http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 14th 2008 7:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 14th 2008 7:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 14th 2008 7:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 14th 2008 7:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/
It works both ways D40 or 40D]]>Nov 14th 2008 7:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 14th 2008 7:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 14th 2008 7:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 14th 2008 8:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/
What I would change with Canon's prosumer line-up is the horrid Autofocus. I don't understand why Nikon can give professional level 51-point AF and metering in the D300 that is only around a hundred dollars more expensive then a 50D and Canon is stuck with the 9-point AF that is below the quality of even a D80/D90 even on its high-end 5D Mark II.

Worse part is that the spot-meter isn't linked to the autofocus point (unless its directly in the center). I mean, really, I would like to expose an image based off where I'm focusing (BTW Canon 5D owner).]]>Nov 14th 2008 9:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/2. More auto focus points.
3. Full frame! (I know I know, but I can dream)
4. HD movie mode since it seems to be the trend.
5. Built-in GPS location tagging (instead of requiring bulky attachment accessory).]]>Nov 14th 2008 7:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/
Agree with the rest! However I find the number of focus points just enough.]]>Nov 14th 2008 7:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 17th 2008 11:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 14th 2008 8:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 14th 2008 10:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 14th 2008 8:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Overall, they did give it their highest reward, "Highly Recommended", but only just. They cite the aforementioned concerns as reasons for their hesitance, along with the price, which at the time of the review's publication, was just $100 less than the D300 (which they of course had high praise for). They also pointed out that the 40D can be had for about $500 cheaper, and that the 50D may also need to keep an eye on the rear-view mirror for the D90.]]>Nov 14th 2008 8:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/ Well, dpreview.com as much as tells us that the 50D simply has too many pixels for its own good.

dpreview is wrong. The 50D's sensel density has been demonstrated many times over to be 100% usable with good glass, used properly. dpreview made that comment in the context of using a 50mm lens at ƒ/9, which is diffraction limited. You can find literally tens of images in the dpreview forums of both test targets and real work subjects that demonstrate that the camera's sensel density is not a limiting factor. No one should *sensibly* expect to make use of a 15 mp APS-C sensor with low quality glass. You'll have to spend some money; but this is NOT a limitation of the camera. If you have cheap glass, it'll make the best use possible of it.

The compromise here is in noise and ISO; by using smaller sensels, they gave up noise resistance and overall photon well size -- but by using the microlens tech, they got back the ground lost, and the 50D performs like the 40D, but with 1.5x the pixels. They thought this was a sweet spot for consumers (and they've not been proven wrong, I might add.)

Like a lot of people, I'd have been happy with the same size sensor and lower noise, broader ISO; but I'm not *unhappy* with the 50D as is, either. Just don't count on the dpreview.com information, that review is flawed in many ways and they've been completely unable to defend the excuses they offer for the mistakes they made.
]]>Nov 15th 2008 12:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/
I agree with the smudges on the screen, easy to wipe off but mine always seems smudged.

I wish live view focused faster in "contrast detection" live view.

The pop up flash isn't high enough for some larger lenses (24-104 and 100-400mm).

I hate that they changed the 3 buttons on the top from the 5D. I'm always pressing the wrong one to change the iso.

Grid lines for people like me who have trouble holding the camera straight.

The dynamic range could use some improvement (Not as good as my 5D). Noise is good for the resolution. Focusing is fast fast and accurate.

That being said, I'm happy with it.



]]>Nov 15th 2008 1:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 15th 2008 9:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 15th 2008 1:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 14th 2008 10:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/\/ (down)]]>Nov 14th 2008 8:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 14th 2008 8:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 15th 2008 9:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/
What I wish it had (mostly stated by others above):
1) 12MP sensor rather than 15MP, hopefully resulting in a resolution increase as well as noise improvement over 40D
2) HD video: Not for replacing a real video camera, but for using lenses that video cameras don't have for interesting results. I have a macro lens and a decent telephoto that could make videos not possible with consumer videocams, and I'm betting low-light with a good wide-aperture lens would be better as well.
3) Faster Live View autofocus
4) Built-in GPS geotagging]]>Nov 14th 2008 8:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/
You can, with a little looking and patience, pick up a 5D for less than a 50D, which has even BETTER low light performance and is full frame

The point isnt that the 50D is so much a bad camera is that its immediate predecessor was just too damn good!

Is the resolution good? Yes, if you have the optics to back it up! But the high-iso noise performance is NOT better, you are a fool to think that, its very very good when you take into account all factors, but the 40D just hit a much better "sweet spot"

Personally, I'm saving my pennies and either nabbing a 5D at rock bottom prices or a 40D

I'm a 30D shooter, and my high-ISO performance isnt half bad sometimes [I've gotten some stuff at ISO1600 that was damn good with a little NR in ACR] and to be honest my only complaints with it are the viewfinder [Too small, no gridlines] and the AF system [Poor, as someone stated above, it really needs a good 11 or 15 point AF system Canon! Come on, you're the company that gave us the 45-point AF in the EOS-3!!!]]]>Nov 15th 2008 2:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/
The Nikon D90 is both cheaper, and takes better photos than the Canon 50D. The Canon 40D was a decent camera, but the 50D isn't a worthy replacement for it. Heck, some people argue that the 40D wasn't a worthy replacement to the 30D, which was an outstanding camera. Canon just seems to upgrade without adding anything to it, really. They just want to say that they upgraded.

I think the 450D is a better deal for what you're getting, and that includes the better image quality.]]>Nov 14th 2008 8:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/>>I would have added a 12 MP sensor rather than the silly 15 MP sensor.

The Nikon D90 is both cheaper, and takes better photos than the Canon 50D. The Canon 40D was a decent camera, but the 50D isn't a worthy replacement for it. Heck, some people argue that the 40D wasn't a worthy replacement to the 30D, which was an outstanding camera. Canon just seems to upgrade without adding anything to it, really. They just want to say that they upgraded.

I think the 450D is a better deal for what you're getting, and that includes the better image quality.]]>Nov 15th 2008 2:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 14th 2008 8:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/
Movie mode simply because you're not going to be able to release a camera without it.]]>Nov 14th 2008 8:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/i just wish it had the ability to trigger speedlites internally.. just like those darn nikons.. ]]>Nov 14th 2008 9:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/
xploit3d.com]]>Nov 14th 2008 9:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/
You have to admit though being able to buy the bottom end flash and then doing wireless out of the box is pretty nice, rather than having to buy even more accessories.]]>Nov 15th 2008 6:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 14th 2008 9:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/

~e


]]>Nov 15th 2008 10:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 14th 2008 9:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/
Once I finally got my hands on the Canon 50D and tested it out with the new Canon 18-200mm IS lens I discovered the added price was truely worth the wait and the extra money. I too was impressed by the Nikon 51 point auto-focus system on paper but in practice the Canon's 9 point auto-focus system simply works better in real world shooting. The kit lens for the Nikon D90 an 18-105mm is far less money than the Canon 50D, 18-200mm but by comparison is a waste of money for all but the true amatuer buying his/her first DSLR. If you're on a budget, don't own a video camera and need a cheap DSLR with mediocre lens than the Nikon D90 is a good choice.

However, if you plan to shoot weddings, portraits, children's sports and other event photography then you'd be better served by saving up to buy the Canon 50D with the 18-200mm IS lens. The camera focuses very fast, produces consistently sharp images, is extremely reliable and has all the features a prosumer or weekend pro needs to make money in photography without the worry of equipment failure. I've shot several events with this camera and lens combo, plus the Canon Speedlite 580 flash and I'm happy to report this camera is a winner. In over 3000 images I had very few bad results. The images that I rejected were usually due to my error and not the equipments.

In the analog days I shot exclusively with Nikon and Hasselblad and I really wanted Nikon to be the digital choice for me but beginning with the Canon 20D I found Canon to be the better DSLR in the field when shooting real jobs. I own several HDV Sony video cameras so having on-board video in my DSLR is not something I would use professionally. I think it is a great feature to have for an occassional vidoe clip at a birthday party or luncheon event but I'd never use it when I'm hired to shoot video for a client.

The Nikon D90 will be a great camera for the amatuer looking to get into a better DSLR that has video capture capabilities but it doesn't cut it for a photographer who depends on his equipment to earn a living. Whereas the Canon 50D performs above it's price point. A professional of any level could use Canon 50D with confidence. I plan on buying a second Canon 50D body to mount my 8x12mm lens which will allow me to have a super wide and tele-zoom at hand when in the field.

I hope this helps to bring some perspective for those considering a new DSLR.

Cheers


]]>Nov 15th 2008 1:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/
As for the general comparison for the 50D to D90 ask for in the main story, it's not apples to apples, it's a $1500 dSLR to a $1000 dSLR. Of course the 50D going to be a better camera.

Anybody just starting out, with no lenses to hold them back, get the D300 for $1500 at most GOOD online camera stores, not the local Ritz or Wolf or Penn. ]]>Nov 14th 2008 11:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/
In fact, Canon's 9-point AF is severely flawed, primarily in the metering and the outer focusing points. Like I said above, the spot-meter isn't linked to any of the focusing point except the center. Hence, if you cannot spot-meter from any of the outer 8 AF points). This especially a problem if you compose a shot vertically and require to use the outer AF points. Atop that, the outer 8 points are only rated to F5.6, which means you really miss-out on the performance of the great prime lenses Canon has wide-open. Not a problem if you're using a 'vacation lens' like the 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6, but seriously lacking in for good L-glass.

Also, I would hardly consider the 50D a camera which you "earn a living" with. You certainly could, but the same argument applies to the D90 (or many other mid-low end prosumer cameras like the 50D/D90). ]]>Nov 15th 2008 12:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/>The 9-point AF in Canon's most definitely isn't in the same league as the 51-point from Nikon, which is related to the pro-AF in the D3 >(I'm assuming you tried out the D90, since you have erroneously attributed to the wrong camera).

>In fact, Canon's 9-point AF is severely flawed, primarily in the metering and the outer focusing points. Like I said above, the >spot-meter isn't linked to any of the focusing point except the center. Hence, if you cannot spot-meter from any of the outer 8 AF >points). This especially a problem if you compose a shot vertically and require to use the outer AF points. Atop that, the outer 8 points >are only rated to F5.6, which means you really miss-out on the performance of the great prime lenses Canon has wide-open. Not a >problem if you're using a 'vacation lens' like the 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6, but seriously lacking in for good L-glass.

ALL autofocus systems are related. When I can use my D50 to get a sharp shot of a bride in a dimly lit room at 200mm everytime, I'm happy. And exposure with the 580 ex II flash works well. (I tested the 50D as a backup to my trusty 5D at a wedding 2 weeks ago)

I think your mixing up metering and AF. Spot meter is what it is, the center spot. You meter, lock exposure and recompose, done. Otherwise use matrix metering which incorporates which focus sensors are being used into the exposure calculation.

I took to 50D birding and was quite happy with its focusing for BIF (Birds in flight).

Its not perfect but your post seems like a fanboy rant. Your right, good lenses are required to get the best of this camera]]>Nov 15th 2008 1:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/
If I were to change something in the 50D, it would be inclusion of a HD movie mode and a better live view focus (Without blackout) and have the ability to use a slave with the pop up flash. A better grip would help too. Both 40D and 50D probably have best in class high ISO performance but it could get better as well. Imagine shooting noise free pictures at ISO 1600!

Other than that, they are almost perfect.]]>Nov 15th 2008 2:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 14th 2008 10:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 14th 2008 11:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/

ps. thanks for the passwords everybody make crazy comments!]]>Nov 14th 2008 10:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/- incredibly fast at start up
- 6.3 FPS is very handy (esp. with kids!)
- fast at shooting, esp. with AF-ON/AI Servo and the shutter release set to exposure metering only
- solidly built and great feel
- IQ is fantastic with L or prime lenses
- LCD is superb and very snappy
- Custom menus and C1 and C2 are great
- Mirror Lock Up
- having a dial and joystick is great (set exposure balance and choose an AF point at the same time!)
- RAW, sRAW1 and sRAW2 as options

Cons:
- Nikon style auto-ISO ranges. 50D uses a range between 100-1600 for auto, and is lousy if you want to set a maximum (less noisy) ISO
- C1 and C2 should save settings every time they are set (they are lost if you power down and don't save them)

Minor Quibbles:
- "Quick Dial" mode should be the same as "On" mode, unless someone can tell me why they are split
- View finder could do with some grid lines (but option exists to buy ones with grids)
- USB port should be on the bottom of the ports rather than have to flip up all
- Strap shouldn't have the tacky 50D emblazoned on it
- Bezel should be all black, rather than a tacky chrome]]>Nov 14th 2008 11:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 14th 2008 11:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/
Yes, the camera intentionally doesn't save C1/C2 settings but this still causes one of the significant usability problems I have with it. The problem is with auto-power off. You're walking about, it gets a bit gloomy, you set ISO to 400, take a few pictures. 2 minutes later you take another few pictures and then swear, realising the camera has reset it back to 200 again...

I don't think it should 'save' settings but it should remember them through auto-power-off. If you 'really' power off, it should switch back to the defaults, or if you turn the mode dial. (I guess I could increase the auto power-off time but doesn't that use more battery?)

My changes to the 40D - and sadly, afaik none of these are in the 50D - would be:

1) Get rid of the mode dial altogether and work out a better solution. (Ditch the auto settings or move them to menu options - nobody buys a camera this expensive for auto mode, and if they do, then that's fine, make it factory-default in the menus. Manual or auto (Av, etc) exposure can be selected some other way, I dunno, work it out.)

For custom settings, a better solution would probably be to have three buttons C1... C3. The camera always remembers whatever it was last set to. Pressing C1..3 always immediately restores those default settings. Best of both worlds.

2) Like somebody else said, get rid of the two different on switch settings - there's the 'on' setting, and the 'on but half the main controls don't work' setting. we do not need that setting. make it a custom function if there is somebody on the planet who does need it.

3) Give us a picture review mode that, alongside the image, instantly shows the area around the focus point at 1:1 so we can check sharpness. (Did 50D add this? I don't think so).

4) Make exposure metering better and provide an option for people like me who don't want to blow highlights except in the most impossible situations (sun in picture, etc).

5) when in RAW mode, the overexposure indication should be based on the RAW data not the JPEG preview

6) why is exposure compensation limited to +/- 2? I don't want to have to switch to manual mode just for that. Let it be infinite or +/- 5 or something.

7) why does exposure compensation only work after it's started doing exposure readings? you should be able to adjust this with the dial at any time (of course if you could, maybe there would actually be a reason for that lock functionality).

and of course like everyone

8) better low-noise performance, instead of higher pixel count

the one thing I know 50D added that i do want is the ability to customise lens focus. Not sure I need it, but it seems like a good plan :)

smaller, lighter would be nice too... wireless flash connection and that nikon tilt sensor as standard... inbuilt GPS... totally customisable firmware... DNG standard raw files... and a cherry on top.]]>Nov 15th 2008 6:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 14th 2008 11:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/Nov 14th 2008 11:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/how-would-you-change-canons-eos-50d/You can't beat the Sony and Zeiss combination.]]>Nov 15th 2008 8:47AM