Amateur Photographer Magazine

Skip to Content

The world's number one weekly photography magazine

 Canon EOS 500D review - Features

Wednesday 12th August 2009

Angela Nicholson


Canon EOS 500D at a glance:

  • 15.1 million effective pixels
  • Live View on 3in, 920,000-dot LCD screen
  • 1080p (Full HD) video recording
  • Sensitivity range expandable from ISO 100-12,800
  • Street price approx £759

Scores:

Tested as: Entry-level DSLR
Rated: Very good
Overall score: 83%

Canon EOS 500D - Introduction


It's getting quite tricky to determine who some cameras are aimed at, and Canon's EOS 500D is one of the most difficult.

It has a very similar body to the EOS 450D, which, until the introduction of the EOS 1000D, was Canon's entry-level model. However, it also has many features in common with the high-end enthusiast-centric EOS 50D, not least its pixel count of 15.1 million, maximum sensitivity setting (ISO 12,800) and Quick Control Screen.

The latter, which allows most image parameters to be set via a display on the camera's rear screen, seems more appropriate in an entry-level model than it does on a camera that is bristling with dials and aimed more squarely at experienced photographers. In addition, the EOS 500D is Canon's second DSLR to have video capture capability, the first being the full-frame semi-professional-level EOS 5D Mark II.

This wealth of features, and its recommended retail price of £869.99 body only, makes the EOS 500D seem more like a DSLR for enthusiasts who want a smaller camera body for easier transportation. Yet some people will be concerned that the camera's diminutive body may hamper its handling, and wonder whether the newly designed CMOS sensor can deliver the image quality they demand.

Canon EOS 500D Features

Canon appears to have melded aspects from the EOS 5D Mark II and EOS 50D into the shell of the EOS 450D to make the EOS 500D.

Canon EOS 500D Sensor


However, though the new camera has the same Digic 4 processor and 15.1 million effective pixel count as the EOS 50D, it has a new sensor.

Interestingly, though the amount of circuitry between the photosites has been reduced to allow space to make the diodes larger, the micro-lenses above them are not gapless as they are on the EOS 50D's sensor.

Hopefully, the increased light-gathering capability of the photodiodes and the anticipated cleaner signal won't be outweighed by the change in the micro-lens coverage.

Canon must be pretty confident, as the EOS 500D's sensitivity may be expanded from its standard ISO 100-3200 to include ISO 6400 and 12,800. The lowest sensitivity setting is ISO 100.

Canon EOS 500D Video capture


The EOS 500D is Canon's first DSLR with an APS-C-sized sensor to feature video capture. While this may not immediately grab the attention of most enthusiasts, it is a feature that those who started photography with compact cameras and camera phones may find more enticing.

By all accounts the video technology in Canon's EOS 5D Mark II has been very popular with budding movie makers, and the results are very good. The EOS 500D, however, isn't quite as capable. Though it can record movies at the same 1080p (Full HD) resolution, it can only do so at 20fps rather than 30fps.

Alternatively, it is possible to record 720p footage at 30fps. While this may be sufficient for those wishing to record the odd moment of footage, it may not impress more serious video photographers.

Canon EOS 500D Creative Auto (CA) exposure mode


Novices who want to take more control over their images and expand their understanding of photography will love the creative auto (CA) exposure mode.

This allows users to adjust the aperture and exposure compensation using sliding scales that represent depth of field and brightness on the LCD. It basically handholds the user in aperture priority mode.

More experienced photographers will be pleased to know that the regular aperture priority mode is also available, along with shutter priority, manual and a clutch of scene-based automatic modes.

Canon EOS 500D Specification


All things considered, the EOS 500D offers a pretty comprehensive specification that will suit many enthusiasts. The 3.4fps maximum continuous shooting rate, which I found continues beyond the claimed burst depth of 170 large fine-quality JPEGs (or nine raw files), should satisfy all but the more serious sports photographers, while macro, landscape and still-life photographers will be happy with the 3in, 920,000-dot LCD screen that makes using Live View easier.


The JPEG file has plenty of detail and is very close to the simultaneously captured raw file. While the raw file required an application of Unsharp Mask to get it looking right, the JPEG file (taken at the default sharpness setting) is better without additional sharpening

Canon 500d Features: Score - 7/10

Next page: Build and handling


Canon EOS 500d review pages:


Got an opinion on this story? Why not post a comment on our message boards

Back to index