
"Perfect" 2010-07-21By
LB2010Absolutely perfect and amazing camera. I did a lot of research before buying this camera and this was the least expensive and best place to get it.
"Great camera!!!" 2010-06-18By
Jennifer L. Blanton (South Texas)
I am a beginner....and I love this camera!! I am learning all the features...and I know that will take some time. Overall this camera is easy to use and is one of the best purchases I have made! Totally love it!!
"Best DSLR for a Beginner or Pro" 2010-06-17By
Matthew KajiokaI just purchased this and love it!
I have been shooting every day with it!
"CANON EOS 50D" 2010-06-15By
mezeus (Texas)
I haven't even opened the box yet. I'm still trying to figure out why I bought it. I think it has something to do with a fifth of Dewars. However I do on a 30D and it is a fine camera. I have used Canon equipment since the 60s and I have always bee very satisfied with the quality. Anyone want to buy a 'like new' 30D:?
"Canon EOS 50d (with 28-135 lens) - review" 2010-06-14By
Abdelrahman ElmouslyI had this camera + lens now for more than 4 months ... i have taken this camera to its limit ... this review will be the result of my test to this camera. also what i liked , disliked and also what i would hope for the next cameras. also how does this camera compare to it's rivals.
Section 1 : canon 50d camera review
1 : Image size and quality :-
for this camera ... i believe that canon really invested a lot in the quality of the images of the sensor. the quality is just amazing. The color information and the contrast in the levels is just unbelievable, actually i don't believe that pictures are that awesome without any kind of post processing. and of course the 15 megapixels are worth it. at first i had a rebel and i didn't think that the extra 3 mega pixels will make a difference, but i was wrong. the 15 mega pixels is something entirely different from the 12 mega pixels. but keep in mind that the large mega pixel comes with a price. the size of the images are LARGE. i use 8gb CF cards, it takes almost 400 images. and also the compact flash is expensive cards if you are aiming for UDMA cards. Conclusion ... if you are looking for a good image quality and you don't want to pay 2000$+ i would say that this camera is the best choice.
2 : Camera Speed :
if there is one thing i really love about this body, it is the speed. I am not talking about the 6.3 frames per second, i am talking about the camera speed itself. processing, menus, image playback, shutter lag, start up time; basically the time you take to change anything in the camera. it is extremely fast, u just can't keep up with her. also the auto focus is very fast(this also partially the lens). but also the camera performance in terms of metering, focus adjust is also extremely fast. then of course, the 6.3 frames persecond ... not the fastest in the market of course. but as far as i need. i don't think i will need more than this speed.
3 : Low light performance :
for me, this will be the only think missing from canon. there is no doubt that canon will lose in any comparison in low light conditions against Nikon. It is a fact that the Nikon cameras just produces amazing image quality at low light conditions than the canon does. However, the high ISO performance in the 50D is really acceptable. You get noise FREE images all the way up to 500. noise is noticeable at 1000. and of course after that it is noisy.i am talking about the 100% frame crops. the bottom line the high ISO performance of this camera is acceptable, but don't think that you will out-photograph a Nikon (D90) guy in low light using this camera.
4 : Build quality :
the first thing that you pick on right after you hold this camera is the build quality. Instantly you feel like you are holding a machine, you feel the build quality of this camera. if you hold a D90 after this camera you feel like you are holding a toy. i think that it is the best you get for this price tag.
5 : Ergonomics :
Canon cameras are ugly. the first thing i thought when i held this camera " a brick wall with buttons ", also the big pain canon delivers with changing the layout and functionality of the buttons and the body outer design with each release. Canon is just still way behind in terms of ergonomics compared to Nikon. But don't worry, it is just one week of photography and you will get used to this camera. the problem will be if you are using another canon body. The body is indeed heavy, when i am doing a complete photography day, i usually get cramps in my arms at the end of the day. One key think i like about this camera is the back wheel; much better in use than the Nikon's back dial.
6 : Ease of use :
if you are a canon user ... u will be familiar with the " organized " menu system and options of the canon cameras. i find this camera very easy to use. to change the camera option between one shot and the other, i would say it is easy to use.
Soooo ... to conclude ... i think this camera is an extremely good investment if you are willing to put up with ugly ergonomics and you are not looking specifically for low light photography. Other than that this camera will perform extremely good in any other condition.
What i really hate :
- There is no wireless flash controller. The D90 has one, canon should strongly consider this option. already released in the 7d ... but too late
- Some of the buttons in this camera doesn't make sense. (the AF-on button, also the flash exposure button on the top of the camera)
- I HATE the CA mode. it is like canon is reminding us that this camera is not for serious photographers. It is for people who doesn't know nothing about photography. and this is a very big problem in the market message that canon is sending to it's customers. I mean who would pay 1200$ in a camera if he doesn't have the basics of D-SLR photography, if this camera is for begginers, then why there is a rebel production line in the first place. same also with the 5D mark II, even it is embarrassing with the later.
- Some of the menu options just makes you angry. also doesn't make any sense.
that is about it. except from these points ... i LOVE This camera.
before the end of the camera part i would like to mention a point for canon that not a lot of people are aware of. canon supplies their professional software for free with the camera. Nikon only provide a viewer. The canon Digital photo professional is an awesome tools. if you are shooting raw. then this would be the best. they keep enhancing it release after release and i find my self not using photoshop or lightroom any more.
This is as far as the camera goes.
now :
Section II : the 28 - 135 lens review :
i will try to be as fast as i can as this is getting to long
1- Coverage range : when you start using this lens you would realize that this was targeted to the full frame cameras. the 28 is extremely narrow. if you are planing to get landscape images ... FORGET it. the 135 on the other hand is really useful (with the 1.6 factor). you get good zoom on this camera ... like u are using a 70-200 on a full frame body. So this lens would make a great general purpose lens on a full frame body, however it is acceptable on this body.
2- Quality & performance : this lens delivers nice sharp results, relatively accurate in terms of focusing and extremely fast. produces a very smooth bokeh detail when pushed to its lowest f stop. u see some chromatic aberrations around some edges in pictures which are not exposed correctly. i didn't feel any vignetting in the pictures. in all ... this lens will deliver you an image with extremely satisfactory results.(if you know how to adjust the camera options to make the most of it)
3- Build quality : like the 50D, really good but really heavy. one thing i don't like about this lens is that if you are pointing it downwards, you find the barrel zooming in automatically (cuz of the heavy glass element in the front). same thing happens if you are pointing it upwards.
i would suggest u get the lens hood, also a UV filter. the filter size is HUGE for a kit lens. and you will find it collecting lots of smudges and dust.
To conclude on all :
I love this camera, it's pros so much out weights its cons. i would suggest this camera for anyone who wants to get out of the rebel line, it would also make a great back up body for those using 1ds and 5ds. with relatively low price, and you will get a very satisfactory results. Don't believe the reviews talking about low quality images. wither they don't know how to use the camera, or they are using bad lenses.
finally ... how much it compares to :
D90 : (almost the same price 200$ difference )depends on what you want. if you are not looking for low light performance, then this is the camera for you.
D300 : it is not available anymore, as Nikon introduced the d300s which is aimed at a higher end market with much expensive price tag. i would go with this camera. at least canon still puts it in its camera list :-).
7D : if you have no problems spending extra 600$ then of course get the 7d, all the cons in the 50d are gone in the 7D. but i would prefer to get a 50D then step up from it to a 5d MarkII.
well ... that is it.
i hope this review was useful. i tried to outline all the things i really like and hate in this camera.
please feel free to comment and ask about anything in this review.
thanks
Mously
Read more Canon EOS 50D 15.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens