| I've had the Camera 500D for about almost | | | | A lot of pre-production reviews of the Camera |
| week now and after some extensive use, here | | | | 500D criticize its inability to automatically |
| are my thoughts: | | | | autofocus while recording. I wouldn't put much |
| 1. 15.1 megapixel sensor. Yes, the high megapixel | | | | weight in this criticism, mostly because neither of |
| count is impressive, but keep in mind that, as you | | | | the other two SLR cameras with HD recording |
| approach higher resolutions, you need to ensure | | | | capabilities (Canon 5D Mark II and Nikon D90) can |
| the lens on the SLR can resolve that much detail. | | | | automatically autofocus while recording either. |
| Sadly, the included 18-55mm IS lens is functional, | | | | What you can do with the Camera 500D is pan |
| but the high resolution really shows the so-so | | | | zoom the lens and then press the AE lock (*) |
| quality of the lens. Even if taken at the proper | | | | button to make the camera autofocus on the |
| focus, pictures can appear soft with this kit lens. | | | | new subject (all while recording). A problem with |
| Shots I have taken with Canon EF-S 17-85mm | | | | using the AE lock button to have the camera |
| and EF 70-200mm L lenses are crisp. I don't have | | | | autofocus is that the microphone for the camera |
| any gripes on image quality. There are some | | | | is on the front upper left of the body near the |
| issues with noise on the higher ISOs that don't | | | | lens mount. Therefore, the lens motor noise is |
| seem to show up on the Nikon digitals, but overall, | | | | picked up just as much as ambient sounds. Even |
| the quality is amazing for the price. Skin tones, | | | | with my quietest Canon USM (ultasonic motor) |
| textures, colors are reproduced very accurately. | | | | lenses, this lens motor sound is pretty loud in |
| 2. Digic 4. The Digic 4 processor appears to | | | | video playback. Although, remember, you can |
| process/save the 15 megapixel images in the | | | | always manually turn the focusing ring on the lens |
| same time (if not faster) than the Digic III | | | | to get your subject back into focus. It's not easy, |
| processor on the XSi (even in RAW+Jpg mode). I | | | | but after a little practice, it's not all too hard, |
| have also noticed that at higher ISOs, the sensor | | | | either. |
| and the Digic 4 produce images with less overall | | | | Ultimately, you shouldn't let the HD recording |
| noise compared with its predecessors. | | | | limitations sway you one way or the other. This is |
| 3. LCD. The 920,000 pixel LCD screen is large (3"), | | | | an SLR camera -- not a video camera. The HD |
| crisp, vibrant and fully visible even in bright sunlight. | | | | video is a great feature, but if you're looking for |
| In comparison, the Canon XSi SLR (which the | | | | something primarily to take video, look elsewhere. |
| Camera 500D replaces), also has a 3" LCD, but | | | | There are much better, cheaper VIDEO cameras |
| with 230,000 pixels. The viewing angle is great as | | | | out there which can record true 1080p. |
| well and the LCD can easily be seen nearly 180 | | | | 8. Record button. For some reason, the record |
| degrees around. | | | | video button is next to the LCD screen (the |
| 4. ISO 12800. Canon and Amazon are correctly | | | | same button used for direct printing). The first |
| identifying that the Camera 500D maxes out at | | | | few times you take video, you'll intuitively find |
| ISO 3200. Some less reputable dealers are listing | | | | yourself using the shutter release button used to |
| an ISO 12800, which you should disregard. The | | | | take pictures. The reason for this switch is that |
| ISO 6400 and 12800 settings are expanded ISO | | | | you can take a still picture while recording video, |
| settings. The pictures taken on these two | | | | although, doing so will interrupt the recording. |
| settings are ISO 3200 images pushed to ISO | | | | 9. Battery life. My first fully charged battery only |
| 6400 or 12800 by the Digic 4 chip before saving | | | | lasted about 250 shots (no flash), but all charges |
| to the memory card. These pictures are | | | | since have given me in the range of 500-700 |
| extremely grainy and contain a lot of noise to the | | | | shots per charge. I'm guessing the first charge |
| point of only being usable as for snapshots or | | | | had such a short life because I spent quite a bit |
| adding an artistic effect to certain compositions. | | | | of time learning the camera, its menus, and |
| 5. Penta-mirror. That Canon is still using one in the | | | | settings. |
| Camera 500D is disappointing. The penta-mirror | | | | 10. Live View. I honestly can't review this as I |
| viewfinder image is functional, but still noticeably | | | | haven't used it too much yet -- I prefer using the |
| darker than that of the penta-prism viewfinder in | | | | viewfinder. One feature I can say is nice is that, |
| the Nikon D90 (which is the Camera 500D's main | | | | on the LCD, you can digitally zoom in (up to 10x) |
| competitor). I really would have preferred if | | | | on a section of your shot to ensure it is properly |
| Canon had kept the XSi's 12.2 megapixel sensor, | | | | focused. This, and the fine focusing, can really help |
| forgone 1080p video altogether, and maybe | | | | if you're into macro-photography. |
| upped the cost of the camera slightly to cover | | | | 11. HDMI cable. The Camera 500D has an HDMI |
| the production cost of using a penta-prism in the | | | | Type C output on the body to allow you to |
| Camera 500D. Honestly, unless you are massively | | | | directly display pictures and video on an HDTV. A |
| cropping your images, or creating large photos, | | | | minor criticism is that the HDMI Type C cable is |
| the difference between 12.2 and 15.1 megapixels | | | | not included in the box. You have to buy it |
| really is negligible. | | | | separately. It would have been nice if it were |
| 6. Size. This is the same body as the XSi, and | | | | included, as it's not an expensive cable. |
| therefore a bit on the smaller side compared to | | | | Conclusion. The Camera 500D is a bit on the light |
| other digital SLRs. I have small hands, so the | | | | end, yet the construction still feels solid. For the |
| Camera 500D is comfortable for me. If you have | | | | camera's price point, you'd be hard pressed to |
| big hands, I can see this being a very difficult | | | | find any digital SLR out there which gives you all |
| camera to use over an extended period of time. | | | | the capabilities and growth range of the Canon |
| If you haven't handled a Canon XT, XTi or XSi, I | | | | Camera 500D. The camera is intuitive enough for |
| would suggest you go to a store and hold the | | | | those new to photography to pick and learn |
| Camera 500D yourself before purchasing it online. | | | | easily, yet configurable enough for advanced |
| (I will upload a picture of the Camera 500D in my | | | | amateurs. If video is not a big deal for you, then |
| hands to the user gallery for a size reference.) | | | | get the Canon XSi. |
| | | | There is very little the Camera 500D has (other |
| 7. HD Video. Yes, the Canon marketing | | | | than ISO 3200 and a sharper screen) that the XSi |
| department made a horrible marketing decision | | | | doesn't. Plus, with the release of the Camera |
| and pushed the Camera 500D onto shelves | | | | 500D, you can probably pick up a used XSi for a |
| limiting the 1080p recording to 20fps (frames per | | | | great price on eBay. My wife recently gave birth, |
| second). Recognize this as a marketing gimmick | | | | and I'm not looking to record endless (never to |
| that allows them put a 1080p sticker on the | | | | be watched) tapes of video footage of our son, |
| camera box. The 1080p @ 20fps is fine most | | | | but I do want several minute clips of him as he |
| times, but seems a choppy if you have a lot of | | | | grows through the years. I've always been more |
| action in the frame or are panning quickly. The | | | | inclined towards photography, so this camera |
| Camera 500D's 720p video is recorded at 30fps | | | | gives me a very versatile digital SLR that I need |
| and is clean, smooth, and sufficient for all but the | | | | with the wonderful capability of recording HD |
| most discerning consumers. One major criticism | | | | video that I want. |
| though is that the sound is recorded in mono, | | | | Check for Best Price Now!... |
| AND there is NO input for an external microphone. | | | | |