Canon EOS 50D Review | 108 Data compared

The Canon EOS 50D is a robust 15.1-megapixel APS-C DSLR featuring a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, 6.3 fps continuous shooting, and a high-resolution 3.0-inch LCD. Key strengths include improved AF Micro-Adjustment, rapid 9-point cross-type autofocus, and a responsive DIGIC 4 processor. Conversely, high-resolution packing on the sensor results in poorer high ISO noise performance and reduced dynamic range compared to the EOS 40D. Additionally, the camera requires high-end lenses to utilize the sensor fully and exhibits weak automatic white balance under artificial lighting. For the full, detailed review, visit DPReview.

The Canon EOS 50D is a semi-pro digital SLR featuring a significant resolution upgrade to a 15.1-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor paired with the faster DIGIC 4 image processor, allowing it to maintain a high continuous burst rate of 6.3 frames per second with 14-bit RAW data processing. A major standout feature is its vastly improved 3.0-inch LCD screen boasting a 920,000-dot resolution and anti-glare coatings, which greatly enhances image composition and focus checking in Live View mode. The camera introduces helpful software additions like in-camera Lens Peripheral Illumination (vignetting) Correction, an adjustable Auto Lighting Optimizer, a lens AF micro-adjustment tool to fix front- or back-focusing issues, and a new "Creative Auto" mode to help beginners control background blur. Additionally, it maintains backward compatibility with older EOS 40D accessories, utilizes robust magnesium alloy weather-sealed construction, and delivers incredibly fast autofocus acquisition and low single-point shutter lag times. However, the review highlights several distinct drawbacks, most notably its performance at extended high ISO settings. While standard sensitivities from ISO 100 to 3,200 deliver highly usable, clean results, expanding to H1 (ISO 6,400)...

The-Digital-Picture's review of the Canon EOS 50D highlights a highly responsive mid-range DSLR featuring a 15.1-megapixel APS-C sensor, a robust magnesium alloy chassis, and a fast 6.3 fps continuous shooting rate. Key pros include the high-resolution 3.0-inch LCD screen, AF Microadjustment functionality, and the introduction of sRAW1/sRAW2 file formats for improved workflow. Conversely, the review notes cons regarding high-ISO noise, where image quality degrades at 6400 and 12800, alongside potential softness at the pixel level due to high pixel density. Additionally, the Live View contrast-detection autofocus is characterized as notably slower than traditional phase-detection methods.

The CNET review scores the Canon EOS 50D a 7.8 out of 10, highlighting it as a very good midrange DSLR that offers a compelling, though not quite "must-have," upgrade path for existing Canon users. Powered by a Digic 4 processor, the camera is roughly 30% faster than the previous 40D model, boasting an impressive 0.2-second startup time, 0.4-second autofocus lag in typical conditions, and a 6 frames-per-second continuous shooting burst rate. On the pros side, the review praises the camera's excellent dynamic range, superb image quality up to ISO 3,200, and its solid, weather-sealed physical grip. Key feature upgrades include a crisp 3-inch LCD, a sensor bump to 15 megapixels, support for fast UDMA CF cards, face detection in Live View, and flexible compressed RAW options (7MP and 3.8MP). Conversely, the review notes several distinct cons, emphasizing that the 50D's overall feature set remains relatively basic for its competitive class. It completely lacks a movie or video capture mode, a standard inclusion on many other cameras of its tier. The 50D also recycles an older 9-point autofocus system that...

The Canon EOS 50D, reviewed by Trusted Reviews, is a durable, semi-pro DSLR featuring a solid, rugged construction and fast, high-performance operational speeds. The camera excels with its high-ISO noise control, producing great image quality suitable for demanding environments. However, the review finds the 50D lacks a significant performance advantage over cheaper competitors and offers minimal improvements over the previous EOS 40D, providing little incentive for an upgrade. Combined with a high launch price, the camera faces tough competition in delivering strong value. Trusted Reviews

The Digital Photography School review covers the Canon EOS 50D, a digital SLR camera released in 2008 as a quick follow-up to the popular 40D model. The reviewer, an experienced photographer who uses an older Canon 30D, tests the camera to see if it is a worthy upgrade for enthusiasts. The 50D brings major physical updates, including a tough magnesium alloy body with improved weather sealing and a beautiful 3-inch high-resolution VGA screen that makes checking images much easier. It also introduces a faster DIGIC 4 processor and a 15.1-megapixel APS-C sensor to capture larger image files. When looking at the pros and cons, the camera shines with its snappy performance, robust construction, and accurate 9-point autofocus system. Users love the inclusion of a dedicated Live View button and an HDMI port for easy image sharing. However, the 50D suffers from several notable cons, especially regarding its high-resolution sensor. The increased pixel density causes worse noise performance at higher ISO settings and a tighter dynamic range in shadow areas compared to the older 40D. Reviewers also note poor automatic white...

The Canon 50D is a surprising option for raw video filmmaking when using Magic Lantern custom firmware, acting as a budget-friendly alternative to the expensive 5D Mark III. Released in 2008 without any official video modes, the camera has great physical controls and a strong metal body equal to the higher-end 5D Mark II. Its fast Compact Flash card slot handles the high data speeds needed to shoot beautiful, crisp 14-bit uncompressed raw video. It has great dynamic range, works well in low light, and includes a useful crop mode that delivers clean, highly detailed video. It also works perfectly for quiet timelapse recording without wearing out the mechanical camera shutter. However, this old camera comes with notable downsides. The screen does not tilt and is very hard to see in bright sunlight. When shooting in full sensor mode, the resolution is limited to an odd 3:2 shape, which forces filmmakers to use expensive anamorphic lenses to properly stretch the image into standard widescreen format. Full sensor mode also suffers from visual flaws like wavy lines and rainbow patterns on...

The Canon EOS 50D is a durable and heavy digital SLR camera that delivers impressive image quality, particularly when paired with a high-quality prime lens like the 50mm f/1.4. Its standout features include a massive, vivid rear view-screen with a glare-reducing purplish tint, a backlit monochrome top LCD for rapid setting adjustments, and clean high-ISO performance that minimizes sensor noise in low-light conditions. The reviewer notes that while the camera's full auto mode accurately calculates white balance and lighting without flash, utilizing its advanced capabilities requires a steep learning curve and deliberate physical techniques, such as supporting the heavy body with the left hand to avoid wrist strain. Despite its strong photographic output, the camera is heavily criticized for its poor, inefficient user interface and frustrating Live View execution. A major con is the excessive button-pressing required for basic tasks; for example, users cannot zoom in to check focus immediately after shooting without explicitly pressing the "Review" button first. Additionally, the Live View mode lacks a standard half-press shutter auto-focus, relying instead on a clunky, dedicated AF-ON button and slow...

The Canon EOS 50D, originally launched in 2008, remains a highly capable, stills-only DSLR for budget-conscious photographers and students due to its exceptional, heavy-duty physical build quality and ergonomics. It features a 15.1MP APS-C sensor that delivers usable online imagery and mid-to-large prints, though extracting fine detail requires shooting in RAW and processing with software like Capture One. The camera is highly praised for its classic, highly intuitive physical control layout, featuring a large thumb-operated rear control dial, a dedicated focus joystick, a top LCD status panel, and a unique A-DEP depth-of-field mode. However, its age shows in its limited ISO range (100–3200 native), a basic 9-point autofocus system, a crude live view mode that lacks focus control, and the reliance on legacy CF memory cards. Pros and Cons Breakdown

The Canon EOS 50D, a high-end APS-C DSLR from its era, is praised for a robust magnesium alloy build, a 920,000-dot VGA screen, and a 14-bit RAW workflow powered by a 15 MP sensor and DIGIC 4 processor. Key advantages highlighted include extensive menu customization and a reliable 9-point autofocus system. However, the review notes significant drawbacks, primarily the total lack of video recording functionality and poor high ISO noise performance despite a 100-3200 native range. Other limitations include a reliance on older Compact Flash (CF) cards rather than modern SD, and a 9-point AF system that is outmatched by later models.

Ken Rockwell characterizes the Canon 50D as a serious amateur camera, offering excellent color rendition and robust performance suited for sports photography, largely driven by a 6.3 fps frame rate and a 3.0-inch 920,000-dot LCD screen. Key advantages highlighted include the capability to achieve superior in-camera color saturation, effective high-speed autofocus, and a notable upgrade in screen resolution for image verification. Conversely, the review notes the 15.1-megapixel sensor requires high-quality glass to prevent soft images and mentions that the 1.6x crop factor makes it less suitable for landscapes compared to full-frame alternatives. Rockwell also suggests that many of the camera's features primarily catch up to competitors, rather than introducing ground-breaking technology.

The Canon EOS 50D is a semi-pro DSLR camera that introduces a 15.1-megapixel CMOS sensor alongside a high-performance DIGIC 4 image processor, allowing for fast burst shooting at 6.3 frames per second. It delivers solid image quality with impressive, film-like grain noise control up to ISO 1600, punchy colors, and excellent dynamic range. Key hardware upgrades include a crisp, 3-inch 920,000-pixel LCD screen with an effective anti-reflective coating and live view mode functionalities. It stands as a highly capable and pleasant-to-handle camera, making it an ideal upgrade choice for existing Canon 20D or 30D users. However, the extensive range of functions and electronic features can be overwhelming for users and serves as a major battery drain, making a backup battery essential for day-long shoots. The upgraded LCD monitor is also highly susceptible to smudges and grubby fingerprints, which can drastically reduce overall visibility. Additionally, unsharpened RAW files lack definition in fine details, and the maximum extended ISO settings of 6400 and 12800 suffer from excessive noise. Ultimately, while it boasts a strong and impressive feature set, it is unlikely to...

Canon EOS 50D Review Summary The Canon EOS 50D is a highly responsive DSLR featuring a 15.1 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor paired with the powerful DIGIC 4 processor, which delivers a speedy continuous shooting rate of up to 6.3 frames per second (fps). Its 9-point autofocus system uses all cross-type points, keeping moving subjects firmly locked into focus, while the newly introduced AF Micro-adjustment allows users to fine-tune specific lenses. Key software upgrades include Highlight Tone Priority to preserve bright highlights, an adjustable Auto Lighting Optimizer, and built-in Peripheral Illumination Correction to counteract lens vignetting on JPEGs. Furthermore, the camera includes robust anti-dust measures and an impressive bundled EOS Utility software that permits extensive remote control and live view functionality from a computer. On the downside, early users reported occasional "Error-99" communication glitches between the camera body and certain well-used lenses, though Canon issued a firmware update (v1.0.3) to resolve this issue. In terms of hardware limitations, the camera lacks an internal intervalometer, and its USB port cannot supply power, requiring an AC adapter for long-term automated shooting. Additionally, exposure...

Photo Review Australia highlights the Canon EOS 50D as a robust, mid-tier DSLR featuring a 15.1-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and a DIGIC 4 processor, bridging the gap between the 40D and 5D Mark II. Key pros include 14-bit image processing, a 6.3 fps continuous shooting speed, and improved ISO performance up to 3200 due to gapless microlenses. Photo Review However, the high-density sensor can produce softer images, requiring high-quality lenses to perform optimally. Additional cons include limited dynamic range compared to older models, struggles with auto white balance, and the lack of a video mode, leading to a verdict that it may not justify an upgrade for 40D owners.