The 500D is the fifth generation in Canon's entry-level line of DSLRs and sits alongside the year-old 450D as the flagship model. Yet its features seem to have more in common with the semi-professional Canon EOS 50D than its predecessor.
First up, the new EOS 500D features a 15.1 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor – ideal
for large detailed prints or enormous cropping possibilities. For
shooting in near-dark conditions, the EOS 500D offers a high ISO
sensitivity up to 3200 which is expandable to 12800, giving
photographers the power to shoot in the dimmest light conditions.
Outstanding noise reduction is made possible by Canon’s DIGIC 4
processor.
The EOS 500D heralds a new way for photography enthusiasts to capture
their world. It pairs outstanding still image capture with Full HD
1080P video recording. For longer video shoots, users can also choose
lower shooting resolutions of 720P or VGA. A built-in HDMI connection
allows easy and instant review of images and movie clips on any
compatible HDTV.
The 500D
inherits the same 14-bit DIGIC 4 processor as the 50D and 5D MKII too,
which contains noise levels well and captures vibrant colours and a
pleasing dynamic range.
Further imaging enhancements from the 50D
include Peripheral Illumination Correction, Auto Lighting Optimizer and
High ISO Noise Reduction settings. The 450D's Manual Exposure options,
integrated dust buster, nine-point AF and spot metering are also
retained.
Crucially, the street price of a 500D body is also
remarkably close to that of a 50D (£820), but there are some important
differences that separate the two – most obviously the camera bodies.
The
500D retains a similar petite plastic body and stainless steel chassis
to the 450D, whereas the 50D boasts a beefier magnesium alloy body with a
more comfortable grip and balanced feel when using telephoto lenses.
The
500D's smaller body means there's no room for the 50D's top LCD or rear
scroll wheel. Instead, everything is controlled via the interactive
LCD, buttons and top dial.
The 50D is a touch faster, too,
offering continuous shooting at 6fps for 16 RAW frames compared with the
500D's 3.4fps for nine RAW files. The 500D also takes a couple of
seconds to render RAW previews at 100 per cent – inconvenient if you're
in a rush.
On top of this, the 50D offers a bigger, brighter
viewfinder, Kelvin White Balance control, faster shutter and flash sync
speeds and about 30 extra custom function settings.
The one trump
card that the 500D does hold is its HD Movie Mode. The only other Canon
DSLR to offer HD video is the pro-level 5D MKII. Both capture HD (720p)
videos at 30fps, but while the 5D manages Full HD (1080p) at 30fps, the
500D drops to 20fps.
That's fine for static and slow-moving
scenes, but with fast-moving subjects motion can appear jerky. Clips are
saved in the H.264 .MOV format, rather than Motion JPEG, which is used
by the Nikon D90 and D5000.
In Movie Mode the ISO, aperture and
shutter speed are always set automatically, but you can set AE Lock and
Exposure Compensation manually. Movie capture is part of the camera's
Live View function, so there's no continuous focus as with a
conventional camcorder. Instead, you can focus via autofocus modes or by
magnifying the image and focusing the lens manually.
The fastest
AF Mode is Quick Mode because it uses the same autofocus mechanism as
viewfinder shooting. You can activate autofocus during filming, but if
you set Quick Mode it reverts to the slow Live Mode once you hit Record.
Furthermore, the noise from AF lens mechanisms virtually drowns
out any other audio picked up by the camera's mic. There's no external
mic jack either, so you're best off avoiding AF altogether during movie
recording. A dedicated HD camcorder would offer more control, but aside
from a little shadow grain and noisy low-light results, the 500D's movie
quality is impressive.
There's also no denying the advantage of
being able to employ all manner of potentially top quality lenses, plus
workarounds such as using ND filters, long lenses or macro lenses. By
focusing manually you can make dramatic focusing changes during filming,
plus add arty colour effects using Picture Styles.
Digital Photo Professional software offers a comprehensive
RAW editing package, with functions such as a quick check tool, a
cropping tool, and a stamp tool – plus the ability to change brightness,
White Balance and Picture Styles in RAW images. The software suite is
included with EOS Utility and Picture Style Editor for unrivalled versatility.
Compatibility with the full range of Canon’s EF and EF-S lenses and
EX-series Speedlites – including the exceptionally compact, powerful new
Speedlite 270EX, which features a bounce and zoom head, plus fast
recharging from just 2 AA sized batteries – allows the creation of a
shooting system as unique as the photographer using it.
“The EOS 500D pushes the boundaries of what photographers can demand from their cameras, combining exceptional images with full HD video,” said Rainer Fuehres, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging, Europe.
“Photography enthusiasts can now capture their most significant moments in a manner that matches their creativity.”
Any Canon photographer can register for the CANON iMAGE GATEWAY
service, which allows access to the latest EOS information, useful
updates and exclusive EOS content – plus tools that allow users to
create their own video podcasts and store images online.
Pricing and availability:
The EOS 500D (body only) is available from early May 2009 priced at £869.99 / €999.99 RRP inc. VAT.
The EOS 500D EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Kit is available from early May 2009 priced at £969.99 / €1139.99 RRP inc. VAT.
The EOS 500D EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Kit is available from early May 2009 priced at £1399.99 / €1639.99 RRP inc. VAT.
Features at a glance:
* 15.1 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
* Full HD movie recording with HDMI connection for viewing and playback on an HDTV
* ISO 100-3200 (expandable to 12800)
* 3.4 frames per second continuous shooting
* Max. 170 large JPEG images in a single burst
* 3.0” ClearView LCD with Live View mode
* 9-point wide area AF with cross type centre point
* High speed DIGIC 4 performance and superb image quality
* EOS Integrated Cleaning System
* Full compatibility with Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series Speedlites, including new Speedlite 270EX, TS-E 17mm f/4L and the TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II.
Even
considering its surfeit of cutting-edge enhancements and flagship
status, the additional inclusion of a high-definition movie mode appears
to have inflated the price of the 500D somewhat beyond entry-level
expectations.
However, if you like the idea of a high
specification, ultra-portable DSLR that'll also let you film family
memories, fun stuff for YouTube or more ambitious artistic works, the
500D could prove to be everything you need.
via [techradar.com] and [dphotoexpert]
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