Canon has unveiled the EOS50D, a new model that sits above the successful EOS 40D in the company’s DSLR line-up.

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August 26, 2008: Canon has unveiled the EOS50D, a new model that sits above the successful EOS 40D in the company’s DSLR line-up.
Featuring an APS-C-sized 15.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and the newly developed DiG!C 4 Image Processor, the EOS 50D boasts a tough magnesium alloy body with a stylish design and a 3.0-inch VGA LCD monitor with 920,000 dots for greater flexibility and creative composition. The new image processor provides even faster signal processing and enables the EOS 50D to support continuous shooting speeds of 6.3 frames per second (fps) with continuous shooting up to 60 shots in a single burst (JPEG Large/Fine). The EOS 50D also has a baseline sensitivity range of ISO 100-3200 in 1/3-stop increments, which can be increased to ISO 6400 or ISO 12800 with ISO expansion.

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Front view of the new EOS 50D with the pop-up flash raised.

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Rear view showing the control layout, which is similar to the EOS 40D.

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Top view showing the new mode dial with the CA (Creative Auto) icon plus the LCD data display.
Like other recently-released DSLR cameras, the EOS 50D features a Live View Mode with Auto Focus capabilities and a Live Face Detection AF mode in Live View shooting, which is a first for Canon EOS cameras. In another first for Canon DSLR, the EOS 50D offers HDMI output in full High-Definition (HD), ensuring images can be viewed in Full HD when transferred to an HD monitor.
The new Creative Auto mode with Quick Control screen, enables photographers to adjust settings and shoot images as they visualise them, without requiring an understanding of technical terms such as aperture and exposure. On-screen graphics allow images to be made a little brighter or darker or users can make the background more blurry in Creative Auto mode, rather than by understanding how to change the exposure or aperture.
Also new are two automatic image correction technologies. The Auto Lighting Optimiser analyses brightness and contrast automatically before making adjustments to achieve optimal images. A new auto correction function ensures lens peripheral illumination fall-off is automatically corrected to suit each lens when shooting in JPEG mode. For CR2.RAW images, the correction can be made using the free Digital Photo Professional software that comes with the EOS 50D.

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The EOS 50D body with the new EF-S 18-200mm lens, which will be offered as a Premium Kit.
The EOS 50D body will be available in Body Only (RRP $TBC), as an Enthusiast Kit with EFS17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens (RRP $TBC), and as a Premium Kit with EF-S18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (RRP $TBC). These kits and accessories will all be available from 1 October 2008 through Canon dealers nationally. For more information phone Canon on 1800 021 167, or visit the website at www.canon.com.au.

 

Image sensor: 22.3 x 14.9 mm CMOS sensor; 15.1 megapixel resolution (effective)

Dust removal: EOS Integrated Cleaning System
Shutter speed range: 30 to 1/8000 sec. plus Bulb; X-synch at 1/250 sec.

Exposure Compensation: ±3 EV in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV
Self-timer: Electronically controlled timer with duration of 10 or 2 seconds
Focus system: High-precision 9-point AF with all cross-type sensors

Focus modes: Single-servo AF (S); Continuous-servo AF (C); Focus Tracking automatically activated according to subject status, 2) Manual focus (M) with electronic rangefinder
Exposure metering: Evaluative, Centre-weighted, Partial (9%), Spot metering (3.8%)
Shooting modes: Program AE, Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Manual

Picture Style settings: Six setting options: Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome; three more customised Picture Styles can be registered via a PC

Colour space options: sRGB, Adobe RGB

Custom functions: 25 plus 2 custom user settings
ISO range: ISO 100-3200 (H1: 6400, H2: 12800)
White balance: TTL white balance with Auto plus nine manual settings with fine-tuning; WB bracketing supported
Flash: Manual pop-up type; GN 13 (ISO 100, m); E-TTL II Autoflash control
Flash exposure adjustment: -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV
Sequence shooting: 6.3 fps/60 shots max burst (JPEG); 16 shots (RAW)
Storage Media: CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA)
Viewfinder: SLR-type with fixed eye-level pentaprism; 95% coverage; dioptric adjustment -3.0 to +1 dpt; accepts interchangeable focusing screens

LCD monitor: 3-inch low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with approx. 920,000 dots (VGA), 170-degree wide-viewing angle, 100% frame coverage
Live viewing: Yes. (Quick, Live & Live Face Detection AF Modes)
Playback functions: Full-frame, index (4 or 9 frames) and thumbnail with shooting data, jump (10 or 100 frames), playback zoom, slide show, histogram, highlight alert, auto/manual image rotation

Interface terminals: USB 2.0 Hi-speed, Video Out (PAL/NTSC); HDMI, remote control terminal (N3-type)
Power supply: BP-511A Li-ion battery (included)
Dimensions (wxhxd): 145.5 x 107.8 x 73.5 mm (body only)
Weight: 730 grams (body only)