Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR Camera (incl. EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens Kit)

The ideal combination of speed, quality and flexibility
The Canon EOS 50D combines many of the technologies found in Canon's professional cameras making it the perfect choice for the advanced amateur wishing to take their photography to the next level, the semi-professional, or professional looking for a powerful back up model. 15.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor with 14-bit processing, 6.3 frames per second shooting and Canon's latest DIGIC 4 image processor provide unparalleled speed and resolution, all at an impressively affordable price point. The 3-inch Clear View LCD monitor with Live View and Face Detection Live AF Function mean it is incredibly easy to get great shots.

The new menu layout and ergonomic control dial makes using the EOS 50D a breeze. Click here for a larger image

High performance - low noise
The EOS 50D's 15.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor delivers ultra-detailed, low-noise images, which, because of their quality can be cropped or used to produce large-scale prints. 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.

The camera's DIGIC 4 processor works alongside the sensor to provide high-speed high ISO performance, from 3200, expandable to an ultra-sensitive 12800, so you can enjoy improved performance and remarkably low noise when shooting in low light without flash. This powerful latest generation technology gives smooth gradations and natural looking colours, as well as split-second startup times and near-instant image review after shooting.

With continuous shooting up to 6.3 fps and 3 auto focus modes, you'll never miss that shot again. Click here for a larger image

Fast and Focused
The EOS 50D enables continuous shooting up to 6.3 frames per second in bursts of up to 90 JPEGs with a UDMA card, or 16 14-bit RAW files. This, plus its wide-area Auto Focus (AF) system which uses nine separate focusing points to lock onto subjects fast, make it ideal for shooting sports and wildlife. As well as Manual Focus, the EOS 50D offers three auto-focus modes: One-Shot AF, ideal for static subjects such as portraits and landscapes; AI Servo, great for moving subjects and keeps following the subject with predictive tracking until you take the shot; and AI Focus, which switches from One Shot to Servo when movement is detected. The center, cross-type focus point operates flawlessly in lower-light and lower-contrast settings.

Live View Function
The EOS 50D has a 3-inch Clear View VGA LCD screen offering 160° viewing angle so it is easy to use even in bright daylight.

Switching to Live View Function enables you to view your subjects directly on the LCD monitor. It's easy to magnify any part of the scene 5x or 10x for precise manual focus. You can even choose a grid overlay, perfect for keeping vertical or horizontal lines in your composition straight. Live View Function can be used remotely via a computer through a USB connection, and the included EOS Utility software.

In Live View Function you can action three Auto Focus (AF) modes: Quick mode, Live Mode and Face Detection Live. Quick mode uses the camera's standard AF system and is great for capturing action or for shooting in low light. Live mode is a contrast-based AF system that reads the sharpness of subjects right from the imaging sensor, and can be overridden by pressing the AF mode selection button. The target area for Live Mode AF is at the center by default, but it can be moved around most of the picture area with the cross keys on the back of the camera. Face Detection Live optimises the focus based on the faces it detects in the frame, making it easy to capture fast spontaneous portraits.

Customising the Portrait Picture Style lets you shoot with confidence. Click here for a larger image

Choose your style
The EOS 50D allows you to change the look of your images by customising Picture Style settings for colour, saturation, sharpness and contrast, either in-camera or later with Canon's comprehensive software suite supplied. Six preset Picture Styles include Portrait, which provides a slightly sharp and crisp image with nice skin tones, Landscape, which emphasizes vivid blues and greens, and Monochrome to give you stunning black and white images. Canon also offers additional downloadable 'Picture Style Files' that can be installed into your camera for even more imaging options at your fingertips.

Unlock your creativity
The EOS 50D offers a choice of shooting modes. Basic Modes control all the settings for you allowing you to concentrate on great composition. These include; Full Auto, which allows you to use the camera to 'point and shoot'; Portrait, which ensures the background is out of focus and the foreground is pin sharp; Landscape, which sets a longer exposure and a smaller aperture to capture both the foreground and background in focus, Close-up which allows you to focus on very close objects; Sports, which uses a fast shutter speed to freeze action; and Night Portrait, which increases the ISO to make the camera more sensitive to light. You can also prevent the built-in flash from popping up using the Flash Off setting (handy for shooting in Museums and galleries).

Creative Auto Mode (CA) is a cross between the Basic and Program Modes allowing you to adjust the Flash, resolution, drive mode and Picture Style. You can set aperture and exposure via a slider that's adjusted with the Quick Control dial.

For more control over your images the EOS 50D offers a choice of five Program Modes:

The different modes allow you to control the look and feel of your images. Click here for a larger image

In Program AE Mode both the aperture and shutter speed are controlled by the camera but you can select other settings: With Drive Mode you can select from Single Shot, Continuous Shooting or Self-timer; Metering Mode allows you to specify the area of the image you wish the camera to use to calculate exposure; White Balance setting means you can determine what the camera reads as white to allow for your specific lighting conditions; and Flash Mode gives you control over your flash settings.

Aperture Priority AE Mode (Av) mode automatically sets the shutter speed, but allows you to control depth of field by letting you choose the aperture.

Shutter Priority AE Mode (Tv) automatically sets the aperture and you select the shutter speed enabling you to change the appearance of motion in your shots.

Manual mode allows you to control both aperture and shutter speed so you have total creative freedom with your shots - great for difficult lighting situations or capturing subjects with different effects.

A-DEP mode automatically sets your depth of field so you can be sure to capture as much or as little of the scene as you wish in focus.

All the Program Modes allow you to change your ISO speed. This is the measure of the sensor's sensitivity to light. Altering it allows you to modify the exposure accordingly and gives you more freedom to be creative with your shots in different lighting conditions.

Effortless operation
The EOS 50D's robust magnesium alloy body has environmental seals and is ergonomically designed for comfortable handling. It is compatible with SD and SDHC memory cards.

Professional Software
The EOS 50D allows you to shoot in RAW format and the Digital Photo Professional software which comes free with it enables high-speed RAW image processing, fast previewing for real-time image adjustment and support for sRGB, Adobe RGB and Wide Gamut RGB color spaces. Because it is CMS (Color Management System) compatible, Digital Photo Professional allows for easy image layout and printing in Adobe RGB in conjunction with Easy-PhotoPrint and PictBridge printers.

A world of advantages from Canon technology

Canon's CMOS Sensor & DIGIC 4 Processor combine to give execptional performance. Click here for a larger image

In-built genius
The CMOS sensor lies at the heart of the EOS system. Indeed, Canon is the only camera manufacturer to produce their own sensor and years of imaging experience are borne out by the results - a range of sensors designed to perfectly match the performance requirements of each specific EOS model and superb clean detailed images with minimum noise.

The CMOS sensor's larger pixel sizes mean wider dynamic range for greater contrast and detail in shadow and highlight areas and a low-pass filter in front of the sensor suppresses the false colour and moiré that can affect high resolution digital photography.

It is extremely powerful and efficient so not only does it improve battery life giving you more shots per charge, but it also enables fast transfer of data to the processor allowing you to keep shooting continuously.

Power in your hands
Canon's latest generation of DIGIC processor, the DIGIC 4, is the brain of the camera and is responsible for the superb responsiveness of all EOS models. Faster and more powerful than it's predecessor, the DIGIC 4 processor gives exceptional performance and low noise at higher ISO speeds.

In the instant between your shot being taken and its appearance on the LCD screen, Canon's cutting-edge DIGIC technology, which was originally developed for Canon's Professional range, is racing to optimise your image.

DIGIC processors are able to analyse ultra-detailed image data gathered by the camera sensor then use this to swiftly reproduce the subtlest of tonal graduations and an exceptionally wide colour range.

When shooting in darker conditions, even if you are pushing the ISO to the limit, DIGIC processing applies sophisticated Noise Reduction algorithms - helping to eliminate graininess and preserve detail. The speed of DIGIC also means less processing time for long battery life and fast start-up times.

With over 60 lenses to choose from you'll never be short of creative options. Click here for a larger image

EF & EF-S Lenses
Over 60 years of experience give Canon an inherent advantage when it comes to lens manufacture. EOS digital SLRs are backed up by the world's most comprehensive system of interchangeable lenses. From 15mm ultra wide angle to 800mm super telephoto, the 60+ lenses in the EF series cover all possible shooting requirements.

Canon lenses employ advanced optical expertise and micron-precision engineering to deliver unprecedented performance in all facets of the photographic process. Special optical technologies, such as aspherical, ultra-low dispersion, or fluorite elements are featured in the universally acclaimed L Series lenses. And Canon's Optical Image Stabiliser technology is featured in selected lenses to minimise the effect of camera shake.

Extend your lighting capabilities
Canon's extensive range of Speedlites can make it simple to get great results with your flash photography and can be used on or off camera to open up a range of creative possibilities. The Speedlite range is compatible with all EOS cameras and includes a choice of three standard models and two models for specialist macro use.

The self cleaning unit combats dust using ultrasonic vibrations. Click here for a larger image

EOS Integrated Cleaning System
This is not a stand-alone feature but a built-in system to minimize the effect of dust in high-resolution digital images - particularly appreciated by those photographers who need to change lenses frequently and in dusty environments.

Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit - A key element of minimising dust is preventing it from clinging to the front surface of the imaging sensor. To combat against this EOS cameras feature a Canon-designed Self Cleaning Sensor Unit. The low-pass filter at the front of the sensor shakes off dust automatically with ultrasonic vibrations, removing dust from the sensor assembly. A collar positioned around the sensor then collects the loosened dust. In addition to this a special coating on the front surface of the low-pass filter actually causes it to repel dust.

Dust Delete Data Detection - Any dust that still remains on the front of the sensor can be erased with software included in Digital Photo Professional software. A simple test shot of a plain, white object can be taken, using a menu setting. This Dust Delete Data image is analysed in-camera, and the location and size of any remaining dust is added to any subsequent pictures taken. This data is transmitted along with the image, whether JPEG or RAW, and can be either manually or automatically erased. This added software option ensures the cleanest possible image, perfect for printing or archiving.