Gear Reviews

Canon EOS 500D

Cameras

25 March 2009 09:11

CANON has announced a new Digital SLR called the EOS 500D to increase its line-up of enthusiast cameras. With looks and styling very similar to the EOS 450D, the new camera has a higher range of features to tempt buyers. For starters the 500D becomes the second camera (after the 5D Mk II) in Canon’s stable to offer full High Definition (HD) video.

Full review coming soon. See below for details on the 500D.

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500D features

It also features a 15.1 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, high ISO sensitivity up to 3200 (which is expandable to 12800), and Live View mode that includes contrast based and Face Detection AF options. The rear LCD screen is also the same as the one with the higher priced 5D Mk 11.

Its DIGIC 4 processor drives continuous shooting speeds of up to 3.4 fps in bursts of up to 170 JPEGs. It also has Canon’s wide area AF system – which features 9 individual sensors, including a central cross type point with a high precision sensor for f/2.8 or faster lenses– makes capturing split-second action sequences possible.

Image quality is protected by the EOS Integrated Cleaning System, which reduces, repels and removes unwanted dust from the sensor. Stubborn particles can be easily removed in post-production by using Dust Delete Data – which can be added to the image in-camera – and Canon’s included Digital Photo Professional software.
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.

Pricing
The EOS 500D (body only) is available from early May 2009 priced at £869.99 inc. VAT

…With EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Kit lens at £969.99 inc. VAT

…With an EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Kit lens at £1399.99 inc. VAT

Features at a glance

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) 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.

For more information click here