Canon EOS 500D Review | 108 Data compared

The DPReview Canon EOS 500D review characterizes the DSLR as a responsive entry-level camera, highlighting its 15.1-megapixel sensor for excellent detail, a high-resolution 3.0-inch LCD, and pioneering 720p HD video functionality. While offering extensive ISO sensitivity up to 12800, the camera is noted for its "plasticy" construction, a small grip, and higher noise levels at maximum ISO compared to its predecessor. Specific limitations include a jerky 20fps 1080p video mode and the lack of an external microphone input.

The Canon EOS 500D is a highly capable 15-megapixel digital SLR that serves as an excellent entry point for novice photographers or those upgrading from older models like the 400D or 450D. The camera stands out for its responsive performance, featuring a rapid 0.1-second start-up time and a shooting speed of 3.4 frames per second. It is equipped with a stunning, high-resolution 3-inch LCD screen boasting 920,000 dots, making it a joy to use for framing, reviewing great-quality photos, and operating the built-in Live View mode. Additionally, it introduces full 1080p high-definition video capabilities to the lineup and features a highly efficient Digic 4 processor that provides solid noise reduction for clean shots up to ISO 1600. Despite these strong features, the camera has notable limitations regarding its video performance and physical ergonomics. The high-definition video quality is not particularly impressive, showing grainy details and lost shadows in low-light environments, while recording at only 20 frames per second limits its smoothness. Audio recording is also a weak spot because the built-in mono microphone picks up loud, disruptive lens autofocus noises...

The Canon EOS 500D earns a Gold Award from What Digital Camera for being a refined entry-level DSLR featuring a detailed 15.1-megapixel sensor, a high-resolution 3-inch LCD, and swift 9-point autofocus. Performance is further boosted by the DIGIC 4 engine, which ensures fast file writing and efficient raw image processing. However, the review highlights significant limitations, specifically a choppy 20fps 1080p video mode, missing external microphone input, and noisy autofocus that ruins audio recording. Other drawbacks include restricted raw continuous shooting, inconsistent metering in bright scenes, and an autofocus layout that lags behind competitors.

The-Digital-Picture.com review of the Canon EOS Rebel T1i / 500D highlights a compact, low-priced entry-level DSLR offering exceptional image quality via a 15.1-megapixel sensor, DIGIC 4 processor, and superior low-noise performance. Key pros include a high-resolution LCD, reliable 9-point autofocus, and Full HD capability, positioning it competitively against higher-tier models. Conversely, the review notes compromises such as reduced Diffraction Limited Aperture (DLA) due to specific sensor architecture and a moderate 3.4 fps shooting speed. Additionally, while 1080p video is included, the 20 fps limit creates choppy footage, with 720p recommended for smoother results. YouTube ·

The Trusted Reviews analysis describes the Canon EOS 500D as a user-friendly, high-performance, entry-level DSLR offering professional features like a 15.1-megapixel sensor and a sharp 3.0-inch VGA monitor. Pros include an effective dust reduction system, responsive handling, and high-definition video capabilities. However, the review highlights significant drawbacks in video functionality, specifically noting that 1080p recording is limited to a choppy 20fps and that the autofocus produces loud noise, worsened by the lack of an external microphone input. Additionally, performance issues are noted in RAW shooting depth and overall dynamic range.

The ⁠OpticalLimits (formerly PhotoZone) review highlights the Canon EOS 500D (Rebel T1i) as a lightweight and compact consumer DSLR packed with powerful core features. Powered by a 15.1-megapixel CMOS sensor and the DIGIC 4 processor, the camera delivers great image resolution and sharp image quality, capturing up to 3.4 frames per second. Users benefit from highly effective handling thanks to an adequate layout of physical buttons, an integrated sensor cleaning system to prevent dust buildup, and a large, remarkably bright 3-inch LCD screen boasting 920,000 dots. The inclusion of standard High Definition (720p) video recording further adds to its versatility as a recommendable camera for mainstream hobbyists. However, the review details several prominent drawbacks, particularly regarding its highly anticipated but flawed Full HD (1080p) movie mode, which only records at a choppy 20 frames per second. This frame rate is insufficient for fluid motion, and video shooting is further hindered by manual zooming constraints and stepped aperture control. Additionally, despite marketing an expanded ISO sensitivity up to 12,800, sensor noise becomes visually disruptive starting at just ISO 1600. The camera's...

The Canon EOS 500D is a highly capable and portable DSLR featuring a 15-megapixel sensor that produces exceptional image quality, along with high-quality video recording capabilities. Despite these strengths, the camera suffers from noticeable noise even at low ISO settings, significant image degradation at 12,800 ISO, and "CMOS wobble" during fast panning.

Ken Rockwell calls the Canon Digital Rebel T1i a top-performing, lightweight DSLR with exceptional ergonomics, featuring a sharp 3-inch screen and a user-friendly design that allows for one-handed operation. While praising the intuitive "SET" button interface, he highlights the robust, albeit plastic, construction, noting its excellent durability despite the budget-friendly material. Ken Rockwell The main drawbacks stem from its lightweight plastic construction, which lacks the premium feel of metal bodies, and a design that forces heavy reliance on the rear screen for settings rather than dedicated physical buttons. Overall, the review emphasizes that the T1i offers professional-level image quality in a highly accessible package, making its minor structural limitations insignificant.

In this camera review hosted on Digital Photography School, author Barrie Smith evaluates the Canon EOS T1i (also known as the Canon EOS 500D) as a mid-tier option positioned to fulfill the needs of passionate amateur photographers and cost-conscious semi-professionals. Tested alongside the 18-55mm and 55-250mm stabilized kit lenses, the camera setup features a 22.3×14.9mm CMOS sensor. Because of the camera's 1.6x crop factor multiplier, these two lenses combine to offer a highly versatile effective SLR focal range of 29mm to 400mm, making the kit package an nearly ideal, well-rounded bundle for general photography. The review highlights distinct pros and cons regarding the camera's system and lens ecosystem. A major pro is the overall versatility of the bundled stabilized kit lenses, which deliver an expansive zoom range capable of handling most day-to-day shooting scenarios without requiring frequent lens swaps. On the flip side, a notable con identified by the reviewer is that the 29mm effective focal length at the wide end can feel too restrictive for expansive landscape or architectural work. To overcome this limitation, users would need to purchase...

Canon Rebel T1i Review Summary However, the reviewer highlights several prominent drawbacks, particularly regarding the camera's ergonomics, menu system, and video performance. The kit lens features an annoyingly thin, poorly located manual focusing ring at the very front of the barrel, making it easy to accidentally smudge the front element, while its rotating front element renders circular polarizers impractical. System navigation is hindered by complex menus, excessive confirmation steps (such as pressing the Set button), and cursor buttons that can work at cross-purposes with the control dial. Performance limitations include slow Live View autofocus, unreliable continuous AF tracking due to having only 9 AF points, and a restricted internal memory buffer that stalls after just 4 consecutive RAW+JPEG bursts. Finally, the HD video mode is disappointing due to a lack of advanced camcorder functionality and an internal microphone that easily picks up loud ambient camera-handling noise.

The Canon EOS 500D (released in 2009 for $800) is a compact, 15.10-megapixel APS-C DSLR praised for its impressive still-image capabilities and introduction of video functionality. In terms of pros, the camera delivers extraordinary, precise detail when paired with good lenses, clearly outperforming older models like the 350D. Its high ISO performance is surprisingly strong for an APS-C sensor with small photosites; images up to ISO 1600 retain good usability with minor noise reduction, even slightly besting the more expensive Canon 50D. Furthermore, using customized, low-contrast Picture Styles allows users to maximize dynamic range and bypass aggressive in-camera sharpening, creating a flatter profile that acts as a "video RAW" for better post-processing control. However, the camera has notable cons, particularly regarding its low-light performance and video implementation. The 500D appears to read only a fraction of its pixel rows rather than resizing the full sensor on the fly, which severely limits video crispness, introduces prominent aliasing ("jaggies") artifacts, and causes low-light footage to look muddy and noisy. Compensating for this poor low-light video performance requires expensive, bright lenses (such as...

The Canon EOS Rebel T1i (also known as the EOS 500D) is an entry-level digital SLR camera featuring a 15-megapixel CMOS sensor, a DIGIC 4 image processor, and a highly detailed 3-inch LCD screen with 920,000 pixels. It delivers exceptional image quality with clean, low-noise results up to ISO 3200. Performance is a major strength, highlighted by a rapid 1-second startup time, fast shot-to-shot speeds, and a continuous shooting rate of 3.4 frames per second. The camera introduces HD video capabilities—recording at 720p at 30 FPS and 1080p resolution—while allowing users to capture full-resolution still photos during recording. Additionally, it features an effective custom menu system, good battery life of up to 500 shots per charge, and compatibility with a wide selection of EF/EF-S lenses and accessories. Despite these strong features, the camera has notable limitations in ergonomics, live view, and video performance. The physical right-hand grip is narrow and cramped, making it difficult to balance when attached to larger, heavier lenses. The 15-megapixel sensor is highly demanding, mercilessly exposing softness and flaws in lower-grade lenses unless the aperture is...

The Canon EOS Rebel T1i (EOS 500D) is a 15.1-megapixel consumer digital SLR featuring a DIGIC 4 image processor, an impressive 3-inch, 920,000-dot high-resolution LCD screen, and an expanded ISO range stretching from 100 up to 12,800. It is highly praised for delivering outstanding still image quality and superb detail that easily rivals the more expensive Canon 50D, packaged alongside an optically excellent, image-stabilized 18-55mm kit lens. Standout professional features include the addition of an HD movie mode (capturing 720p at 30fps and 1080p at 20fps), effective dust reduction technology, Peripheral Illumination Correction to fix lens vignetting, and highly capable low-light performance with clean prints even at ISO 3,200. However, the camera has notable limitations, particularly for enthusiast videographers and aggressive burst shooters. The video functionality suffers from a lack of continuous autofocus and manual exposure controls, alongside the omission of an external microphone jack or a wind filter. When shooting still images, users will quickly hit a restrictive buffer limitation that slows down operation when capturing RAW data, and high ISO noise suppression can struggle with low-contrast details, particularly...

The Cameralabs review highlights the Canon EOS 500D (Rebel T1i) as a compelling mid-entry DSLR that borrows key features from higher-end models like the 50D. A major standout feature is its 15.1 Megapixel APS-C sensor and the inclusion of HD video recording, offering users a choice between 1080p and 720p modes. The camera's physical usability is substantially enhanced by a spectacular 3-inch, 920k-dot VGA screen that delivers exceptional clarity for Live View composition and image playback. Additionally, an integrated HDMI port provides a convenient way to output high-definition slideshows directly to modern televisions. However, the review notes several design compromises and performance limitations to keep in mind. On the downside, the heavily marketed 1080p video mode is limited to an un-smooth 20fps, forcing most users to step down to 720p at 30fps for standard video needs. In terms of performance, the camera suffers from a slower continuous shooting speed (3.4fps) compared to its older predecessor, and it completely lacks advanced physical hardware upgrades such as the 50D's gapless micro-lenses or a fluorine anti-dust sensor coating. Finally, the real-world resolution benefits...