March 25, 2009: Canon is adding a sophisticated new model to its EOS DSLR line-up, the EOS 500D.
Positioned between the EOS 450D and the ESO40D, the EOS 500D combines features of the EOS 50D and EOS 5D Mark II. The new model's body has a stainless steel core and polycarbonate resin casing with glass fibre reinforcement for additional strength. It is equipped with a Canon-developed and manufactured CMOS image sensor that offers an effective resolution of 15.1 megapixels. The fast speed of the DiG!C 4 image processor supports Live View shooting and enables the EOS 500D to become the first entry-level DSLR to include Full High Definition movie recording. (TV-quality 9VGA) movie recording is also available. As in the EOS 5D Mark II, ISO sensitivity settings range from 100 to 3200 in normal mode with extensions to H1 at ISO 6400 and H2 at ISO 12800 available.
Front view of the EOS 500D with the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens that will be offered in the Premium kit. (Source: Canon.)
Front view of the EOS 500D body without a lens attached. (Source: Canon.)
Rear view showing the large VGA-resolution LCD monitor with the shooting information displayed. (Source: Canon.)
Top view of the EOS 500D with the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens, showing the mode dial, grip and some key controls. (Source: Canon.)
A cutaway view of the EOS 500D body. (Source: Canon.)
Movies and stills can be viewed easily on the camera's VGA-resolution (920,000 dots) 3.0-inch LCD screen, which features an anti-reflection and anti-smudging coating. In another first for Canon entry-level EOS cameras, the 500D adds a Face Detection mode to Live View shooting. The new model also includes special Auto Lighting Optimiser and Peripheral Illumination Correction tools to ensure high-quality images.
The EOS 500D body will be available from May 2009 through Canon dealers nationally. It will be offered as Body Only, in Single IS Kit (with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS), Twin IS kit (with EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS and EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS), Enthusiast Kit (with EF-17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM) and Premium kit (with EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS).
Released concurrently with the EOS 500D is the new 270EX Speedlite, which replaces the entry-level 220EX model. Compact and lightweight, the 270EX Speedlite features a new bounce-flash capability and can be used with all EOS DSLR cameras plus some high-end digicams, including the PowerShot G10.
Front view of the new 270EX Speedlite. (Source: Canon.)
Side view of the new 270EX Speedlite showing its adjustable head positioned for bounce-flash. (Source: Canon.)
Pricing has still to be confirmed for the EOS 500D body and its various kit offerings as well as for the 270EX Speedlite. For more information on both products, phone Canon on 1800 021 167 or visit www.canon.com.au.
Image sensor: 22.3 x 14.9 mm CMOS sensor with 15.1 megapixels effective
A/D processing: 14-bit
Lens mount: Canon EF/EF-S
Focal length crop factor: 1.6x
Image formats: Stills – JPEG, CR2.RAW; Movies - MOV (Video: H.264, Audio: Linear PCM)
Image Sizes: Stills - 4752 x 3168, 3456 x 2304, 2352 x 1568; Movies - HD: 1920 x 1080 (16:9), SD: 640 x 480 (4:3) both at 30 fps
Image Stabilisation: Lens-based
Dust removal: EOS Integrated Cleaning System
Shutter speed range: 1/4000 sec – 30, bulb, X-sync at 1/200 sec.
Exposure Compensation: Manual, ±2EV in 1/3 or 1/2-stop increments
Exposure bracketing: AEB ±2EV in 1/3 or 1/2-stop increments
Self-timer: 2 or 10 second delay
Focus system: TTL autofocus with 9 AF points (manually selectable) plus 6-point Assist AF
Focus modes: One-Shot AF, AI Servo AF, AI Focus AF, Manual focusing (MF)
Exposure metering: 35-segment metering; Evaluative, Partial, Spot, Centre-weighted
average
Shooting modes: 7 standard modes (including P, Av, Tv, A-DEP and M)
Picture Style/Control settings: Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, User Defined 1 - 3
Colour space options: Adobe RGB, sRGB
Custom functions: 13
ISO range: ISO 100-3200 (H1: 6400, H2: 12800)
White balance: Auto, Preset (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten light, White fluorescent light, Flash), Custom
Flash: E-TTL II Autoflash, GN 13
Flash exposure adjustment: ±2EV in 1/3 or 1/2-stop increments
Sequence shooting: 3.4 frames/second (up to 60 JPEG images)
Storage Media: SD/SDHC cards
Viewfinder: 95% coverage, non-interchangeable focusing screen; -3 to +1 dpt adjustment
LCD monitor: 3.0-inch TFT LCD with 902,000 dots (VGA)
Live View modes: Quick, Live and Live face detection AF Modes
Video Capture: Yes
Data LCD: No
Playback functions: Single, Single + Info (Image-recording quality, shooting information, histogram), 4-image index, 9-image index, image rotate possible; Playback zoom: 1.5x to 10x; jump by 10 or 100 images, jump by screen, by shooting date, by folder, by movie, by stills; highlight alert; histogram; movie playback enabled (LCD monitor, video/audio OUT, HDMI OUT)
Interface terminals: Hi-Speed USB/ HDMI mini/ Audio/Video OUT/ PC Terminal/ Remote control/ External microphone input
Power supply: LP-E5 rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Dimensions (wxhxd): 128.8 x 97.5 x 61.9
Weight: 480 grams
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