50D Overview Feature Comparison Press Release
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EOS 40D compared to other Canon SLRs

EOS 40D vs Other Canon SLRs

The chart below compares the 50D with its predecessors, the 40D and 30D. What we've done below is presented something of a hybrid comparison between these three models. A red cell means that a given camera performs below the other two, a green cell means that it performs better than the other two, and a yellow cell means it falls between the other two. In cases where two cameras share a superior capability, both cells will be colored green.

EOS 50D vs Predecessors
Manufacturer
Canon
 Canon Canon
Model
EOS 30D
EOS 40D EOS 50D
Imaging
System
Sensor Manufacturer
 Canon Canon Canon
Sensor Type
 CMOS CMOS CMOS
Color Filter Array
 RGB RGB RGB
Total Megapixels
8.5
 10.5 15.5
Effective Megapixels
 8.25 10.1 15.1
Effective Sensor Size (mm)
22.5 x 15.0
 22.2 x 14.8 22.3 x 14.9
Focal Length Multiplier (approx.)
1.6x
 1.6x 1.6x
Image Processor
DIGIC II
 DIGIC III DIGIC 4
Viewfinder
Type
Eye-level pentaprism
 Eye-level pentaprism Eye-level pentaprism
Coverage
95%
 95% 95%
Magnification (-1 diopter with 50mm lens at infinity)
0.9x
 0.95x 0.95x
Eyepoint (mm)
20
 22 22
Dioptric Adjustment Range (diopters)
-3.0 to +1.0
 -3.0 to +1.0 -3.0 to +1.0
Focusing Screen
Fixed, precision matte screen
 Interchangeable,
Standard screen: EF-A precision matte screen very similar to 30D
Optional EF-D screen: precision matte with grid lines
Optional EF-S screen: Super precision matte
(superior manual focusing with fast lenses, f/1.8 ~ f/2.8)		 Interchangeable,
Standard screen: EF-A precision matte screen very similar to 30D
Optional EF-D screen: precision matte with grid lines
Optional EF-S screen: Super precision matte
(superior manual focusing with fast lenses, f/1.8 ~ f/2.8)
Viewfinder
Info Display
AF (AF points, focus confirmation light), exposure (shutter speed, aperture value, manual exposure, AE lock, exposure compensation amount, AEB level, partial metering area), flash (flash ready, red-eye reduction lamp on, high-speed sync, FE lock, flash exposure compensation amount), warnings (exposure warning, improper FE lock warning, CF card full warning, CF card error warning, no CF card warning, busy), maximum burst for continuous shooting, shots remaining, ISO sensitivity
 AF (AF points, focus confirmation light), exposure (shutter speed, aperture value, manual exposure, AE lock, exposure compensation amount, AEB level, partial metering area), flash (flash ready, red-eye reduction lamp on, high-speed sync, FE lock, flash exposure compensation amount), warnings (exposure warning, improper FE lock warning, CF card full warning, CF card error warning, no CF card warning, busy), maximum burst for continuous shooting (2 digits), shots remaining, ISO sensitivity (ISO always displayed), B&W mode AF (AF points, focus confirmation light), exposure (shutter speed, aperture value, manual exposure, AE lock, exposure compensation amount, AEB level, partial metering area), flash (flash ready, red-eye reduction lamp on, high-speed sync, FE lock, flash exposure compensation amount), warnings (exposure warning, improper FE lock warning, CF card full warning, CF card error warning, no CF card warning, busy), maximum burst for continuous shooting, shots remaining, ISO sensitivity (ISO always displayed), B&W mode, Highlight Tone Priority mode
Depth of Field Preview
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
 Enabled with depth-of-field preview button Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
Recording
System
Recording Media / Quantity / Slot Type
Type I or II CF card
 Type I or II CF card Type I or II CF card,
UDMA supported
Compatible File System
FAT 16 / FAT 32
 FAT 16 / FAT 32 FAT 16 / FAT 32
Recording Formats
RAW (CR2), JPEG
 RAW, sRAW (CR2); JPEG RAW, sRAW1/2 (CR2); JPEG
A/D conversion
 12-bit 14-bit 14-bit
Highlight Tone Priority Mode
No
 Yes Yes
Maximum Resolution
 3,504 x 2,336 3,888 x 2,592 4,752 x 3,168
Reduced Resolutions
2,544 x 1,696;
1,752 x 1,168
 2,816 x 1,880;
1,936 x 1,288;
1,936 x 1,288 (sRAW)		 3,456 x 2,304;
2,352 x 1,568;
3,267 x 2,178 (sRAW1);
2,376 x 1,584 (sRAW2)
RAW + JPEG Recording
Yes, selectable JPEG resolution / compression
 Yes, selectable JPEG resolution / compression Yes, selectable JPEG resolution / compression
Processing Parameters,
Color Space
&
White Balance
User-Selectable Color Space
Yes
sRGB + Adobe RGB
 Yes
sRGB + Adobe RGB		 Yes
sRGB + Adobe RGB
Processing Parameters
(Contrast, Sharpness, Saturation, Color Tone) / # of Increments
8 options for sharpness, 9 options for contrast, saturation, and color tone. 

6 Picture styles (Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome), plus 3 user defined
 8 options for sharpness, 9 options for contrast, saturation, and color tone. 

6 Picture styles (Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome), plus 3 user defined		 8 options for sharpness, 9 options for contrast, saturation, and color tone. 

6 Picture styles (Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome), plus 3 user defined
Preset WB settings
6 (Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash)
 6 (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash) 6 (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash)
Manual Color Temperature Setting Range
2,800 ~ 10,000K
2,500 ~ 10,000K 2,500 ~ 10,000K
WB Adjustment Range
+/-9 steps in 1-step increments
5 mireds per step
 Amber-Blue correction, in
+/-9 steps;
Magenta-Green correction,
in +/-9 steps;
Set on graph on LCD monitor,
Both types of correction can be combined		 Amber-Blue correction,
in +/-9 steps;
Magenta-Green correction,
in +/-9 steps;
Set on graph on LCD monitor,
Both types of correction can be combined
Autofocus
System
Type
TTL-CT-SIR with a CMOS sensor
(TTL secondary image registration, phase detection)
 TTL-CT-SIR with a CMOS sensor
(TTL secondary image registration, phase detection)		 TTL-CT-SIR with a CMOS sensor
(TTL secondary image registration, phase detection)
# of Focusing Points (Focusing Point Type)
9 points
(1 cross-type, 8 single-axis)
 9 points
(all cross-type)
Center is "hybrid" cross-type AF point		 9 points
(all cross-type)
Center is "hybrid" cross-type AF point
Superimposed Focus Point Display
 Yes Yes Yes
AF Working Range
EV -0.5 ~ 18
 EV -0.5 ~ 18 EV -0.5 ~ 18
AF-assist Beam
Yes, stroboscopic flash (Range: Approx. 4.0m / 13.1ft. at center, approx. 3.5m/11.5ft. off-center)
 Yes, stroboscopic flash / 13.1ft. at center, approx. 3.5m/11.5ft. off-center) Yes, stroboscopic flash / 13.1ft. at center, approx. 3.5m/11.5ft. off-center)
One-shot AF
Enabled in Portrait, Landscape, Close-up (Macro), Night Portrait, and A-DEP modes.
Selectable in Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual modes.
 Enabled in Portrait, Landscape, Close-up (Macro), Night Portrait, and A-DEP modes.
Selectable in Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual modes.		 Enabled in Portrait, Landscape, Close-up (Macro), Night Portrait, and A-DEP modes.
Selectable in Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual modes.
AI Servo (Tracking) AF
Enabled in Sports mode.
Selectable in Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual modes.
 Enabled in Sports mode.
Selectable in Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual modes.		 Enabled in Sports mode.
Selectable in Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual modes.
AI Focus AF
(auto selection of One-Shot or AI Servo AF)
Enabled in Full Auto and Flash Off modes.
Selectable in Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Manual modes.
 Enabled in Full Auto and Flash Off modes.
Selectable in Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Manual modes.		 Enabled in Full Auto, Creative Auto, and Flash Off modes.
Selectable in Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Manual modes.
AF
Micro Adjustment		 No No Yes, global or up to 20 individual lenses, +/- 20 steps
Exposure
Control
Shooting Modes
12 - Program AE (Full Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait, Flash Off, Program), Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Depth-of-field AE, Manual exposure, ETTL-II autoflash
 15 - Program AE, Aperture-priority (Av), Shutter-priority (Tv), Manual, Depth-of-field AE, Green Zone (Auto), Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Action, Night Portrait, Flash Off, 3 Custom Recall 15 - Program AE, Aperture-priority (Av), Shutter-priority (Tv), Manual, Depth-of-field AE, Green Zone (Auto), Creative Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Action, Night Portrait, Flash Off, 2 Custom Recall
Metering Zones
35
 35 35
Metering Modes
Evaluative (linked to any AF point), center weighted average,
9% partial,
3.5% spot
 Evaluative (linked to any AF point), center weighted average,
9% partial,
3.8% spot
 Evaluative (linked to any AF point), center weighted average,
9% partial,
3.8% spot
Metering System Working Range
EV 1 ~ 20
 EV 1 ~ 20 EV 1 ~ 20
ISO Range / Extended
100 ~ 1600 / 3200
 100 ~ 1600 / 3200 100 ~ 3200 / 6400, 12800
Exposure Compensation
± 2 EV in 1/2 or 1/3 EV increments
 ± 2 EV in 1/2 or 1/3 EV increments ± 2 EV in 1/2 or 1/3 EV increments
Automatic Exposure Bracketing
2 EV in 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps, 3 shots
 2 EV in 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps, 3 shots 2 EV in 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps, 4 EV offset, 3 shots
Shutter Speeds,
Frame Rate, Shutter Lag
Shutter Type
Mechanical, all speeds electronically controlled
 Mechanical, all speeds electronically controlled Mechanical, all speeds electronically controlled
Shutter Speed Range
1/8000 ~ 30 sec. (1/2 or 1/3EV increments) and bulb
 1/8000 ~ 30 sec. (1/2 or 1/3EV increments) and bulb 1/8000 ~ 30 sec. (1/2 or 1/3EV increments) and bulb
Maximum Frames Per Second / Buffer depth
5.0 fps
28 large/fine JPEG frames
 6.4 fps
>20 large/fine JPEG frames		 6.3 fps
>20 large/fine JPEG frames
Shutter lag, full AF (sec.)
0.245
 0.128 0.131
Shutter lag, prefocus (sec.)
0.068
 0.061 0.063
Flash
Built-in Flash / Guide Number at ISO 100.
Yes (13 meters / 43 feet)
 Yes (13 meters / 43 feet) Yes (13 meters / 43 feet)
Max flash x-sync speed. (sec.)
1/250
 1/250 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation
± 2EV in 1/2 or 1/3EV increments
 ± 2EV in 1/2 or 1/3EV increments ± 2EV in 1/2 or 1/3EV increments
Slow-sync flash
1st or 2nd curtain
 1st or 2nd curtain 1st or 2nd curtain
PC Sync Terminal
Yes
 Yes Yes
Playback
System
LCD Size / Pixel Count
2.5 in. LCD / 230,000 pixels
 3.0 in. LCD / 230,000 pixels 3.0 in. LCD / 920,000 pixels
Enlarged Playback / Scroll
1.5~10x in 15 steps / Yes
 1.5~10x in 15 steps / Yes 1.5~10x in 15 steps / Yes
LCD Monitor Brightness Adjustment Range
5 steps
 7 steps 7 steps
Automatic Rotation for Vertical Shots
Yes
 Yes Yes
Other Features
Live View mode
 No Yes; phase-detect AF Yes; phase-detect, contrast-detect, face detection AF, Optional grid, live histogram
Computer Connection
USB 2.0 High-Speed, PTP-compliant
 USB 2.0 High-Speed, PTP-compliant USB 2.0 High-Speed, PTP-compliant
Direct Printing (PictBridge-compliant printers)
Yes
 Yes Yes
HD Video Out No No Yes, mini HDMI
Menu Languages
12 (English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Japanese)
 18 (English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Portuguese, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Greek, Russian, Polish, Simplified/Traditional Chinese, Korean, Japanese) 25 (English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Portuguese, Finnish, Italian, Ukrainian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Greek, Russian, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Romanian, Turkish, Arabic, Thai, Simplified /Traditional Chinese, Korean, Japanese)
Camera Default Reset
Yes
 Yes Yes
Custom Functions (Quantity)
Yes (17)
 Yes (24) Yes (25)
Remote Control
N3-type remote control
 N3-type remote control N3-type remote control
Info LCD Panel / Illumination
Yes / Yes (dedicated button)
 Yes / Yes (dedicated button) Yes / Yes (dedicated button)
Ultrasonic sensor dust-removal function
No
 Yes Yes
Eye-start AF
No
 No No
Anti-Shake
(sensor shift)
No
 No No
Vignette correction
 No No Yes
Auto Lighting Optimization
 No No Yes, 4 levels
High ISONR
 Yes, On/Off Yes, On/Off Yes, 4 levels
Body Structure
Body Cover/Chassis
Magnesium Alloy /
Stainless Steel
 Magnesium Alloy /
Stainless Steel		 Magnesium Alloy /
Stainless Steel
Weather resistant
 No Yes Yes
Power System
Battery Compatibility
Main: BP-511 / BP-512
Backup: CR2025
 Main: BP-511A, BP-511, or BP-512
Backup: CR2016		 Main: BP-511A, BP-511, or BP-512
Backup: CR2016
Rated Shooting Capacity at 23°C/73°F
Canon Spec (50% Flash): 750
 Canon Spec (50% Flash): 800 CIPA (50% Flash):
640
Dimensions & Weight
Dimensions (WxHxD, mm)
144 x 105.5 x 73.5
 145.5 x 107.8 x 73.5 145.5 x 107.8 x 73.5
Weight (body only)
700 g / 24.5 oz.
 740 g / 26.1 oz. 730 g / 25.7 oz.
Operational
Environment
Operating Temperature Range
0 ~ 40°C / 32 ~ 104°F
 0 ~ 40°C / 32 ~ 104°F 0 ~ 40°C / 32 ~ 104°F
Operating Humidity Range
< 85%
 < 85% < 85%
Kit Lens
Focal length/aperture
-
 Optional EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Optional EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Lens Compatibility
Lens Mount / Compatibility
EF / All EOS lenses, plus EF-S lenses
 EF / All EOS lenses, plus EF-S lenses EF / All EOS lenses, plus EF-S lenses

 

 

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50D Overview Feature Comparison Press Release
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