Most of the cameras on this website are generously donated by the manufacturers so that they can be used and reviewed, they are then sent back within a couple of weeks.
This isn’t the case with the Canon 50D as this is one of my own personal Cameras which I use day in and day out and I have done so for over a year.
Keep on reading for my honest review of the Canon 50D.
Canon 50D Technical Details
- 15.1-megapixel CMOS sensor with improved noise reduction
- Enhanced Live View shooting includes Face Detection Live mode
- High-sensitivity, high-resolution, large single-plate CMOS sensor
- Dust deletion feature: Yes
- Image type: JPEG, RAW (14-bit Canon original), sRAW, RAW+JPEG
- File numbering: Consecutive, auto reset, manual reset
The large single plate CMOS sensor on the Canon 50D allows you to capture 15.1 megapixel images at a time, this means that the camera is able to capture images up to 4752 x 3168 pixels which is perfect for a wide range of print sizes. These prints can range from a small snap shot to a large Canvas print.
Golden Gate Captured with the Canon 50D
Who uses a Canon 50D?
If you’re looking to up your photography game then a Canon 50D maybe the camera for you. The camera is a big step up from the consumer entry models such as the Rebel, Rebel XS and XSI. The 50D is geared towards the “Prosumer market” which is not quite the serious professional who’s booking shoots everyday but not an amateur either.
When I initially upgraded to the 50D I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to navigate around the camera and how quick selecting camera settings was. With a quick scroll I could change the aperture and the shutter speeds in an instant, this really does show that this camera is perfect for photographers who can’t afford to be fiddling with their equipment just in case they miss a shot. With the 50D you should never miss a shot again.
The jog wheel and the little thumb stick (not sure correct name) on the back and top of the camera allow you to change settings, select autofocus points and easily get the correct exposure each and every time in an instant.
I love the jog wheel and thumb stick as it makes my job as a music photographer much easier because I can anticipate where I need to focus to get the perfect shot and the camera will focus instantly. The jog wheel and thumb stick can be seen below, there is also a scroll wheel on top of the camera.
The View From the Back - Canon 50D
Widescreen TV
Although the LCD screen on the back of the Canon 50D isn’t quite a wide screen it’s pretty darn big and it’s also crystal clear. The 3 inch LCD on the canon 50D is much brighter and clearer than its previous camera model the Canon 40D.
The 3 inch LCD makes reviewing your images very easy so that we can delete the non keepers and jump back into taking more images. The big LCD screen also makes using the Live View mode very easy, however most photographers looking to purchase the 50D won’t ever use the live view function as most of us know this feature is just a marketing ploy to get point and shoot camera users into the DSLR market.
Live View on the 50D
Canon 50D Live View function
I just touched on the live view function of this camera above so I won’t go too much into detail.
You can zoom up to 10 times onto your subject when using live view and the 50D also has facial detection software built into it.
If you’re looking to really learn how to use a DSLR camera then please learn how to use it correctly, turn off your live view and learn how manual and auto focus works.
This will be more rewarding for you in the future and will improve your photography skills greatly.
Did someone call House Keeping?
Ok so I must admit that was a bad joke, but you will be pleased to know that the Canon 50D has a self cleaning program on it that automatically allows the camera to clean the sensor every time that the camera turns its self off. The main advantage of this is that the sensor is obviously kept clean and that it allows your images to be dust free.
If you’re not sure what dust is on your images then you may have not experienced it, however it does happen from time to time and if you have a dirty censor then you will start to see small blotches on your images (like dust marks). The inbuilt programming of the Canon 50D will get rid of these dirty bits of data(dust) so that your images are clean every single time.
Dust removal on the 50D
How many Autofocus points?
The Canon 50D has 9 autofocus points which are situated in a diamond formation. These autofocus points can be selected instantly with the little thumb wheel on the back of the camera and in my opinion these autofocus points make your job as a photographer much easier.
Coming from a DSLR entry level background has meant that the cameras that I have used often only have 5 autofocus points, I can honestly say that the added extra 4 autofocus points that you get with the 50D have helped me capture some images that wouldn’t have been possible in the past.
The 9 autofocus points on this camera are incredibly fast even under low lighting conditions in which I often use this camera.
10 Billion Pixels
Ok maybe not, however the 15.1Mega Pixels are a massive step up from the previous 10.1 on the Canon 40D. Not only does the megapixel count allow me to capture greater detail in my images but it also allows me to capture better images in general.
Most of my photographs are taken at concerts, gigs and events so my work needs to be fast. Having a 15.1 megapixel camera allows me to get in and take images quickly, I can then crop the images to give a perfect composition while still keeping the details in the image. This is all made possible due to the massive 15.1 megapixels.
Great Detail Captured on the 50D
The Good
The canon 50D has some excellent features, ones worth mentioning are:
- Excellent Image Quality
- Super Quick Shooting at 6.3fps!
- CF Cards (Quicker than the standard SDHC Memory Card)
- Super Quick Auto Focus Speeds
- Very Easy to use
- Excellent interface which makes navigation simple
- Massive LCD screen which is very vibrant and bright
- Good Noise reduction up to ISO 3200
- Amazing Build quality
- Weather proof!
- 15.1 megapixels
The Bad
Like every camera the Canon 50D has some bad points that could be improved upon, these include:
- High megapixel amount means that images take up more space on hard drive
- ISO 12000 is very grainy and not usable in my opinion
- Quite expensive, however because of the introduction of the 60D the prices have dropped on this camera making it more affordable.
- Heavier than entry level DSLR’s due to its strong magnesium alloy body which is weather sealed to protect against the elements.
The Conclusion
Overall the Canon 50D is an excellent DSLR camera which has been excellently produced to ensure the only thing that holds the photographer back is their ability. Due to a price drop the camera is now more affordable than it has ever been. The image quality produced is excellent, images are sharp, vibrant and life like.
If you’re looking to step up your photography then the 50D is a must have camera and I recommend it instead of its much more expensive brother the Canon 60D which has built in video recording, but honestly if you want that feature just by a video camera.
I have used my 50D in a variety of different situations such as concerts, gigs, fashion events, portrait shoots and I’ve even shot a wedding. This shows how versatile this camera is and I would even say that this camera would be perfect for those who are interested in sports photography. The 6.3fps are amazing, they’re not quite the 8fps of the Canon 7D but then the 50D is half the price of this camera.
The 50D is my workhorse and I really do recommend it to other photographers as I know you will love it to.
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Comments
love my 50d, i dont get why the 50 is said to have noise at hi iso, at 3200 mines excellent.
Thanks JPAXY for the comment, yes i agree the 50D takes a lot of stick for having high noise at 3200 however i believe this not to be the case.
I come across some mixed reviews for this camera but wanting to upgrade from my Rebel XT and wanted out of the rebel line. This was essentially the next step up. I read someone else’s review who said they felt like this was a real camera and not a toy and that’s the way I feel about it too.
I love this camera. I moved up from a point and shoot, and am so happy that I didn’t settle for the Rebel series. I didn’t need the video capability of the T2i or 7d, and the awesome price drop made this camera definitely worth getting.
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)
great camera, good review i agree with it!
The camera body is solid i love it