Canon 50D Announced

[LM]

Someone on TalkPhotography came across this on the Canon website, but it was in Chinese, so he used an online translator to try and get what he could out of it.

Canon EOS 50D

A first look at the details of the new Canon EOS 50D

Earlier today (08/21/08) the Canon China website had a page describing a Canon EOS 50D camera. The URL of the page is http://www.canon.com.cn/products/cam...50d/index.html. Since this is an official Canon website, the information about the Canon EOS 50D seems to be real.

The page is no longer available, which suggests that it was posted in error.

My translation (via online resources - I don't speak Chinese!) of the EOS 50D page when it was visible seems to suggest the following:

The name is the Canon EOS 50D
A 15.1 MP CMOS sensor
A Canon Digic 4 processor (the translation says "digital video" processor, but I'm not sure I can trust the translation 100% and even if I can I don't know that calling it a "video" processor means anything)
Anti-shake feature built into the camera (hard to believe, but great if true). The translation I have is "Anti-Shake feature built-in camera, due to lower Shoudou the fuzzy images, taken more fun!". I'm not sure what "Shoudou" is! I suspect they are probably talking about an IS system, with the IS in the lens. I really do find it hard to believe that Canon would offer body based IS at this stage of the game.
Additional measures to eliminate dust on the sensor.
6.3 fps (3fps option)
35 metering zones with evaluative, spot, center weighted and partial metering.
9 cross type AF zones
14-bit A/D
Face Detection
Micro AF adjustment
920,000 pixel VGA LCD monitor
Basic ISO range from 100-3200, with 6400 and 12800 available via a custom function.
Live View
Magnesium alloy body
Shutter good for "10 million" cycles (I'm 100% sure this is a mistranslation, and is almost certainly 100,000. The position of decimal points get lost in translation sometimes).
That's about all for now. Stay tuned to this page and I'll update it if and when more information comes in. No word on price or availability of course. Since it seems to be aimed at the Nikon D300 as competition, my guess would be a price in the region of $1300 - $1500 (the D300 currently sells for around $1600). Availablity probably in the early fall (September/October) would be my guess.

UPDATE: Though the machine translation seems to be saying that IS is in the camera, I'm informed that a human translation says the stabilization is, in fact, in the lens.

Sure Sy will be interested.

A few have whispered about Canon launching this in September ish this year, as 40D's have been out sold by the D300, so it might be Canons retaliation. On the other hand, some have said it'll probably be launched next spring.

[simon justin nixon]

Wait to see how much the fuckers sell it for on the UK market

[Sy]

Fuck that I'll wait till they have been out for a few months and buy it with Canon cashback...or depending on it's launch date I'll pick it up from the states when I go over there, as long as the pound is somehow still strong against the dollar, which I doubt seeing as we are going into recession .

Still the spec looks promising even if it is a half cocked translation lol

[LM]

Might print it off and take it to the chippy tonight, meatpie & chips, translate this whilst your at it.

15.1MP sounds handy, allthough 12800 ISO? Noiiiiiiiiise me nowwwwwwwww.

[Sy]

Canon = On smack.

Near enough £1500 for the 50d with 17-85mm IS kit lens? WTF

http://www.canon.co.uk/about_us/news/consumer_releases/2008_news/new_eos_50d_dslr.asp

Oh and http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=3661&review=canon+50d

[LM]

It looks impressive, DIGIC 4 processor and 15.1MP, should produce some uber colour/realistically colour matched shots.

However, £1500?...mmmmmyeah, i'm glad I decided to get the 40D now and not wait until the 50D was released.

Apparently though, from what the talk on TP is, the new DIGIC 4 processor in it is going to clash with Sigma lenses for some reason? Not sure why, didn't get that far into reading it, but it's been being discussed.

[LM]

Official details.

Outstanding speed and resolution for the discerning photographer: The EOS 50D

Hi-res versions of product images can be downloaded from http://www.canon.co.uk/press_centre

Canon today strengthens its EOS range with the addition of a powerful new digital SLR: the EOS 50D. With a 15.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor, 6.3 frames per second shooting and Canon’s latest DIGIC 4 image processor, the EOS 50D delivers unparalleled speed and resolution at a price point that is unique in today’s market.

Outstanding, clean images
A newly designed 15.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor delivers ultra-detailed, low-noise images – ideal for large-scale reproduction or creative cropping. New manufacturing processes, plus redesigned photo diodes and microlenses, extend the light gathering capabilities of the sensor – allowing more pixels to be fitted on the CMOS sensor without compromising image quality. These changes ensure improved high ISO performance and low noise. High-speed, low light shooting is enabled by ISO levels of 3200, expandable to an ultra-sensitive 12800.

The EOS Integrated Cleaning System – including the improved Self Cleaning Sensor Unit with a new fluorine coating – increases protection of image quality by helping to reduce, repel and remove unwanted dust from the sensor. Stubborn particles can be removed automatically in post-production with Dust Delete Data and Canon’s included Digital Photo Professional software.

Rapid-fire performance
Canon’s new DIGIC 4 processor is fast enough to allow up to 6.3fps continuous shooting, in bursts of up to 90 JPEGs with a UDMA card. Used with Canon’s wide area AF system, which locks onto subjects with 9 individual cross type sensors, stunning action sequences can be captured – even in low-light conditions. This makes the EOS 50D particularly suited to sports and wildlife shooting.

DIGIC 4 works with the CMOS sensor to deliver 14-bit image processing, for smooth gradation and natural-looking colours – as well as ensuring ultra-fast startup times and near-instant image review after shooting.

See everything
A new 3.0” Clear View VGA LCD provides extra-large and wide angle-of-view image review, with plenty of clarity for accurate focus checks in playback. By switching to Live View mode – which displays a real-time image on the LCD – photographers can enjoy simplified shooting from awkward angles, or connect to a PC for remote shooting. Live Mode now offers three ways to auto focus: Quick AF, Live AF, and new Face Detection Live AF, which optimizes focus based on faces detected in the frame – for fast, spontaneous portraiture.

Control and ease
The famously intuitive EOS menu system includes a new Quick Control screen, for instant access to the most commonly-changed settings. A new Creative Auto mode offers automatic focus and exposure – while still allowing creative ‘tweaks’ to settings such as background sharpness.

“For advanced amateurs and semi-professionals – or professionals looking for a powerful backup model – the EOS 50D stands alone,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging, Europe. “No other camera in this price bracket offers a comparable combination of speed and image quality.”

Features at a glance:

• 15.1 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• 6.3fps continuous shooting, max. burst 90 JPEGs with UDMA card
• DIGIC 4 processor
• ISO 100-3200, expandable to 12800
• 9-point wide area AF
• 3.0” Clear View VGA LCD with Live View mode & Face Detection Live AF
• Magnesium alloy body, with environmental protection
• EOS Integrated Cleaning System
• HDMI connection for high quality viewing and playback on a High Definition TV
• Full compatibility with Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series Speedlites

Pricing & Availability:

The EOS 50D (body only) is available from end of September 2008 priced at £1199.99 / €1599.99 RRP inc. VAT.
The EOS 50D EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM kit is available from end of September 2008 priced at £1499.99 / €1949.99 RRP inc. VAT.

Looks identical to the 40, slightly lower FPS than it too, but looks like it's got some nice improvements.

Price tag's a bit silly though.

[Sy]

Canon 40D
Max. Approx. 6.5fps. (speed maintained for up to 75 images (JPEG), 17 images (RAW))

Canon 50D
Max. Approx. 6.3fps. (speed maintained for up to 90 images (JPEG) (with UDMA card), 16 images (RAW))

-.2fps but +15 in a burst. Kind of outweigh each other.

Although that said due to the price tag I'm looking more towards a 40D...will just have to see how things pan out with it really and what the reviews are like. Plus it's going to be atleast June next year that I'm considering this.

[LM]

Yeah, thought that myself, +15 shots would come in handy for those extra few bursts I should imagine.

Word is that, even though it says 'price £1200.00', it'll more than likely be around £950 ish.

[simon justin nixon]

That is an absolutely ridiculous price. People are going to back away from Canon if they are charging that much! £1500. Fucks sake!

[LM]

That's pritty much Canon 5D money, allthough a lot have said the 40D is better than the 5D in terms of autofocusing speed for sports etc, where as the 5D is more for portrait/studio work.

One thing that annoys me about mine, and it is just a minor niggle, you see the SET button on the back of the camera (middle of the rear scroll wheel), it's not fixed. It rotates, so now and then you notice that it's not straight, it's often upside down as it's turned slightly when you've pressed it. Wouldn't you have thought they'd have fixed it in place?

[djbolf]

i used a nikon d3 or something , iso6400 in a pitch black room, was amaaaaazing

fancy a 50d