Canon EOS 50D Black 15.1 MP Digital SLR w/ 28-135mm IS Lens, 3" LCD, HDMI Output, LiveView with Face Detection 4.8 5 21 27
Good Value--Shaky packaging For me, the 50D was one of only four cameras that made any price/performance sense: the Xsi, T1i, 50D, and 5D.The chip was a bit of a worry: the pixel density in the CMOS is the highest ever from Canon, and noise was a big concern.I bought the 50D, and it has been fine. Low-light noise is (and always will be) a problem, but low-light is the bane of all photographers' existence after all. The high-end ISO settings are strictly for emergencies--1600 and 3200 ISO shots are not eligible for big enlargments--but if you need a shot at any cost, you can usually get it with this camera.It's Canon's best camera for the money that's not full-frame. The 5D is better in almost every respect related to image quality, but it costs over twice as much.For speed, though, the 50D is amazing. It's hard to imagine "needing" more than 6.3 frames in a second, but the camera delivers.The other huge seller for me was the Digic IV interface. It's the best Canon has ever had, and with a couple of tweaks to custom settings, it is truly usable in the field, under almost any circumstances. I value the quick-screen settings from the remarkable VGA quality 3-inch screen--they are big enough to see well in lousy light no matter how bad your eyesight.All in all, the 50D is a great leap forward in the very few years since Canon started this line with the 20D. And of course, it is a much more serious camera than the point-and-shoot field can offer.As for my Wal-Mart experience, the price was the best anywhere (except for the rip-off shops on the East Coast, who unpackage cameras and sell you the battery separately, etc.) That's not always the case, but it was this time. The only one negative was the packaging: I received the camera and lens in the standard Canon box, inside a much larger shipping box, and one sheet of mashed brown paper to cushion the blows inflicted by UPS drivers. Shameful. But the camera was seemingly unaffected by the mistreatment, and is working well. 07/01/2009
Still awesome Even with the advent of the T1i and the new 7D this camera is still excellent. It is a still a crop sensor, so wide angle still isn't wide, but it is compatable with every lens that Canon makes and has made for 20 years.While it doesn't have video, it still has Live View for your tripod needs. It comes with other great tech, too. It has new algorithms for dealing with highlights and lowlights. If turned on, you are almost guaranteed to never lose that shot because it is blown out (almost. pointing at the sun, etc. will still blow it out). The 50D also can push the ISO up to 25600. It is decidedly grainy/pixelicous at that point, but at least you have the shot. It is excellent up to 1600, and still quite useable at 3200. The other Rebels all tend to start failing (i.e. getting badly pixelly) at around 800 ISO.The body is made of magnesium alloy, so it is tough and durable. Canon has improved ergonomics so it is easier to hold than the Rebels with their tiny grips.The biggest difference between this and the T1i is the lack of movie mode. The best difference is that it needs less electronic sharpening so your details come through more clearly. And the shutter is rated for 100,000 shots compared to the T1i's paltry 50,000.THe controls are similar to all Canon's professional/prosumer models and are intuitive and easy to get used to. The thumb wheel is very quick to change options.15 megapixels is way more than most people will ever need (8 is more than most people will ever need), and will blow up to 20x30 without noticeable pixels.All in all, if you don't feel like you need movies, this camera is among the best out there. I can think of nothing bad to say about it. It's a camera, not a camcorder! 11/09/2009
The Best I have just upgraded from the 20D to this new 50D Canon. I am very pleased with this camera. it is everything I expected it to be. I would purchase this camera again. It was easy to use has good weight and photos were very very good there is really no resemblance to the 20 D this camera is in a class by itself. 04/09/2009
In Love With Canon 50D This is my latest Canon camera having owned numerous film cameras, Power Shot G1, and Canon 10D. This is the finest camera I have ever owned. It takes beautiful pictures and is very easy to use. I have been practicing with it taking pictures of every thing I see: landscapes, flowers, animals, road signs, clouds, etc. The pictures are so beautiful, I hesitate to delete them from my hard drive even though they have little intrinsic value. This may be the last camera that I will ever have to buy! 06/17/2009