Canon EOS 500D

After using the 300D and the 400D I upgraded to the 500D and have been using it for the last 8 months. I have to say it hasn't let me down once. The pictures are all spot on in terms of exposure, though the in camera settings do require a little boost as the defaults are slightly muted in terms of saturation and sharpness. (Something I think that reflects on some of its reviews). Handling is great and value for money superb. One thing hardly ever mentioned in reviews is the software package that comes with it. Canons digital photo professional is superb, and picture styles allows you to customise the settings to give 3 custom scenes. Also EOS utility deserves a mention as it allows great macro photography with micro control of focus on Canon lenses. Add to this Zoom Browser EX for cataloging and photostich panorama and you have most of the facilities in photoshop elements for free, in fact the RAW workflow is better. It's worth noting that Nikon's NX software is extra and not cheap (approx £120), which makes this Camera even better value for money. The EF-S 18-55 IS lens is a great all rounder and very light and it teams up perfectly with the superb 55-250 IS for a great range of focul lengths at a reasonable price. Clearly in terms of resolution it out performs most of Nikons range which seem to have peaked at 12mp and matches the Sony alpha range. It is the extra pixels that to me give me the margin to be able to rotate and crop images while still leaving a 12mp image capable of being enlarged to A4+, very useful! "So how is live view?" you ask. Well to be honest I don't use it a great deal. Infrequently I use the grid to line up horizons etc, but in use its more of a gimick than really useful. Call me a traditionalist but I still prefer a viewfinder especially in bright weather. For the odd high level or low level shot it's ok, and when connected to my telescope very useful for focusing without breaking my kneck but thats about it. Ok then what about video? Well this is superb, unlike some other makes which claim 720p as HD the Canon has full HD at 1080p. The quality on my Samsung LED TV is outstanding. I have stopped using a camcorder now and can take just the one camera with me on holiday. Something I'm looking forwards to when in Egypt this summer. Yes it does need a good memory card, Canon state a type 6 SDHC card, but I would say type 10 is better as even on a 6 with fast movement or panning you get the odd stutter. The clarity of the footage is amazing, on a bright day it's like you are there!!! Overall, I would say this is the best Canon consumer camera yet, I will be interested to see how the 550 does, but it should push down the price of the 500D even further so keep an eye out and bag yourself a bargain and a stunning camera. When this was at the higher price I bought it at it was good value for money, now at approx £500 for the body it's stunning value.

(Written by: StreeterN)