Capture the Perfect Shot with the Canon EOS 500D DSLR Camera: A Comprehensive Review

The Canon EOS 500D is a top-rated DSLR camera that offers impressive features for both photography and videography. In this blog post, we will explore the key features of the camera, its technical specs, performance, and overall user experience. We'll also provide helpful tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your Canon EOS 500D.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Canon EOS 500D article cover photo

Key Features

Jun 08 2009

Announced

15 megapixels

Resolution

BrandCanon
Sensor TypeAPS-C
SensorCMOS
Weight520g
MSRP$799USD

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Overview of the EOS 500D

Are you in the market for a new DSLR camera? Look no further than the Canon EOS 500D. This camera is equipped with a host of features that allow for stunning photography and videography. With a resolution of 15.1 megapixels, 1080p full HD video recording, and a 3.0-inch LCD screen, the Canon EOS 500D has quickly become a popular choice among amateur and professional photographers alike. In this blog post, we'll delve into all there is to know about this powerful camera and how it can help you capture the perfect shot. Let's get started!

Canon EOS 500D Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Canon EOS 500D camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High-resolution images
Excellent image quality in low light
Large 3-inch LCD screen
Fast autofocus system
Good battery life
advanced manual and semi-automatic modes
compatibility with a wide range of lenses
HD video recording capabilities

Cons

No touch screen
No built-in Wi-Fi connectivity
relatively low burst shooting rate
No built-in image stabilization
Average live view performance
outdated autofocus system compared to newer models
slightly heavier than some other DSLR cameras
Expensive compared to some entry-level models

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Canon EOS 500D

Weather sealed
Dimensions129 x 98 x 62mm
Weight520g
Thickness62mm
Weight
Min
Avg
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Max
Thickness
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Canon EOS 500D is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderOptical (pentamirror)
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution920k dots
Body typeCompact SLR

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 920k dots. This makes the Canon EOS 500D not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

EOS 500D includes a optical (pentamirror) viewfinder with no electronic viewfinder of resolution with a coverage of 95% and a magnification of 0.55x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Canon EOS 500D has a 15MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 15 pixels. Canon EOS 500D has a native ISO range of 100 - 3200 which can be boosted to null - 12800. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Jun 08 2009

Announced

100 - 3200

ISO Range

SensorAPS-C
Extended ISOnull - 12800
Max resolution4752 x 3168 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

63 / 102

Color Depth

21.7 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

11.5 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

663 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Canon EOS 500D camera has above average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the EOS 500D is below average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: APS-C

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC
Battery Life440 shots
Battery ModelLP-E5
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Canon EOS 500D supports SD/SDHC with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Canon EOS 500D uses the LP-E5 model of battery pack. This is rated for 440 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Canon EOS 500D has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Canon EOS 500D boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Canon EOS 500D includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 9 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Canon EOS 500D?

The Canon EOS 500D features a CMOS sensor

Is the Canon EOS 500D weather sealed?

No the EOS 500D does not have weather sealing.

When was the Canon EOS 500D announced?

The Canon EOS 500D was announced on Jun 08 2009

Does the Canon EOS 500D have in-body image stabilization?

No the EOS 500D does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Canon EOS 500D?

The EOS 500D has a native ISO range of 100-3200, which can be expanded to ISO null-12800 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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