Body material	Magnesium alloy
Sensor *	• 22.3 x 14.9 mm CMOS sensor • RGB Color Filter Array • Built-in fixed low-pass filter (with self-cleaning unit) • 15.5 million total pixels • 15.1 million effective pixels • 3:2 aspect ratio
Image processor *	DIGIC 4
A/D conversion	14 bit
Image sizes *	• 4752 x 3168 • 3456 x 2304 • 2353 x 1568
File formats *	• RAW (.CR2; 14-bit) • JPEG (EXIF 2.21) - Fine / Normal • RAW + JPEG (separate files) • sRAW1 (7.1 MP) • sRAW2 (3.8 MP)*
Lenses	• Canon EF / EF-S lens mount • 1.6x field of view crop
Dust reduction	• "EOS Integrated Cleaning System" • Self-cleaning sensor unit (filter in front of sensor vibrates at high frequency at start-up and shutdown - can be disabled) • Dust Delete Data - Data from a test shot is used to 'map' dust spots and can be later removed using Canon DPP Software
Auto focus	• 9-point TTL CMOS sensor • All points cross-type for lenses of F5.6 or faster • Center point additionally sensitive with lenses of F2.8 or faster • AF working range: -0.5 - 18 EV (at 23°C, ISO 100)
Focus modes	• One shot AF • AI Servo AF • AI Focus AF • Manual focus
AF point selection	• Auto • Manual
Predictive AF	• Up to 8 m
AF assist	• Stroboscopic flash
AF microadjust	• +/- 20 steps • Adjust all lenses by same amount/individually adjust up to 20 lenses
Metering	• TTL 35 zone SPC • Metering range: EV 0.0 - 20 EV
Metering modes	• Evaluative 35 zone • Partial (9% at center) • Spot metering (approx. 3.8% at center) • Center-weighted average
AE lock	• Auto: One Shot AF with evaluative metering • Manual: AE lock button
Exposure compensation	• +/-2.0 EV • 0.3 or 0.5 EV increments
Exposure bracketing	• +/- 2.0 EV • 0.3 or 0.5 EV increments
Sensitivity *	• Auto ISO (100-1600) • ISO 100 - 3200* • 0.3 or 1.0 EV increments • H1 (6400) and H2 (12800) expansion*
Shutter	• Focal-plane shutter • 100,000 exposure durability • 30 - 1/8000 sec • 0.3 or 0.5 EV increments • Flash X-Sync: 1/250 sec • Bulb
Aperture values	• F1.0 - F91 • 0.3 or 0.5 EV increments • Actual aperture range depends on lens used
White balance	• Auto • Daylight • Shade • Cloudy • Tungsten • Fluorescent • Flash • Custom • Kelvin (2500 - 10000 K in 100 K steps)
WB bracketing	• +/-3 levels • 3 images • Blue / Amber or Magenta / Green bias
WB shift	• Blue (-9) To Amber (+9) • Magenta (-9) to Green (+9)
Picture style	• Standard • Portrait • Landscape • Neutral • Faithful • Monochrome • User def. 1 • User def. 2 • User def. 3
Custom image parameters	• Sharpness: 0 to 7 • Contrast: -4 to +4 • Saturation: -4 to +4 • Color tone: -4 to +4 • B&W filter: N, Ye, Or, R, G • B&W tone: N, S, B, P, G
Image processing *	• Highlight tone priority • Auto lighting optimizer (4 settings)* • Long exposure noise reduction • High ISO noise reduction (4 settings)* • Auto correction of lens peripheral illumination (vignetting)*
Color space	• sRGB • Adobe RGB
Viewfinder	• Eye-level pentaprism • 95% frame coverage • Magnification: 0.95x(-1 diopter with 50 mm lens at infinity) • Eyepoint: 22 mm • Interchangeable focusing screen Ef-A standard (2 other types optional) • Dioptric adjustment: -3.0 to +1.0 diopter
Focusing screens (optional)	• Ef-A (Standard Precision Matte - included) • Ef-D (Precision Matte with grid) • Ef-S (Super Precision Matte for easier manual focus)
Mirror	• Quick-return half mirror (transmission:reflection ratio 40:60) • Mirror lock-up (once or multiple exposures)
Viewfinder info *	• AF points • Focus confirmation light • ISO sensitivity • Shutter speed • Aperture • Manual exposure • AE Lock • Exposure compensation amount • AEB level • Spot metering area • Flash ready • Red-eye reduction lamp on • High-speed sync • FE Lock • Flash compensation amount • ISO speed (while changing) • WB correction (while changing) • Highlight tone priority icon * • B&W mode icon • Warnings • Maximum burst for continuous shooting • Buffer space
LCD monitor *	• 3.0 " TFT LCD • 920,000 pixels * • 7 brightness levels • 160 ° viewing angle • Dual anti-reflection *
LCD Live view*	• Live TTL display of scene from CMOS image sensor • 100% frame coverage • 30 fps • Real-time evaluative metering using CMOS image sensor • Best view or exposure simulation • Silent mode • Grid optional (x2)* • Magnify optional (5x or 10x at AF point) • Three AF modes - Live mode/Quick mode/Face Detection* • Histogram* • Remote live view using EOS Utility 2.0 (via USB or WiFi/Ethernet using WFT)
Record review	• Off • On (histogram via INFO button) • Display mode same as last used Play mode • 2 / 4 / 8 sec / Hold
Playback modes	1. Single image with exposure, file number, storage slot 2. As 1 but also image count and quality 3. Detailed exposure information, thumbnail and luminance histogram 4. Less detailed exposure info., thumbnail, luminance and RGB histograms
Playback features	• Optional blinking highlight alert • Optional AF point display • Magnified view (up to 10x) • 2x2 or 3x3 thumbnail index • Jump (by 1, 10, 100 images / by screen or date) • Delete / Protect
Flash	• Auto pop-up E-TTL II auto flash • FOV coverage up to 17 mm (27 mm equiv.) • Guide number approx 13 m / 43 ft (ISO 100) • Cycle time approx. 3 sec • Flash compensation +/-2.0 EV in 0.3 or 0.5 EV increments • X-Sync: 1/250 sec
External flash	• E-TTL II auto flash with EX-series Speedlites • In-camera flash configuration (currently only 580 EX II) • Wireless multi-flash support • PC Sync
Shooting modes *	• Auto • Creative auto * • Program AE (P) • Shutter priority AE (Tv) • Aperture priority AE (Av) • Manual (M) • Auto depth-of-field • Portrait • Landscape • Close-up • Sports • Night portrait • Flash off • Camera user settings 1 • Camera user settings 2
Drive modes	• Single • High-speed continuous: 6.3 fps * • Low-speed continuous: 3 fps • Self-timer: 2 or 10 sec (3 sec with mirror lock-up)
Burst buffer *	• Large/Fine JPEG: 90 frames (with UDMA card) • RAW: 16 frames
Orientation sensor	Yes
Auto rotation	• On (recorded and LCD display) • On (recorded only) • Off
Custom functions *	25 custom functions with 74 settings in 4 groups
Menu languages *	• English • German • French • Dutch • Danish • Portuguese • Finnish • Italian • Norwegian • Swedish • Spanish • Greek • Russian • Polish • Czech * • Hungarian * • Romanian * • Ukrainian * • Turkish * • Arabic * • Thai * • Simplified Chinese • Traditional Chinese • Korean • Japanese
Firmware	User upgradable
Portrait grip	• Optional WFT-E3/E3A • Optional BP-E2N battery grip • Optional BP-E2 battery grip
Connectivity*	• USB 2.0 Hi-Speed • Video out • HDMI connector* • N3 type wired remote control • PC Sync flash terminal • Communication terminal on base for WFT-E3/E3A
Storage*	• Compact Flash Type I or II (inc. FAT32) • Supports UDMA cards * • Canon Original Data Security Kit supported ("Original Image Data") • No CF card supplied
Power	• Lithium-Ion BP-511A rechargeable battery (supplied & charger) • Supports BP-511 / BP-511A / BP-512 / BP-514 • CR2016 Lithium battery (date/time backup) • Optional AC adapter
Wireless connectivity (optional WFT-E3/E3A)	• Mounts on base of camera and also acts as vertical grip • Has its own BP-511A battery • Wireless 802.11b / 802.11g • Wireless security: WEP, TKIP/AES, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK • Wireless methods: Infrastructure or Ad Hoc • Wired ethernet (100 Base-TX) • Transfer: FTP, PTP (remote control by computer), HTTP (view / remote fire) • USB host capable: External hard drives, flash drives • USB comms: GPS devices (records coordinates and altitude in image header)
Dimensions	146 x 108 x 74 mm (5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9 in)
Weight *	• No battery: 730 g (1.6 lb) • With battery: 822 g (1.8 lb)

* New or changed compared to the EOS 40D

Design

The only change on the front of the camera is a badge saying 50D, rather than 40D, and in fact a more detailed look around the camera doesn't give many more clues. The top of the mode dial is now silver, rather than deep gray and features a new, 'CA' (Creative Auto), mode. But there is another change - and one we're quite pleased to see - the addition of a useful purpose to the 'direct print' button. The much maligned print button now doubles-up to give direct access to live view.

The construction and materials percolate down from the previous EOS x0D cameras, with a two piece magnesium shell making up much of the front and rear of the camera. This time, however, Canon says it has improved the manufacturing tolerances, to ensure closer shut-lines and a greater degree of protection against the elements.

Side by side

Placed alongside the 40D, it's hard not to wonder whether it would have been faster to use PhotoShop than to photograph them alongside one another. We've heard few complaints about the 40D's design, however - perhaps Canon's decision not to make changes simply for their own sake is justifiable.

In your hand

In your hand the EOS 50D is exactly the same as the EOS 40D and, as we said about that cameras, it feels solid, reliable and 'well sorted' from an ergonomics point of view. (Much more so than the Rebel line of cameras below it).

LCD Monitor

One of the most striking differences is the provision of a greatly improved LCD. The size remains unchanged at 3.0" but the resolution rises from 230,000 dots to 920,000. This is effectively a change from 320 x 240 RGB pixels to 640 x 480 RGB pixels, putting it on a par with the latest high-end Nikons and Sony A700. It also features a three-layer anti-reflective coating that seems pretty impressive, compared to the other cameras in the office.

LCD control panel

On top of the camera is a large LCD control panel which provides a wide range of information about camera settings and exposure. The main numeric section of the panel doubles up to provide other types of information such as the 'Busy' warning, AF point selection etc. The panel appears to be identical to the one found on the 40D.

A breakdown of information displayed on the LCD panel can be found on the diagrams below.

Viewfinder

The EOS 50D gets the 40D's 0.95x magnification viewfinder. It's nicely designed, avoiding distortion or corner softness. As with previous models the eyepiece rubber is removable allowing for the eyepiece cover or different eyepieces / angled finders to be fitted.

Focusing screens

The 50D retains the 40D's ability to swap focusing screens for users with specific needs:

• Ef-A Standard Precision Matte
  - the supplied focusing screen, bright and with a normal matte
  
• Ef-D Precision Matte with grid
  - a more matte finish easier manual focusing also includes a grid pattern
  
• Ef-S Super Precision Matte
  - even more matte but obviously slightly darker, optimized for F2.8 and faster lenses

Focusing screen as supplied with installation arm	The range of EOS 50D focusing screens

Viewfinder view

The viewfinder gains a little 'D+' symbol that indicates whether Highlight Tone Priority is active.

AF point behavior remains unchanged: In automatic AF point selection mode the AF points chosen by the camera are highlighted briefly when you initiate AF (half-press shutter release / AF button), otherwise the selected AF point is highlighted. In automatic AF point selection mode the AF point will only highlight once an AF lock has been achieved. With a single AF point selected it will blink once as you half-press the shutter release and once more upon AF lock (or not at all if no AF lock was possible). In AI Servo AF mode (with the shutter release half-pressed) the selected AF point blinks just once and then tracks AF.

1	AE lock / AEB in-progress	9	Highlight tone priority
2	Flash ready / FE lock warning	10	ISO speed indicator
3	High-speed sync (FP flash)	11	ISO speed
4	FE lock / FEB in-progress	12	White balance correction / WB bracket
5	Flash exposure compensation	13	Monochrome shooting
6	Shutter speed / status indication	14	Maximum frames in a burst
7	Aperture / status indication	15	Focus confirmation
8	Exposure level indicator / compensation

Battery Compartment

The battery compartment on the EOS 50D is in the base of the hand grip, behind a simple clip- locked door. The door itself is removable (to make way for the optional battery grip). The EOS 50D is supplied with the BP-511A Lithium-Ion battery pack which provides 1390 mAh at 7.4 V (10.3 Wh). There's a tiny rubber flap on the inside edge of the hand grip (nearest the lens mount), where the cable from the optional AC adapter's dummy battery exits.

Battery Charger

	As with previous EOS x0D SLRs the 50D is supplied with the CB-5L battery charger, it's relatively small and lightweight and easy to pack for travel. Charge time is around 90 minutes and the LED on the top of the charger indicates charge progress.

WFT-E3/E3A Wireless Battery Grip (optional)

The EOS 50D supports the same three battery grips as the 40D. The BG-E2 (same as the EOS 20D & 30D), BG-E2N, which is almost the same but has rubber seals around the battery compartment door, and finally the WFT-E3/E3A wireless battery grip. The one thing the WFT-E3/E3A doesn't do is provide any extra power to the camera; as you can see it's a different design to the BG-E2 series as it doesn't have the dummy battery stalk. Instead the camera battery stays in the camera and the grip simply attaches to the bottom of the camera (and communicates through a new connector).

With the WFT-E3/E3A you can shoot wirelessly (802.11b/g) direct to FTP servers as well as have two-way communication over PTP and HTTP. In HTTP mode you can effectively remote control the camera, see a live view, change settings and take shots. The USB port can be used to store directly to external USB hard disks (although only small flash devices can be powered by the grip) or provide GPS data from USB GPS devices. Images from 40D.

Compact Flash Compartment

The Compact Flash compartment on the EOS 50D is at the rear corner of the hand grip and is opened by sliding the door towards you and flipping outwards. The door itself has a metal hinge and opens with plenty of room to remove the CF card once ejected. The CF activity light is to the bottom right of the quick control dial. In addition to the Type I and Type II Compact Flash cards (including the >2GB, FAT32 varieties) supported by the 40D, 50D also supports the faster, more recent UDMA standard and the Compact Flash + standard.

Connections

The 50D's connectors all live down the left-hand edge of the camera under a split rubber flap. There are now effectively two columns of connectors, each with its own cover. On the left we have PC sync and the remote terminal (N3), on the right video-out and USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed). The 50D gains an HDMI connector, not seen on the 40D.

Base / Tripod Mount

	The tripod mount retains its position, though there's still not much in the way of grip to help secure it to a tripod plate. A rubber cover protects the connecter (for communicating with the optional WFT-E3A wireless grip).

Internal flash

The EOS 50D features an E-TTL II pop-up flash (same as the 40D, 30D and 20D), it has a guide number of 13 (approx. 3.3 m @ 17 mm / 2.3 m @ 85 mm; ISO 100) and a wide angle coverage of 17 mm. Support for E-TTL II means that lens distance information is now used to calculate the required flash power. Flash sync speed is 1/250 sec.

AF Assist

As per most previous Canon DSLRs, the 50D uses the internal flash for AF assist. Instead of having a separate lamp to provide assistance to the AF system in low light you have to raise the flash unit which will strobe to provide illumination for AF.

External flash

The EOS 50D's hot-shoe can be used with Canon and third party flash units (sync only). As with the internal flash the hot shoe supports E-TTL II metering which uses distance information from the lens to calculate flash power. This works with all Canon lenses (although distance information is only provided by lenses with ring type USM motors). You'll note also the new weather seal surround which works in conjunction with the newer 580EX II Speedlite.

Lens Mount

The EOS 50D has a standard metal EF / EF-S lens mount which means that it supports all Canon EF and EF-S lenses plus compatible third party lenses. Because the sensor is smaller than a 35 mm frame all lenses are subject to a field of view crop (sometimes called focal length multiplier) of 1.6x, thus a 17 mm lens provides the same field of view as a 27.2 mm lens on 35 mm film.

Supplied In the Box

The EOS 50D is offered as body-only or as a kit with either the EF-S 17 - 85 IS or EF-S 18 - 200 IS lenses. Included in the body-only box is:

• Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR body
• Eyecup Eb
• BP-511A Lithium-Ion battery pack
• CB-5L (or CG-580) Battery charger
• Neck strap
• USB Cable
• Video Cable
• CD-ROMs
  • Canon EOS Solution Disk
  • EOS Utility
  • ZoomBrowser EX
  • Remote Capture
  • Digital Photo Professional
• Manuals / Reg. card