- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How it compares
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Canon EOS 500D
- 15.1 MP
- APS-C CMOS
- 3" LCD
#2 in Thinnest Canon DSLRs
Released March, 2009
Rated 74% by by DPReview (Jun, 2009)The 720P/30fps mode offers a smaller video size but smoother motion, and is therefore more suitable for filming fast moving subjects or panning.
Conclusion Check out the Canon EOS 500D
First reviewed December, 2011
Features Key features of the Canon EOS 500D
15.1 MP
APS-C
Rated 74% by by DPReview (Jun, 2009)Below you'll find some examples of videos taken with the 500D for you to download and draw your own conclusions.
megapixels
| 0 MP | 12 MP    | 20 MP |
EOS 500D by DPReview (Aug, 2009)It's undoubtably superior to the DT 18-70mm F3.5-5.6 lens it replaces, maintaining image quality across the frame to match the demands of modern high resolution sensors in a far more convincing fashion.
EOS 500D by DPReview (Aug, 2009)At base ISO the differences between these two cameras are fairly marginal but at 100% magnification the EOS 500D reveals slightly better per-pixel detail which, in combination with the Canon's extra megapixel or so of sensor resolution, results in the rendition of a small but visible amount of additional image detail.
sensor size
EOS 500D by DPReview (Aug, 2009)Due to the Quick-AF live view's additional sensor in the prism the A380 comes with the smallest viewfinder we've ever seen on an APS-C camera.
EOS 500D by DPReview (Jun, 2009)The 500D becomes the second Canon to offer this feature, and the first with an APS-C size sensor.
viewfinder size
EOS 500D by TrustedReviews (Dec, 2011)The viewfinder has a good wide range of dioptric correction for those of us who wear glasses, and a soft removable rubber cushion.
EOS 500D by DPReview (Jun, 2009)As a result, the 450D was able to bulk up its feature set to include a selection of features that price-conscious shoppers don't necessarily realize they want, such as a larger viewfinder and spot metering.
body size
129 x 98 x 62 mm
106 x 61 x 33 mm
133 x 100 x 80 mm
EOS 500D by DPReview (Aug, 2009)It's moderately sized and lightweight and therefore, in combination with the very lightweight kit lens, an ideal 'take-anywhere' DSLR.
EOS 500D by DPReview (Jun, 2009)Having said that the battery still lasts for a couple of days' heavy shooting (though we didn't use live view or flash much).
focus points
| 0 | 11  | 20 |
EOS 500D by DPReview (Aug, 2009)Where the camera shines though is in live view operation where, due to the dedicated live view sensor, it delivers significantly faster live view AF speeds than the competition which allows you to use the camera in a 'compact camera' style and benefit from DSLR AF speeds at the same time.
EOS 500D by DPReview (Aug, 2009)This works perfectly well - focus is generally fast, reasonably quiet, and accurate - and there's no obvious performance penalty compared to the screw-drive system of the old 18-70mm.
Performance Real world tests of Canon EOS 500D
DxOMark image quality
EOS 500D by DPReview (Aug, 2009)There is also a slight difference in color rendition and saturation but again most current entry-level DSLRs are very similar in that respect.
DxOMark low light performance
EOS 500D by TrustedReviews (Dec, 2011)The 50D was praised for its excellent image quality especially in low light, so this certainly bodes well for the 500D's performance.
shutter lag
| 0 ms | 283 ms  | 200 ms |
EOS 500D by TrustedReviews (Dec, 2011)In single shot mode it can take a picture just as fast as you can press the button, with virtually zero shutter lag.
EOS 500D by DPReview (Jun, 2009)There is no discernible shutter lag and a very quick mirror return giving a very short viewfinder blackout.
continuous shooting
EOS 500D by DPReview (Jun, 2009)While continuous shooting is very slightly slower then on the 450D (3.4 vs 3.5 fps) buffering has been improved so that you can now shoot a burst of eleven RAW images before the frame rate starts dropping.
battery life
400 photos
800 photos
230 photos
EOS 500D by DPReview (Aug, 2009)Battery life is quoted as 500 shots (CIPA standard) using the optical viewfinder and 230 shots when live view is used.
EOS 500D by DPReview (Jun, 2009)The battery delivers a little less punch than on the predecessor with quoted CIPA test battery down by approximately 100 shots.
Our analysis How does it stack up against its top 10 competitors
pros
-
HD video -
Generic -
Gives you more flexibility when framing your shot -
159 ms -
300 ms -
Opaque -
62 mm -
129 x 98 x 62 mm -
520 g
cons
-
63.0 -
Mar, 2009 -
12,800 ISO -
3.4 fps -
HD video -
None -
21.7 bits -
None -
1 -
The screen is fixed in place -
No automatic HDR -
11.5 ev -
663 ISO -
15.1 MP -
95% -
400 -
Won't have that film look -
Use buttons to access features and menus -
No automatic 3D -
You'll have to protect your camera from the elements -
0.54x -
No automatic stitching -
1/4000 s
Reviews Word on the street
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 | Rated by 580 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by Roy-Meier (Jul, 2010) Rated 100% by by Dawn-R.-Schultz (Dec, 2010) |
Sensor
Canon EOS 500D | Rated 74% by by DPReview (Jun, 2009)Overall at base ISO the EOS 500D produces pretty impressive output that makes good use of the camera's 15.1 megapixels, and is surprisingly even better than what we saw from the EOS 50D in our review a few months back.
Canon EOS 500D | Rated 74% by by DPReview (Jun, 2009)In fact, while the Nikon arguably produces the cleanest high ISO RAW image in this test, the 450D follows very closely in its tailwind.
Canon EOS 500D | Rated 59% by by DPReview (Aug, 2009)While the out-of-camera JPEGs are only marginally softer than the D5000's when shooting in RAW Nikon offers visibly better per-pixel sharpness and, despite its lower nominal resolution, more than catches up with the Sony in terms of image detail.
Image quality
Canon EOS 500D | Rated 90% by by TrustedReviews (Dec, 2011)Build quality, handling and performance are as good as ever, and image quality is at least equal to anything in its class.
Canon EOS 500D | Rated 59% by by DPReview (Aug, 2009)The color rendition is remarkably similar as well.
Canon EOS 500D | Rated 59% by by DPReview (Aug, 2009)The Nikon arguably applies the most pleasing compromise between noise reduction and detail in this comparison, closely followed by the Canon and Olympus.
Lens
Canon EOS 500D | Rated 90% by by Photography Blog (May, 2009)Additionally, they provide the 'A-DEP' (Automatic Depth of Field) function that gives a wider depth of field between a near and far subject.
Canon EOS 500D | Rated 90% by by Photography Blog (May, 2009)Like most entry- and mid-level DSLRs the EOS 500D provides a number of auto shooting modes aimed at beginners, including portrait, landscape, close-up, sports and night portrait and flash off choices.
Canon EOS 500D | Rated 74% by by DPReview (Jun, 2009)Unfortunately you can't control aperture manually, but this is still much better than anything you would get from a digital compact camera.
Iso
Canon EOS 500D | Rated 74% by by DPReview (Jun, 2009)The difference in detail between an out-of-camera JPEG at base ISO and a carefully sharpened RAW conversion is comparatively small as well.
Canon EOS 500D | Rated 90% by by TrustedReviews (Dec, 2011)It has manually adjustable high ISO and long exposure noise control, as well as options such as mirror lock-up, selectable exposure level increments and ISO range expansion.
Canon EOS 500D | Rated 74% by by DPReview (Jun, 2009)It is advisable to have at least the basic level of information displayed for movie recording, as this gives the user feedback on the aperture, shutter speed and ISO being selected by the camera.
Screen
Canon EOS 500D | Rated 90% by by TrustedReviews (Dec, 2011)The monitor itself is outstanding, clear and bright with minimal glare or reflection, a viewing angle of close to 180 degrees in every direction, and with a resolution of 920,000 dots it's as sharp as anything else on the market.
Canon EOS 500D | Rated 59% by by DPReview (Aug, 2009)The Sony's live-view AF is fast and holding the camera away from your eye in live-view mode is more comfortable, especially when you tilt the screen up and hold the camera in a lower position, almost like a waist-level viewfinder on a medium-format camera.
Canon EOS 500D | Rated 74% by by DPReview (Jun, 2009)The 500D receives the Quick Control menu we first saw on the 50D, an interactive version of the existing settings display screen, bringing it into line with most other entry-level DSLRs.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Nikon D3100 Best image quality as rated by DXOMark Nikon D3100 vs Canon EOS 500D |
 | 2 | Canon EOS 1100D Fastest to start up 1100D vs 500D |
 | 3 | Canon Rebel T4i Good benchmarked shot to shot times Rebel T4i vs EOS 500D |
 | 4 | Canon EOS 600D 2-way tie: OK dynamic range 600D vs 500D |
 | 5 | Nikon D3000 Largest sensor Nikon D3000 vs Canon EOS 500D |
 | 6 | Canon EOS 700D Newest 700D vs 500D |
 | 7 | Canon PowerShot SX240 HS OK contrast-detection focus points PowerShot SX240 HS vs EOS 500D |
New duel?
Let the battle continue or dare to compare.
Editions Editions of the Canon Kiss Digital X3 / T1i / 500D
| Price | Edition | Model | Continents | Phase detection focus points | Compare | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | | T1i | North America | 9 | | ||||
 | | Kiss Digital X3 | Asia | 0 | | ||||
 | | 500D | Europe | 9 | | ||||
Popular Questions
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Answers May 12, 2012
Portrait, skate/Bmx ridding.
In 40D I love the body construction Metal and I like heavy cameras! Other thing I appreciate is the 6fps shoot, like the monitor on top of the camera and the program chooser on the left. In I...
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Answers April 19, 2012
Video and just general photos
Begginer. looking to use it for making action sport edits and taking sporty photos.
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Answers June 26, 2012
Which camera is right for me?
I read the comparisons and I love the way you guys laid everything out! But I'm still stomped haha. I'm somewhat of an amateur, but not a beginner. I take photos with my iPhone and my JCV but...
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Answers Community Find out what the Sortable community is saying about the Canon EOS 500D
6
people have recommended the
Canon EOS 500DTop Canon EOS 500D experts at Sortable
Canon EOS 550D
- 17.9 MP
- APS-C CMOS
- 3" LCD
3 more Sortable users recommended the 550D over the 500D.
View all discussions | View comparison 
Beginner II
0
votes If you have $600 buy the 500D. If you have $710 buy the 550D. Neither will disappoint with regard to image quality.
- 0 comments
- June 20, 2012
- Reply to: Video and just general photos
Nikon D3100
- 14.2 MP
- APS-C CMOS
- 3" LCD
1 more Sortable user recommendeds the Nikon D3100 over the Canon EOS 500D.
View all discussions | View comparison Beginner II
1
vote The 500D is good for beginners, but also good for more advanced users. The bottom range of Nikons are more the equivalent of the EOS 1000D, EOS 1100D. The beginner Nikons are really just for and...
- 1 comment
- June 17, 2012
- Reply to: Taking photos in low light
Canon EOS 40D
- 10.1 MP
- APS-C CMOS
- 3" LCD
2 more Sortable users recommended the 40D over the 500D.
View all discussions | View comparison Beginner II
-1
votes Out of the 500D and 40D, if image quality is important, buy the 500D. The 15MP sensor in the 500D (and in the 50D) is superior in all aspects to the 10MP sensor in the 40D (and the image quality,...
- 0 comments
- June 17, 2012
- Reply to: Portrait, skate/Bmx ridding.
