Canon has today strengthened its EOS range with the addition of a powerful new digital SLR for advanced amateurs and semi-professionals: the EOS 50D. With a 15.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor, 6.3 frames per second shooting capability and Canon’s latest DIGIC 4 image processor, the EOS 50D delivers a combination of superb high-ISO performance, shooting flexibility and image quality without any compromise.

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 gapless micro lenses, 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 that are 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 start-up 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 autofocus: Quick AF, Live AF, and new Face Detection Live AF, which optimises focus based on the faces detected in the frame – for fast and 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.”

A new lens has been announced today in conjunction with the EOS 50D: The EF-S18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, with an equivalent focal length of 29-320mm, offers an 11x zoom range, close focusing distance of 45cm and a 4-stop optical Image Stabilizer.