Canon has introduced its EOS 50D DSLR for advanced photographers. The 15.1-megapixel resolution camera is equipped with Canon's new DIGIC 4 image processor, an expanded ISO range, improved noise reduction and in-camera photo editing features.
Built upon the success of the EOS 40D model, which will remain in Canon's line, the EOS 50D carries over the EOS 40D's 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion process for smooth tones. Canon has loaded the 50D camera with a number of enhancements, including an improved Live View function and the new Creative Auto (CA) mode that gives users creative flexibility to make image adjustments conveniently. The CA mode turns technical terms like "aperture" into common terms like "blur the background" or "lighten or darken the image" on the display screen.
The EOS 50D improves on image quality with a 15.1-megapixel CMOS APS-C size image sensor with newly designed gapless microlenses over each pixel to reduce noise and expand ISO to 12800. ISO speeds from ISO 100 up to ISO 3200 in 1/3-stop increments, and two high-speed settings, H1 and H2, of ISO 6400 and ISO 12800, respectively, help to capture fast-action shots.
The DIGIC 4 image processor allows up to 6.3-fps continuous shooting capability (for bursts of up to 90 large/fine JPEGs or 16 RAW images on a UDMA CF card). A cleaning system that automatically detects particles on the sensor is also designed into the camera body.
The camera is also equipped with a viewfinder featuring 0.95x magnification and nine cross-type sensors for accurate subject acquisition. The AF Microadjustment feature, originally on the EOS-1D Mark III, has also been added for maximum control over focusing precision. An Auto Lighting Optimizer optimizes images while they are being taken or post-capture, and a 3.0-inch Clear View LCD screen with four times the pixel count of the EOS 40D offers instant viewing.
The EOS 50D also offers two sRAW recording formats — sRAW1, at approximately 25 percent smaller than a standard 15.1-megapixel RAW image, and sRAW2, at half the file size of a standard RAW image.
The Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR camera sells in a body-only configuration at an estimated selling price of $1,399. It will additionally be offered in a kit version with Canon's EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens at an estimated selling price of $1,599.