Photo answers review
Photo answers rating 
Features & handlingThe EOS 450D is an upgrade of the popular Canon EOS 400D and boasts a couple of improvements. Resolution has increased to 12.2MP, there’s an integrated sensor-cleaning system, a DIGIC III image processor to provide a faster and more accurate performance, and shooting speed has been increased to 3.5fps.
Although there’s still no in-camera image stabilisation, at least the new 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens is now available as a kit lens.
The other big news is the LCD monitor has increased from 2.5in to 3in so you can get a better look at your pictures and won’t have to squint to navigate the menu.
The look and feel of the camera has changed slightly: the new screen really dominates the back of the camera and accommodating it has meant that the buttons have been moved around. Menu and Display buttons now sit next to the viewfinder above the monitor; the ISO button is on the top plate next to the on/off switch; and the white balance button has been moved just above the multi-selector – all of which makes for easier access and improved handling.
PerformanceThe EOS 450D will write a JPEG in 1.3 seconds or a RAW file in 1.75 seconds, so it’s still in the lead for its market sector. Both the new Nikon D60 and Sony Alpha 200 offer write times just fractionally slower.
The new kit lens is fairly noisy and emits an unnerving whining sound during operation, but AF is incredibly fast and there’s image stabilisation thrown in. Sharpness is excellent but sadly, results look fairly dull. We expect RAW files to come out a little dingy, as this gives you more leeway to edit the exposures later. The trouble is that while other cameras compensate for this by delivering punchy JPEGs, unfortunately the EOS 450D doesn’t boost its JPEGs either.
If you like your pictures with a little more colour saturation, you could try changing the Picture Styles setting and creating your own Vivid user-mode. It’s a shame there’s no Vivid mode among the camera’s own presets and that Landscape mode isn’t a more punchy solution either.
Verdict A few years ago, the differences between each generation of camera were so vast that everyone was itching to get their hands on the latest model. Sadly the EOS 450D isn’t so different from the EOS 400D to warrant instant upgrading. And, while the EOS 450D is a great camera in itself, it starts to fall back a little when compared to its competition.
If you’re looking for high resolution, the Sony Alpha 350 costs on average £14 less body only, with a massive 14.2MP sensor at £515. For entry-level users or those on a tighter budget, the Nikon D60 (£509) and Sony Alpha 200 (£355) are both cameras that are easier to use, offer punchier results and all for a lower price.
However, if you know you want to invest in a Canon D-SLR, the decision is hard. For just around £100 more, you could look at the EOS 40D, which is a faster, more solid D-SLR but with a resolution of only 10.1MP. It’s a tough decision to make.
The EOS 450D is the fourth entry-level D-SLR from Canon and, as the previous three cameras have all been best-sellers in their time, we should rightly expect the same standard of excellence from this model. Or should we? Other manufacturers have really raised their game in recent months, so let’s find out if the EOS 450D can live up to its illustrious heritage…
Product Description
| Weight/size (WxHxD) |
475g/129x98x62mm
|
| Effective resolution |
12.2MP |
| Lens mount |
Canon EF/EF-S |
| Focal length conversion |
1.6x |
| Aspect ratio |
3:2 |
| LCD monitor size |
3in (230k dots) with Live View |
| File formats |
JPEG, RAW (CR2) |
| Card type |
SD (SDHC compatible) |
| Exposure modes |
Auto, program, aperture-priority, shutter-priority, manual plus seven scene modes |
| Metering modes |
Evaluative, partial, spot and centre weighted average |
| Autofocus |
9-point |
| ISO range |
100-1600 |
| Battery type |
Li-ion LP-E5 |
| Software supplied |
Canon DPP |
| Start-up time |
Less than 1 second |
| Write times |
1.3 seconds (JPEG), 1.75 seconds (RAW) |
| Shutter speed range |
30 seconds to 1/4000sec +bulb |
| Flash sync |
1/200sec |
| Continuous shooting speed |
3.5fps for 52 frames (JPEG) or 6 frames (RAW) |