Canon EOS 50D

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Almost exactly a year after Canon's genre-busting 40D was unleashed on the world, the 50D has entered the fray. It's a step up--not a replacement--to the much admired work-horse. But the 50D is certainly no show pony given that, at least from the outside, it looks almost identical to the 40D.

The test unitl we received included the new EF-S 18-200mm F3.5-5.6 IS lens, sold as the EOS 50D premium kit. It's an ideal model for the midrange to advanced dSLR user but it's also a very forgiving camera to better your craft on. However, when push comes to shove, is it good enough to fend off competitors like the Nikon D90?

Editors' note:

This review is based on tests done by our sister site CNET.com.au. As such, please note that there may be slight differences in the testing procedure and ratings system. For more information on the actual tests conducted on the product, please inquire directly at the site where the article was originally published. References made to some other products in this review may not be available or applicable in Asia.

Design

If you're familiar with the layout and design of the 40D, as well as the rest of Canon's EOS family, the 50D will come as no surprise. Put the two models side by side and the superficial differences are hardly noticeable--the label badge on the front and the new chrome-coated dial on the top will be your only real giveaways.

The EOS 50D has aesthetics similar to that of the EOS 40D.
(click for larger image)

Even though it may not look it, the 50D's entire body has been redesigned around the new 15.1-megapixel CMOS (APS-C sized) sensor and the DIGIC 4 processor. It's also marginally lighter. Like an annoying younger sibling that insists on mimicking everything that its older brother does, it's still a hefty unit, weighing in at 730g without lens or battery. As a result the unit feels sturdy, and with the kit lens it bumps up the weight even more.

The camera fits comfortably in your hand, thanks to the streamlined grip on the right-hand side. Plus all buttons and switches are within easy reach. It's good to see that the Direct Print button which was once the bane of the 40D's existence, now has a more useful second function--doubling as the toggle for Canon's Live View function.

Menu interfaces and visuals have also been overhauled and look generally better than those in the 40D, thanks to the new LCD screen. There's now also a mini-HDMI output on the right side of the camera, as well as a standard USB connector, covered with two tough plastic flaps.

Tags: Camera, processor, LCD, CMOS, LCD screen

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