on it. It is assumed that if you are buying a camera like that, that you already know how to set your own aperture and shutter speed etc.
  
  
  J. High ISO Noise Reduction
  Earlier on I told you that as you start using really high ISOs you will start noticing more and more grains (noise) in the photos. Cameras like the Canon 40D, Canon 50D and Nikon D300 all offer a custom setting which allows you to specify whether you want the camera to reduce high ISO noise. You might be wondering why the camera does not simply always try to reduce high ISO noise. Well, there is a trade-off involved here. As you try to reduce the noise you will lose some of the details. If you are taking a photograph and you need to preserve details even at the expense of some noise you can simply chose to turn off high ISO noise reduction. If it is more important to get a clean photograph even though you might lose some of the details then you should turn high ISO noise reduction on. One major drawback of using high ISO noise reduction is that it greatly reduces the burst rate. This is another reason why it is turned off by default.
  
  The Canon 40D offers just 2 settings here - on and off. The Canon 50D allows 4 settings - standard, low, strong and disable. This gives you much more flexibility as you can chose to use a low setting rather than just an on setting which is the equivalent of strong.
  
  The Nikon D300 also has 4 settings which are pretty much the same as those on the Canon 50D even though they are named slightly different.
  
  
  K. Micro AF Adjustment of Lenses
  Starting with the Canon 40D, Canon started trickling down some of features from the professional 1D Mark III DSLR. One feature that did not make it down to the Canon 40D is the ability to fine-tune the AF on your lenses. This advance feature is now on the Canon 50D. You can chose to adjust all lenses by the same amount or you can actually adjust up to 20 lenses individually.
  
  This feature is also on the Nikon D300.
  
  L. HDMI Output
  One of the biggest advantages of shooting digital is that you can review your shots right away as well as show them to your clients or friends right there if you have a display unit that you can hook your camera up to. Of course the craze these days is HD. Everything just seems to look better in HD. There was no HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) output on the Canon 40D so you could not do a slideshow on a HDTV. With the 50D you can now do that. You can now take some really cool photos of your kids and view them right there on your HD television which makes a huge difference from viewing them on a non-HD display.
  
  The Nikon D300 has this feature.
  
  
  M. Auto Lighting Optimizer
  When you photograph a scene that is evenly lit your camera does a very good job of setting a proper exposure to ensure that your main subject comes out bright enough. However, if the scene contains high contrast areas of brightness and darkness it can trick the camera and cause your main subject to come looking really dark. For example, if you try to photograph your friend with the sun behind him you will most likely find that your friend comes out looking really dark. This is because the bright light from the sun in the background tricks the camera into believing that there is more light on your main subject than there really is.
  
  The auto lighting optimizer feature enables the camera to better handle these kinds of scenarios by lightening the dark areas in a scene such as your friend while still keeping the details in the bright areas such as the sun in the background. This feature was not on the Canon 40D but it was added to the Canon Rebel XSi which came after it. With the Canon 50D you now get this feature but with 4 settings rather than just the enable and disable settings found on the Canon Rebel XSi. You can choose from standard, low, strong or disable.
  
  This feature is on the Nikon D300 with similar 4 settings.
  
  
  N. New sRAW
  There is a new extra small raw file format. With the 50D you now have the option of shooting RAW files at 3.8MP, 7.1MP and of course the whopping 15.1MP.
  
  
  O. That Darn Print Button
  I don't know what is it about that darn print button that Canon just refuses to get rid of it. Yes, it is still there on the Canon 50D. However, this time you can use it as a shortcut to live view. This is a welcome change over the Canon 40D. On that camera I had to store a short cut to live view in the My Menu tab. Now with the Canon 50D I can turn live view on and off by simply pressing the print button.
  
  
  P. New Function Button
  The jump button is still there but its functionality has changed. It is now a function button that you can decide which of the following menu items you want it to activate: LCD Brightness, Image Quality, Exposure Compensation/AEB Setting, Image Jump and Live View Settings. Based on your current shooting scenario you can decide which one of these you want to appear when you press the Function button. For example, at Miami Seaquarium I assigned the LCD Brightness menu to it. This is because the lighting varies greatly from one place to another so I had to keep adjusting the LCD Brightness constantly to review the photos. Instead of having to go through the menu each time it was really convenient to simply press the function button and have the LCD Brightness menu appear - great time saver.
  
  
  SECTION 4: Is this the right camera for you?
  Your buying decision should be based on your requirements, budget and personal preferences.
  
  It is very tempting when comparing the 50D to the 40D to get carried away with the 5MP difference. However, you really need to consider the type of work that you will be doing and the maximum print size that you expect to do. Here is a summary of the maximum print sizes for different megapixels (resolution):
  6 megapixels 8" * 10"
  8 megapixels 11" * 14"
  10 megapixels 13" * 19"
  
  As you can see if your maximum print size is 8" * 10" then you are covered with even a 6 megapixels camera. You should really have a very good reason for needing more than the 10MP found on the Canon 40D.
  
  Here is what you should do. Check off the new/changed features that you think you will need based on where you would like your photography to start and be in a couple of years. If these new/changed features are not really important to you then go with the Canon 40D. You will save yourself some money that you can then use towards buying a good lens. For example, assume that you have $2,000 to spend on both the camera and lens and you are just interested in getting great shots of your children playing soccer and of their dance performances. In that case I would recommend that you get the Canon 40D body ($955) plus the Canon EF 24-105mm L IS lens ($1,040). It is really important to get a good lens. It is better to have a good L lens on a Canon 40D rather than a mediocre lens on the Canon 50D. On the other hand, if you know you want to do strong professional work and you definitely want a Canon then I can highly recommend the Canon 50D with its new/changed more advanced features. You will not be disappointed with this camera. So far I have found it to live up to everything that it promises. I am really blown away by the fact that Canon could really pack so many MP into that sensor and still give great high ISO performance on par with that of the Canon 40D and Nikon D300.
  
  The decision between the Canon 50D and the Nikon D300 is a little bit trickier. Last year when I purchased the Canon 40D, the body was going for $1,299. This means that Canon has only added $100 to make the price $1,399 for the Canon 50D. When the Nikon D300 launched last year, the body was going for $1,799. This difference in price plus the fact that there are still many features on the Nikon D300 that are not on the Canon 50D, tell me that Canon is still not trying to compete directly with the Nikon D300. This is reinforced by the fact that Canon has now even added a Creative Auto mode which is for beginners. In my opinion Canon is trying to provide a DSLR that can be used by both beginners and even professionals depending on the type of work that they do. This is all done at a very reasonable price. The problem that I see right now is that the price of the Nikon D300 is now at $1,550 which means that for just $150 more you can get a much more advanced camera. Two of those key features are the whopping 51-AF focus points versus the 9 on the Canon 50D as well as 100% coverage in the viewfinder versus 95%. You have to decide if the higher resolution, higher ISO performance and a better live view on the Canon 50D are more important to you. If so, then you should go with it. If not, you should go with the Nikon D300. However, be prepared to spend a lot of time learning because there are no automatic modes on that camera. Another important point to consider is the availability and prices of the lenses you will need. Canon lenses are readily available and are also cheaper than their Nikon equivalent. Shortly after I purchased my Canon 40D I simply went on Amazon and bought a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS lens. After I purchased my Nikon D300 I had to wait several months before I could get my hands on the Nikon equivalent of that lens. It is constantly back-ordered. When I finally got it I had to pay $300 more than the regular price. I own 5 Canon L lenses and I had no problem getting them - they were all ordered right here on Amazon.
  
  SECTION 4: Conclusion
  Your camera should make you feel invincible when out in the field. The Canon 50D is a robust and capable camera that produces stunning images even at very high ISOs. However, it is really up to you to decide whether this is the camera that is best for you based on your personal requirements, budget and preferences. Whether you decide to go with this camera or the Canon 40D or the Nikon D300 I can promise you that you will not be disappointed.
  
  You can check out photos from the Canon 40D and Nikon D300 on my website at tajdigistudios. As I do shoots with the Canon 50D you will see photos from it as well. Be sure to check under the Portfolio menu item. If you are new to DSLRs you might want to check out my free course at tajdslrcourse. If you are considering the Canon 40D you should also check out my review of it right here on Amazon.
  
  10/25/2008: I have uploaded three (3) photos of butterflies to the Customer Image Gallery here. The image quality is simply amazing. I really love this camera!!!!!
  
  11/2/2008: The dpreview of the Canon 50D came out a few days ago. I have added a comment to discuss my thoughts on this. If you have found this review helpful, I recommend that you take a look at my comment to consider some of the negatives from that review. I ran out of space here.
  
  11/23/2008: Softness Issue
  In my original review I mentioned that you need a good lens with this camera. I want to stress it again because I have seen reports of softness which is as a result of the high resolution showing up the flaws of the lens being used. Several reviews have made this clear but it seems that people have not paid much attention to it so I am adding the references to this important requirement for getting the best results from the Canon 50D.
  
  Dpreview actually pointed it out but not in a very clear way when the reviewer said: "At a pixel density of 4.5 MP/cm2 ... the lens becomes the limiting factor".
  
  Digital Camera Review makes it much clearer what the issue is: "If anything, the extreme resolution of the new image sensor makes the lenses a potential weak link in terms of overall image quality." They continue: "Even stopped down, many budget lenses may produce soft images that lacks punch and crisp details, making it all the more important to pay attention to the glass you're using.". And finally: "Bottom line, there's not much to criticize about the image sensor in terms of image quality, so the right glass will make the biggest difference."
  
  Camera Labs puts it like this: "Perhaps the biggest issue facing the EOS 50D though is its high resolution. Canon's use of gapless micro-lenses may have kept noise levels under control, but the high pixel density places greater demands on optics than ever before. We found the new EF-S 18-200mm IS lens, while highly flexible in terms of composition, just wasn't able to exploit the maximum resolution from the EOS 50D. If you want to make the most of the 50D's resolving power, you'll really need to couple it with decent lenses - in terms of a general purpose option, the EF 24-105mm f4.0L would be more appropriate."
  
  Finally, from imaging-resource here is one of the cons: "Soft images with the 28-135mm kit lens; demands very good optics"
  
  FOR BEST RESULTS, DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA UNLESS YOU CAN AFFORD A GOOD LENS WITH IT!
  
  I have seen some comments here by others that the Canon 50D is lacking IQ and could be Canon's Vista. They claim that this view is supported by dpreview and imaging-resource. I am a bit surprised by this since both dpreview and imaging-resource both highly recommend this camera.
  
  Here is what imaging-resource had to say: "So while the 40D is great, and will remain in the market, the Canon 50D incorporates plenty of enhancements worth the couple-hundred extra bucks. The Canon 50D is an excellent digital SLR." Here is the final verdict from imaging-resource: "Excellent low-light performance, impressive printed output, very fast shutter lag times, solid build, superb customization, and excellent image quality all add up to make the Canon EOS 50D a great choice for all types of photographers, and a sure Dave's Pick."
  
  At least both imaging-resource and cnet agrees that the Canon 50D delivers better results than the 40D at ISO 1600 and 3200. Their findings show that the higher resolution delivers extra sharpness without showing significantly more noise.
  
  [...]
  
  When people make these negative claims make sure you actually go and check the professional reviews that they are supposedly referencing.
  
  

• Not perfect but still VERY Outstanding!

  
  By ACVELAET1KMIN on 2008-10-01
  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). I can speak and write confidently of this because I own or have owned all four cameras. I have the 50D with EF 18-200mm IS Telephoto Lens, which came as an offered kit. Additionally, I own and have used the 50D with an EF 24-105mm f4L and EF 85mm f1.8. Here is my two day take:
  
  a. Controls are familiar yet more intuitive than the 40D;
  
  b. Photos are top shelf. "Incredible!," "Beautiful!," and "Wow!" are superlatives which came quickly to me and to my close friends. I tried a few photos at higher ISOs. Those photos showed a bit of `noise,' however, was much less than expected. Noise at low and mid-range ISOs was not visible to me. I took many pictures in shaded areas to see if this camera handles colors, tones, and lighting better than the disappointing manner of the 40D. Seems to be truth to the claim of improvement in that area. Not a Nikon D2, but still quite excellent. I did not do any flash photography.
  
  c. The LCD is bright, sharp, and much more viewable in sunlight than its predecessor. I think it matches well with those on the Nikons, which seems to have been one major objective with this camera.
  
  d. The camera body is solid; feeling to me even more so than the 40D.
  
  e. The 18-200mm IS lens was quite nice, and provides a great "one-lens" option. I have not compared photos taken with it to those taken with the EF 24-105mm L-series; however, I believe in L-series lenses and would guess the 18-200mm will not hold a candle to the L's. That said, it is a very excellent lens!! My only criticism is the significant differences in focusing `speed' between it and the 24-105mm L lens. It is Slooooooow...
  
  The bottom-line is that 50D is a very excellent and, potentially, a very outstanding camera. Not perfect by any means, but a great step forward. I have not to date exercised enough of it's' features and options to be more specific now, but I will follow-up with more information once I have the opportunity to use the camera more. I rated it a conservative "4 stars," which for me is a high rating.
  
  FYI, I am an advanced amateur photographer. I have much experience with Canon SLRs dating back to the A-1, and with some Nikons, including the D300. I have remained a Canon enthusiast because of the investment I have in EF lenses, and because Canon, sooner or later, always seems to come to the dance with superb equipment.
  
  
  

• Check reviews before purchasing; I prefer the 40D

  
  By A16FJGX08C58M7 on 2008-11-11
  I used the 40D for a year, purchased the 50D based on positive user reviews here and at other online merchants, but as soon as I started taking photos with the 50D I noticed it had more noise and was softer than the 40D. Within a few days, people and review sites started posting comparisons and they all showed the same. Many people are raving about the 50D's greatness, but the photos tell a different story.
  
  The 50D does have a much better LCD, does handle colors slightly better, but has more noise in photos than the 40D at ISO400 and up, as well as softer images. Taking softness and noise into consideration, you're not getting the clarity you should with 15mp, when compared to the 40D's 10mp. Even when downsizing photos to a smaller, web-sized image, more noise artifacts were visible in the 50D. Since I mostly shoot concert photography, I did not feel this was a worthwhile upgrade, so I returned the 50D and purchased another 40D.
  
  If you shoot outside or in bright light you'll have better use of the 50D, but I don't think you're getting a great use of those 15mp. The 5D is 12mp and produces sharper images than the 50D - yes, it has a larger, better sensor - but my point is to show how you're not quite getting the most out of the 15mp on the 50D. You're paying for 15mp, but how useful are they? If the 50D were 12mp, then producing sharper images with less noise than the 40D, I would have found that to be a worthy upgrade. The battery also drains faster in the 50D because of the LCD upgrade, if you use LCD much.
  
  While the 50D may be great for some, I'll wait to see what's next. I highly recommend getting the 40D instead; save money, get better lenses, upgrade later (hopefully the next xxD) and shame on Canon. Their claims of the 50D having less noise must have been based on its blotchy in-camera noise reduction quality and the more aggressive default settings of DPP's (Canon's Digital Photo Professional software) noise reduction as well.
  
  

• Great camera, but think before upgrading.

  
  By A1TSOJR6YSPL73 on 2008-10-14
  I upgraded my 30D for the 50D. One reason I chose the 50D over waiting for the 5D MkII was I could use everything I already had for my 30D. So I can continue to use my batteries, grip and remote release.
  
  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.
  
  I am concerned that for the first time today I got the err99 that many have reported and I am hoping it was a one off and not a sign of pending hardware failure in a camera less than one month old, there is plenty of posts out there on dpreview.com discussing these problems and I suggest reading them.
  
  Overall I am happy with the upgrade (assuming the err99 does not become a problem, I've never had this with a Canon DSLR before), but when it comes down to the images I have to say that I'm not seeing anything that justifies the upgrade price for any 30D owners and certainly not 40D owners. The two main reasons I upgraded are the new screen that finally enables me to check focus and the sensor cleaner (dust was always a problem on my 30D sensor).
  
  

• Images IQ on 40D are better than 50D

  
  By A2JJY2SQWCES2W on 2008-11-01
  I am surprised to see that the images on the 40D are better than the 50D. I would think logically it would be better to have the CMOS updated on the 50D, but when you compare images side by side 100% crop, the 40D wins. More Pixels doesn't mean better, and that's what the camera factories would want you to believe. The big reason I would want the 50D is for the totally improved LCD screen, which is like the D300, to see if you are getting the shot you want. If you're looking for improved image quality, stick with the 40D. That's truly a great camera!
  
  
• This is the Canon camera to get if you're not a pro
  By A2XJKRMG8FDEM on 2008-10-11
  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. Generally I use manual focus on everything, but the focus is so fast and so accurate that I have barely used manual. The LCD screen has beautiful resolution and can actually be used to get a feel for how you're pictures look, it's as clear as a computer screen. Most of the menu functions are easy to find and change on the fly, which is nice. It's a very smart camera so for those who don't like to use manual settings the creative feature is nice as you can instantly control your apeture and shutter speed as well as get a screen capture before you take a shot to see what it looks like. This camera is far superior to the 40D and any of the Rebels. The pictures are as crisp and colorful as can be with the camera right out the box and only get better as you customize and fine tune your settings. I've been shooting in RAW with "L" glass for the last week and can't get over how next to perfect this camera makes your shots. Just a great camera by Canon, especially for the price....the XSi is nice (better than the 40D I think).....but this is the Canon to get......Oh yeah did I mention that this thing is superfast and can give you large size prints that look great!!!
  
  
• Could have been better, but valiant attempt!
  By AITDAGXGMCSEZ on 2008-10-29
  Ok, I did give the camera some time for the dust to settle, and I did give it the benefit of the doubt in that I should not jump to conclusions on the quality of this product. My verdict: If you have the 30D, feel free to upgrade as for good lighting, you'll be quite happy. If you have the 40D, don't upgrade. You may regret it.
  
  Pro's:
  - AF-Microadjustment - I LOVE this feature! You can now manually calibrate your lenses to the body without shipping them all to Canon. NICE!
  - Weather sealing (not sure just how much).
  - Live View - Was great for taking pictures over a fence that I could not see over.
  - LCD resolution and bright! (NOTE: It's incredible until you put a screen protector over it. Fellowes-brand LCD screen protectors that I've been using drop the resolution because of the adhesive they use. Others may be OK.)
  - Fast and quiet shutter.
  - 15 megapixels, for better crop options.
  - Many other features beyond the 30D, but not necessarily the 40D.
  
  Con's:
  - Higher ISO noise than 40D/30D. Honestly, ISO 6400 with extreme noise reduction is usable for publishing to Web after some extreme noise reduction in Photoshop. ISO 12,800 is pointless unless it's the only way you can capture the Flying Saucer. Everyone seems to agree that the ISO levels for the 50D is all marketing and has little to do with usability. However, ISO 3200 is a little better than 30D, but not as smooth as the 40D.
  - Hot pixels in high ISO - pretty bad, actually in low light. I agree with those who state Canon would probably have been better off making this a 12.x megapixel camera on an APS-C sized sensor.
  - AF Servo slower with longer lenses; this may be an issue with mine, but the AF Servo mode seems sluggish in some cases when compared to the 30D. I normally shoot indoor sports with a Canon 70-200mm/2.8L IS lens, and it does grab better shots normally on the 30D because of the faster AF-Servo. Not sure what could be causing this--There is a little note in the manual stating that the AF-Microadjustment feature may hinder proper AF (or along that line of thought)--maybe they state this in case we don't know how to use the AF-Microadjustment correctly.
  - New RAW format (and Adobe Lightroom 1.x is useless unless you add Canon's DPP to your workflow to pre-convert everything for LightRoom.) Maybe this has to do with the new DIGIC IV processor, which I don't believe improves the pictures beyond the 30D/40D, except that it is adding more handling and noise reduction to the 15 megapix sensor.
  
  Summary - there are some cool features with this camera, and if you need that faster shutter speed for indoor sports, and the only way to get it is to get a higher ISO, this unit isn't the pits. But I find that I'm better off using ISO 3200 on the 30D and bringing up the RAW exposure in Lightroom instead. I am personally disappointed with the 50D in low light, but Canon made a valiant attempt to compete with Nikon. I just feel it's a hasty effort and not the quality product it should be. Nikon can rest easy I think---watch out for Sony, though!
  
  
  
• Totally Satisfied with the Canon 50d
  By A1XD3XUJ8XQVTB on 2008-10-14
  Earlier this year I purchased the Canon 40d, thinking that it's replacement wouldn't be in the works for a while. I was quite surprised, and somewhat dismayed, to find that Canon was releasing the 50d so soon. I wasn't sure if I wanted to spend more money to upgrade. But I was never totally satisfied with the 40d, so I took the plunge. I can only say that I'm thrilled with the performance of the 50d compared to the 40d. While I'm not prepared to go into a long detailed comparison, 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.
  
  
• Canon 50D Send it back-Big files don't mean sharp images!!
  By A1F7AKXN13YDDQ on 2008-11-10
  I love canon cameras, but they missed the mark on this one.
  My 20D could produce sharper files than this camera. I have printed sharp 16x20's from my 20D. I could not get the same quality from this camera. It has all the features I want, except at ISO 100 these files are soft. No matter which lens I use. Very disappointed and sending this camera back.
  Thanks to Amazon for a great return policy. I will probably purchase a 40D until I can save up for a 5DMKII. DP review also confirms that even though its a bigger file it's not a sharp image.
  Thanks Amazon!
  
  
  
• A big leap for some
  By A1NQYID0J3DTAE on 2008-11-04
  Moving from a 400D (XTi) to the 50D was a huge leap for me. The vast improvement in ISO performance, functions, menu, fps, etc. was invaluable. As my skills have progressed, I am looking forward to the opportunities afforded to me by the very powerful 50D. I will have to enhance my skills even more to fully use this camera. So for those moving from the Rebel line to an xxD series, this is a great move. Or if this is your first DSLR you will not be disappointed. However, if you already own an xxD (such as the very popular 40D), then this is probably not the best choice for you. As some comprehensive reviews have shown, the 50D is not a major advancement from the 40D and really only offers some new features such as improved LCD, micro-AF adjustment, and a larger sensor. However, it does not beat and sometimes looses to the 40D in terms of noise and per-pixel sharpness, although both are still hotly debated.
  The point being, if you are moving from the rebel series or this is your first camera, it is amazing, powerful, and you will not be disappointed. However, it is not, evolutionary to the xxD line, and is not a necessary trade-up for current xxD owners. This does not mean it is a bad or non-improved camera. It is amazing and incorporates many great new features. The value to you simply depends on your needs/style, and where you are coming from.
  
  
• Better Than My 40D!!!!!
  By AHVEWD30PLRW on 2008-10-13
  I purchased my 40D upgrade from my 30D last Aug for my Bday only to find out 30 days later a 50 was on the way(ouch!). I bought the 50 anyway & kept my 40 which I loved. Boy, what a jump! I love this camera! as "Jodi-Ann" so eloquently put it. The DIGIC 4 is a step up. Pix are absolutely amazingly sharp. And I don't mean sharp because of the new Hi-Res LCD, I mean SHARP-SHARP because I printed them out right away on a 8x10 and 16x20 from my Epson Stylus Pro 3800. Wow! Is my reaction as I so patiently watched the printer print them out.
  
  I received my 50 body last Friday from here through ElectronicsExpo which came in earlier than promised. I shot pix all Sat & Sun. Ear to ear smile is my first impression. I'm not gonna get into techs bcoz I don't have to, your eyes can tell you. Plus the great reviewers here already have & that's why I bought it. I used my "24-70F2.8L & 50F1.2L glasses." took variety of shots from standard setting to pumped up saturation to B&W then produced some prints runnin' Lightroom 2. My assessments were, "My 40 was great, Presto 50 is even better!"
  
  If you can swing the $$$ its worth it! If stepping up is a strain or near impossible it's ok, your 40D is still great! If this will be your first DSLR & thinking Canon but on a budget then the 40D will be a bargain now that the 50 is here (the 30D is a real bargain as well as an excellent starter). Either one is excellent, but the 50D supercedes its predecessors.
  
  PS. Thanks a million to the positive reviewers here - you guys make the Difference in the World!
  
  
  
• Disappointed?
  By A1AR9QA7N67UR5 on 2008-10-09
  I was excited to get the 50D today, but am disappointed with the "supercharged" Live View feature. It only works in Creative Zone modes, not basic modes.
  
  Update: A fellow commenter suggested trying Program Mode (P), as that gives some automatic adjustments, but no auto focus. Still disappointed.
  
  
• Good Camera, but really no better than the 40D
  By A1GOSXET42JV5A on 2008-11-19
  I purchased a 50D because I do a fair amount of bird photography, and I thought that the additional pixel count in this camera would yield better images, and also allow for more cropping room. While the images were very good, they really weren't any better than those I have taken with my 40D. I was also disappointed with the high ISO performance of the 50D, as I thought the 40D was just as good or better.
  
  Even so, the 50D is still a very good camera. If you are upgrading from a 10, 20, or 30D, you will notice substantial improvement in features and better image quality. If you have a 40D, I think it becomes tougher to justify the upgrade. In the end, I decided to return my 50D and take advantage of Amazon's excellent return policy.
  
  
• Good old Error 99 is back!!!
  By A7LBH4HFSHGJ6 on 2008-10-28
  Great camera, but keep getting Error99s. Called Canon service but got no help. Maybe they just had not figured it out yet. I recently found a link on the Canon Forum that Canon has released a 1.3 firmware update. Here's the link.
  http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/firm-e/eos50d/firmware.html
  Other than that, the camera is great!
  Cheers, Jose
  www.snapdog.com
  
  
  
• Solid Camera - not perfect, but recommended
  By A1INR3EA9LZYDP on 2008-11-14
  I am about 1,000 images into the new 50D. So far it's been a pleasure. I am switching from a Nikon D200. Nikon, to me, has superior ergonomics - the buttons and functions are so well thought out. Canon works well too but sometimes I feel like I need to be double jointed to change a setting. I do not like the wheel on top; the silver color is not great and it turns to easily. I have switched modes in the middle of shooting and not known it. But, the camera feels solid, the screen is absolutely amazing, the menus are super easy to navigate, the 6 frames per second is impressive. 15 megapixels; well, you only need it if you are printing larger than 20" or so. I've done 26" prints with a 10 megapixel, and if you know what you are doing and use a great printer it's flawless. As for low noise - well, it's low, but I'm not blown away. Remember all your lenses will be 1.6 times their focal length, so it's hard to go wide angle with this camera. But, it's easy to get super tele photo. I use it with the 24-105 L lens, which costs almost as much as the camera is worth it.
  This decisions is tricky - it's very solid, I recommend it. But if I were a first time DSLR buyer right now looking at mid-range cameras, Canon has no advantage over Nikon. The D90 is terrific and cheaper, the D300 and D700 are amazing. Why did I switch to Canon? Simply because I like their lenses better on the high end. The Nikon 80-400 is slow as a dog, although sharp. I would much rather have the Canon 100-400 L. Nikon's high end lenses seem to be a little more expensive, and frankly, there are fewer out there so they are harder to find, new or used.
  
  Good luck, happy shooting, this a great camera.
  
  
• Great camera and lens...
  By AC8OV4TBETUJS on 2008-10-19
  This will be short and sweet. Buy it!!!
  
  I had a Canon EOS Rebel XSi which I loved. It really spoiled me for anything else. Someone decided I needed a new camera and bought the 50D for my 65th birthday (I couldn't have afforded it otherwise). As I said I was spoiled by the XSi. When I opened the box and started playing with it, I thought I don't like this and that and it is too heavy (I have some minor disabilities). I took it on a shoot and within two hours, the camera became an extension of my arm, eye, and mind. I can't imagine using anything else and I quickly adjusted to what I thought were problem areas. My only gripe is the multiselection button which could be larger or made the main wheel like it is on the XSi. But, even this I'm getting used to. the EF-S 18-200mm IS lens is a great all purpose lens and I love it. I go out every day and take 50 to 200 photos. I would not want to work with anything else.
  
  
• Great Camera for the price and features!
  By AEM8C02MROH8W on 2008-11-29
  I just received my new Canon 50D. I have to say that I am in love with this camera, no, it's not perfect. I would have loved to see a full frame CMOS sensor, but I can't have everything and price too! I find the images to be crisp and clear and the operation easy to use. I have shot over 300 pictures with this camera so far and I am very happy with the quality of images, especially at the high ISOs. I also gave it to a novice photographer to use on Thanksgiving and they loved it as well and had no problem operating the camera
  
  A couple of nitpicks - First, on the new CA mode, I completely understand the need for this setting, there are many people picking up these cameras who have never used an SLR before and don't understand aperture or shutter speed. However, this feature is only as good as the lens. If someone is using a lens that doesn't have an aperture of 2.8 or 1.4 then they won't get the background to be too blurred. Second, the exposure compensation is now on the rear dial, this is more a preference and I will most likely get use to it, in time :).
  
  ETA: Another thing that would have been nice is a video setting like the 5D and the Nikon D90. But again, you can't have everything.
  
  One of the most impressive things to me was how it handles low light situations. I shot at the full range of ISOs and liked how the camera handled color, sharpness, and tone. I see many reviews saying that Nikon or other cameras hold up better in low light, that might be so, but that doesn't make the 50D horrible or bad, it makes it different. I don't suspect that people are taking low light pictures at the ISO setting 3200 or even 1600 all the time, if they are, then I might recommend a lens change, something is wrong.
  
  And just a note -- to add light on the whole sensor/processor thing- look at it from this prospective film photographers will be disappointed because this camera wouldn't be able to compare against Kodachrome 25 ISO where you don't see grain at all or to the big bold grain of the Konica 3200 ISO - Nor can it fully replicate the Kodak/Konica infrared film where exposure was a best guess. So, in other words you can't please everyone. So choosing a camera body is like choosing film in the old days, each has their own uniqueness about it, but unlike film, you can't change easily.
  
  I consider myself a photographer having been shooting for well over 25 years, and have basically shot everything from 8X10 cameras to Polaroid Land Cameras (pull apart). I have used Holgas to Hasselblads. I have had access to some type of Digital Camera since Kodak came out with the Digital Nikon F3 with a top resolution was 1.3mp. I remembered when Kodak dropped the price of their pro-digital cameras from 25,000 to 10,000 that was something!
  
  Well a big woopie do for me, so, I have been around. The reason why I am telling you all this, is not to impress you, but hopefully you will listen to some advice. I wasn't only a photographer but I sold high-end equipment. In the end you have to feel comfortable with whatever you buy, and you have to ask yourself what are the pros and cons of my purchase, can I afford it, and what do I want to do with my equipment? These are all personal reasons and one persons reasons are as valid as anyone else's reasons.
  
  One thing about Photography that I learned early on, learn the basics. Learning basic photography before you buy the big wiz bang camera may help you understand what you want to do with the big wiz bang or that you might not need the biggest or bestest wiz bang thingy.
  
  A camera is only good as its lens, and with Digital you really have to *marry* both lens and camera. The one pitfall that I see people make is that they buy too much camera and not enough lens. In other words they run before they can walk. From my experience, with a few exceptions (like the 28 - 135 mm F3.5 - 5.6--I think that this is a good lens- or the 24-105 F4 IS), the kit lens, IMHO, are made for a single reason, for cost. They won't give you a bad image, but if great images are what you want, then the lens makes all the difference in the world. In the film days I would say the body doesn't matter (to some extent), buy the lens first and then work your way up to the bigger and better camera. It will help you, cameras with less features will help you understand photography more. Does this mean everyone has to buy a Canon L lens, no, there are some good lenses, but you have to research which ones are right for you.
  
  Lens - I saw many reviews about different lens how this one is better than that one. One person couldn't tell the difference between a *lens kit* and an L lens. I would say to the person, you aren't paying attention to the detail and you are paying too much attention to the subject. The L lens system is the best quality glass in the canon system; it's designed to be better than any other lens in the system. L lens are also designed for the working professional. It's made to last and they do. Lens that are in the kit aren't made to last and aren't designed with the working professional in mind, they are designed for people who want to keep cost down.
  
  The Canon 50 1.4 and 85 1.8 are, IMHO, the best prime lens on the market. They will give you the best image quality, period.
  
  As for the reviews on dpreview and image-resource, they still highly recommend this camera. Neither said that the camera was a horrible camera, nor did they blast it, they said that compared to others that certain features were better.
  
  
  
• Amazing Quality (with the right lens)
  By A3SBLCSEM34O24 on 2008-10-24
  I love this camera. I was initially pleased but not overly enthusiastic when I tried it out with my EF-S 60mm macro lens. Then, I attached the 24-105mm L series lens and the pictures are wonderful. I have always done touchups with Photoshop and Noise Ninja; don't need those anymore, at least for these pictures, although I did some additional sharpening. I severely cropped some pictures and still had enough detail and sharpness to please anyone. The exposure (with less blown out highlights) and focusing were spot on, and focusing is FAST!! It is a much better camera than either the Canon 20D or 30D.
  
  
• VERY GOOD
  By AFIR57I2Y901O on 2008-11-04
  I have to say they have improved over the 30D I had. The sensor was what I wanted to get. After comparing photos to my D300 Nikon I would have to say at this point that the Nikon has an edge in Photo Quality. Of course this is just my opinion. That could take in several points,different lens,not as familiar with this camera as I am with my D300 yet. I have always thought that their is not that much difference in the two brands.
  This camera is a very good camera and has all the bells and whistles that I am qualified to use. Both the Canon and Nikon take very good photos. So I would say it is a personal preference to which one you like or have the accessories for.
  
  
• Great Camera
  By A2F3LHA15A2QGA on 2008-11-08
  | am an advanced amateur with a good experience with Canon equipments ( 40D,5D plus 5 L lens) and 15 years shooting mainly landscape and wildlife.
  
  After a Safari to Africa, I realized I needed two things
  - Higher ISO capacity to get better shots on the dark. Even with my 70-200 2.8 IS I missed some great shoots because ISO 3200 was not high enough
  - More resolution to crop bird pictures that my 40D with a 100-400L could not fill the whole frame
  
  So the 50D seemed like the perfect upgrade to my next photo safari to Tanzania. It have all the specs I wanted plus some cool features such as the VGA view.
  
  After three days using the camera I am glad I bought it. I can not compare this camera to the Nikon, since all my gear are Canon, but compared to the 40D and the 5D the performance of this camera is great ( it have more noise than the 5D but it is much more user friendly and 6.3 pictures per s is perfect for wildlife).
  
  Highly recommended!
  
  
• Disappointment with Canon EOS 50D
  By A1MFAPVBW9BEGD on 2008-10-19
  Image quality great with compatible lens. However, the menu screen remains cumbersome. I chose to return it because of compatiblity issues with my older 70x200mm lens ... a Canon lens!
  
  
  
• Awesome camera
  By A303XAWCP0BB8A on 2008-10-31
  I bought this camera last week.. I have two L Series lenses. 24-105 and 70-200. with these lenses image quality is perfect. Colors are vivid. I strongly recommend this camera to eveyone.
  
  
• No regrets,,, awesome camera
  By A1TKT4U3MWILF8 on 2008-11-13
  I did a lot of research before switching from Pentax to Canon. I have several friends who shoot with the 30D and love them,, but this has much more to offer. The 40D did not get great reviews from my professional friends, which meant a lot to me. I stayed away from the 40D after reading too many forums with negitive comments on DigitalWeddingchat, dppreivew, and Canonforums. I am a semi-professional and use this camera for portrait and landscape work. What I noticed first off was the quality of the photos right out of the camera. They are beautiful. With my Pentax K10D I really struggled with low light situations,, the Canon 50D camera doesn't. It is easy to learn how to use, and quite lightweight. Until I put the pro L series lens on it! The huge LCD is amazing. So crisp and clear. I find the controls well placed and easy to use.
  I do believe I paid way too much at full price, but I couldn't wait. :) I can't recommend Willoughbys enough. The camera had a dust spot in the viewfinder and I had to send it back the first day. Willoughbys sent me out a new one,, no questions asked. They also refunded me the 95.00 overnight shipping price!
  They were wonderful.
  I have no regrets switching over to Canon. The 50D is a thrill to use. High quality throughout. If this camera lasts as well as the 30D has for my pro friends,, I will be in heaven.
  You won't regret a purchase of the 50D.
  
  
• Awewsome, but
  By AZ5HB9TJB7SU8 on 2008-10-26
  Got the 50d body yesterday ... I had an awesome time with it since then, but I had 2 ERRORS .. the 99 error and the Busy error, I ended up taking the battery out each time and it seemed to work, hopfuly this wont last, if it happens again, I will take it back to replace it. But YES it is really cool!
  
  
  
• EOS 50D
  By A39VBVDR08C6JL on 2008-11-04
  Canon EOS 50D 15.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens
  
  I purchased this product as a replacement/addition for/to my 2005 Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT, which I was using in dusty and wet environments. The body is partially weather and dust sealed, which is useful in the above conditions. It is an improvement in ease of use, and ergonomics. The price point is higher, but the body definitely has less of a plastic like feel. Live view is useful for framing photos, and the additional high speed burst mode avails itself for action shots at 6fps.
  
  
  The included Digital Photo Professional (Version 3.5)is useful for raw file manipulation. One downside is the requirement for a large and fast compact flash card (can be pricey), if one is to take advantage of jpeg and raw images concomitantly with little compression.
  
  This camera is nice if one requires better results at ISOs 1,600 and 3,200. "Cnet reviews" concurs stating this is because the higher resolution delivers extra sharpness without showing significantly more noise.
  
  
• Amazing camera
  By AT4H0VYSKBTXR on 2008-11-17
  I just upgraded from a Rebel XTi. I absolutely love my XTi, but I needed a little more. To see the kind of work I shoot, go to www.flickr.com/photos/waterbubblz
  This camera is everything canon promises. Though I've read every review on here religiously, and read about the errors some have received, I have not had any issues with this. I have tried it with both my 50mm 1.8 (BUY this lens, btw) and Macro 60mm 2.8. Outstanding results.
  
  Highly recommended!
  
  
• Wonderful Camera
  By A2L3JNYJVJSUGY on 2008-10-24
  I love this camera! I have owned the 20 D for some years now, and just hard the urge to upgrade. I love to take pictures. For being an amateur I certainly take good quality pictures. See the bride pictures I took with this camera with the Canon Speedlite 580 EX II Flash. I got the flash specifically for my girlfriend's wedding. The camera is fast and I couldn't be happier. I will continue to invest in lens and continue to take pictures for as long as I live.
  
  Thank you 17th Street Photo!!!
  
  
• saving my money now
  By A2VZE4TSUGF4OZ on 2008-11-06
  (Canon 30d, Macbookpro, Aperture 2, don't mess with Photoshop, shoot mainly, local wildlife, portriture for friends, Children's sports, nothing pro or for profit)
  
  First let me say i do not own this camera yet, however I do have a little hands on experience, read further:
  
  As an owner of twin 30d's and previous 10d & 20d Canon DSLR's, I have been looking to replace one or both of my current models. As my research began, an interesting fact popped up to give me some skepticism about making the 50d my choice. One of them was that thru reading other reviews there was information offered that the new Raw file from the 50d could not be read by various softwares. As a user of Apple and Aperture this gave me great concern.
  
  Yesterday I woke up and slowly made my way passed my cup of coffee and over to my Mac. After firing it up and logging in I notice there was a software update available. When I read the details, low and behold it was a Aperture update enabling it to read the new Raw files being captured by the 50d, and other Nikon, olympus, sony and other DSLR's. I accepted the download and went and got dressed.
  
  Took a little drive up to the local garden variety Camera/photo national franchise chain to develop some prints, and asked it they had a 50d. sure enough they did. Luckily I had grabbed a CF card and stuck it in my pocket before heading out. The gentleman behind the counter offered me the camera and let me slap the Cf card in and play with it for awhile.
  
  What they say is true. The controls are a lot different. Still the same type fit and finish of the typical Canon offerings. However, within 5-10 minutes or so the controls had been mastered. I like the new controls. there are too many to go into details, but suffice it to say that I have made the decision to make the 50d my new workhorse. Of course there is still the lingering question of figuring out how and where to get the funds for the transaction. At approx. $1399 it is a good value based on the overall features and also considering what we have been paying for previous generation DSLR technology.
  
  Later, when at home i had the chance to review the RAW files on Aperture which were taken with the 50d. Crisp, clean, good color, just what we have come to expect from Canon. Something worth noting is that the file size shot in the full size RAW mode was 20MB+, so the mac and Aperture was laggin a little. The camera has three Raw sizes to choose from however. Personally i would mailnly shoot in the middle (7.1 mp mode) most of the time. Having the 15.1 mp RAW capability feature is a tremendous tool to be able to work with.
  
  Getting my hands on one made all the difference and it is my humble opinion that the 50d is a solid offering and a strong value. All things considered I will probably be purchasing one within the next 60 days or so. Maybe for Chistmas, who knows?
  
  
• You need good lenses!
  By A3OEIPLU13BEW2 on 2008-11-22
  I don't want to be repetitive with the review of the body, since many others explained how amazing the body is...
  
  To really get the best out of the extra MP's of the 50d, assuming that is one of your goals, this camera demands great lenses. The best zoom lens for this camera is clearly the 70-200mm f4 IS. Tremendous value and a perfect match for the 50d, ultra sharp, relatively small and compact considering its zoom range. At f4 (wide open) its ultra sharp...out of focus area is gorgeous...have a look, hand held with 50d at 200mm f4...
  
  http://www.pbase.com/bglick/image/105272354
  
  A shorter fl zoom and this lens makes an amazing 1-2 punch. I am not crazy about any of the lower fl zooms, as the shorter fl's are much harder to produce razor sharp optics, but the 17-55 f2.8 IS is a nice complementary lens with the 70-200...its good, but due to its shorter fl, not in the league of the 70-200 IS f4.0.
  
  
  
  
• Worth the Upgrade
  By A1Y5FSD8C1EZZO on 2008-11-26
  I own a Canon 20D and debated for a while in getting the Canon 50D. I finally made the purchase and it was well worth it. I still love my 20D but the 50D resolution and better noise control is awesome. The 50D is also more intelligent when I do not use the manual mode. The sensor clean is also a bonus.
  The battery life is very impressive and rarely need to use my two back-ups unless in the wild for some time. I managed to take over 1000 no-flash pictures for a football game with the same battery. So when the photo taking gets heavy, nothing is better when you do not have to worry about the battery all the time.
  With this camera I have reliability like no other.
  
  

• MADE Products CA-2001-BLK Seattle Sling Waterproof Bag (Black)
• Davis & Sanford VOYAGER3H Voyager Tripod with 3 Way Pan and Tilt Head
• Adobe Photoshop Elements 7
• Adobe Photoshop Elements & Premiere Elements 7
• Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 Ultimate

• Canon BP511A 1390mAh Lithium Ion Battery Pack for Select Digital Cameras and Camcorders
• SanDisk 8 GB Extreme III CF Card SDCFX3-008G-A31 (Retail Package)
• Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash for Canon EOS Digital SLR Cameras
• Canon BG-E2N Battery Grip for Canon 20D, 30D, 40D & 50D Digital SLR Cameras
• Tiffen 72mm UV Protection Filter