Canon EOS 500D Review
By Koko Brown, September 2009
I was really excited about getting this wee camera and was delighted when I came home and found a big box sitting innocently on the stairs! Like a child at Christmas I ripped it open and found a gorgeous apparition of plastic and glass.
The Body
The Canon EOS 500D digital SLR camera is smaller than I am used to, but it does sit nicely in the hand. The grip is deep enough but I have quite small hands and I think anyone who struggles to get a medium sized glove on, might feel like they’re holding a toy camera. I charged the battery for about 4 hours then set about having a play with it. I went to get one of my CF cards from my other Canon, but was surprised to find out that it takes SD cards instead. I would have to go and buy a new memory card! Images can be downloaded using the mini USB cable or by removing the card and using an external card reader.
So, with my new memory card I was ready to shoot. I spent some time just around the house, mainly photographing my new kitten and flowers in the garden. This camera handles well and the large 3 inch screen is crystal clear with higher resolution than earlier models, which is clearly evident. It’s viewable even when the sun is at its brightest, thanks to its anti-glare coating.
LCD Screen & Viewfinder
The screen on the back of the Canon 500D can also be used for live view, which is great for composition – however the normal shutter button doesn’t work for this and you are required to push another smaller button near it – Live View. This was quite frustrating, mainly as the button is too small and your finger automatically goes for the shutter button. However if your not a professional photographer and plan to use it for holidays and family trips etc, then I really don’t see it being an issue. The viewfinder also has a dioptre to enable you to correct the vision, particularly useful for me as I wear glasses and hate shooting with them on!
Megapixels & Processor
Deep inside the body is a fantastic 15.1mp sensor with the latest DIGIC 4 processor. After shooting around the house I put my images into Photoshop and really zoomed in to scrutinise the image quality. The pixel detail really holds its own, even when I zoom in to 100%. Very little detail is lost. The one thing I have noticed though is that the images appear slightly soft straight from camera. This can be adjusted by changing the sharpening settings in the camera menu, but means it is probably not advisable to print straight from the camera if you want exceptionally sharp images. Simply change the setting in camera, or sharpen in Photoshop afterwards. Thanks to the DIGIC 4 processor the Canon EOS 500D handles large image formats extremely well in quick succession, 3.4 frames per second, for up to 9 RAW files or around 180 JPEGs! I counted the RAW frames but I lost count with the JPEGs! This brilliant processer also means images can be viewed pretty quickly after shooting. Images can be blown up quite successfully to A3 with absolutely no loss in detail, and with a resolution of 4752 x 3168 your images could be blown up to poster size with ease. Also useful if you need to crop part of an image and enlarge just that section.
Movie Mode
The Canon EOS 500D digital SLR also features HD Movie mode, which can be selected using the control dial found on the top of the body. The movie is displayed on the large LCD screen at the back and seems pretty good so far! I was disappointed by the focus until I realised that you can focus manually or through the auto focus modes in live view. To start recording you need to push the Live View button, and to stop also. A quirky feature that I did like is that even while recording a live video, by pressing the shutter button the camera will take a still image. Now that’s neat. Videos are saved in MOV format and can be played back on your home PC. There is a small microphone on the front of the camera, sound on play back is in mono and is average when playing back, but a nice feature to have.
Creative Modes
As with previous Canon models, the EOS 500D has a dial of creative shooting modes; Program mode (P) Shutter Priority TV, Aperture Priority AV and Manual mode. There are also a few extras for you to play about with; Aperture Dependant mode, A-Dep, will highlight the area in focus using the AF points, and also Creative Auto CA, which allows the same control over the image but in laymen’s terms. This is a great feature with certain benefits for new or inexperienced photographers.
Flash
As expected, the Canon EOS 500D camera has built in pop up flash which can be used by pushing the button to the left of the flash. Flash also pops up automatically when shooting in AUTO mode, meaning you don’t have to worry about underexposure. The flash was able to handle me shooting on the 18-55mm kit lens without any light drop off, but when I tried my 70mm lens, the flash doesn’t sit quite high enough to cover the entire focal length and there was a tiny bit of light drop off. Not a problem with shorter lenses however. By attaching a speedlite to the hot shoe, you can have more control over lighting and the camera handles this with ease. The only issue I had is that the camera is so light and small that the speedlite made it look even smaller and rather fragile feeling. Although I think this is more because I’m not used to such a lightweight camera! I noticed that the flash on the Canon 500D seemed less harsh than on previous models, instead giving a rather natural looking light across the subject – which I found particularly nice.
Lenses
The full range of Canons EF-S and EF lenses are compatible with the Canon 500D, giving you even more creative control over your photography. The possibilities are endless given the huge ranges of lenses Canon have on offer. My review model came with the Canon 18-55mm kit lens, but you can also choose the Canon 18-200mm lens kit with the body or the 500D with both the 18-55mm and 55-250mm lenses. If none of those combinations do it for you, the great compatibility of the Canon 500D means you can choose to get your body and lens separately. With my large 70mm lens the body did feel a bit unbalanced, but it was not altogether unmanageable.
Sensor
Once the camera is turned on, it cleans the sensor for you each and every time. Clever. This takes seconds and is done by vibrating the sensor to loosen any dust – rather clever. If you don’t want it to be cleaned every time, you can bypass it by pressing the shutter button on start up.
Focusing & Metering
The 9 autofocus points are set out in diamond formation around the centre and give a very good coverage of the viewfinder. The metering doesn’t disappoint, offering a choice of partial, evaluative, centre weighted and spot. Exposure compensation can be adjusted in the camera menu by a half stop or thirds, although the camera seems to get it pretty much “spot” on all of the time. There were a few instances of overexposure but nothing that exposure compensation couldn’t address.
Menu Functions
The impressive LCD screen on the back of the Canon 500D gives a clear and simple selection of the functions available. As soon as you put your eye to the view finder the LCD light turns off so as not to distract you with light. With 8 sections across the top; Adjustment, Playback, Shooting and My Menu. It’s quite easy to navigate and you can customise “My Menu” to feature the functions you use the most.
Image Formats & Quality
The Canon EOS 500D digital SLR will shoot on both RAW and JPEG formats, RAW giving more creative control in post production. As I said earlier, I did find that the images appeared slightly soft, but again this can be changed in the camera menu by adjusting the sharpness setting. I shot mostly in RAW and found the end results were crisp, sharp and clear.
ISO & Noise
I didn’t notice any problems with noise during normal shooting and it’s only when you go above ISO 800 that you see any noise creeping in. At the top – ISO 12800 – image quality does seriously start to deteriorate but I would only ever use this ISO if it was just too dark for there to be any other way of getting the shot.
Canon EOS 500D Conclusion
The Canon EOS 500D is a great step up from those who have been using smaller compact digital cameras. The greater creative control and the lightweight yet robust body combined with the HD movie features make it a great travelling camera without the need for a separate video camera.
For this review I initially started out by just pottering around the house, but the Canon EOS 500D more than handles the family occasions, birthdays, parties, summer BBQ’s etc; in fact it considers that just a walk in the park! I decided to take a chance and use the camera on a job for Fairtrade, along with my other Canon and I found myself using the 500D more, just because it’s so lightweight and easy to grab at a moments notice. I couldn’t put my bigger lens on it, so I left it for the other body, but it loved my Canon 50mm prime lens.
I then decided to do some street photography and headed to one of the roughest areas in Edinburgh for a bit of gritty black and white action. Shooting in RAW and then converting to black & white in photoshop, I produced some really stunning tones. With the camera being small yet robust, I found that I was confident carrying it about without attracting attention! The processor is so fast that when I need to snap an image then move on, I could do it with no messing about.
I would highly recommend this camera to those looking to step up from compacts and take the reigns of creative control – the Canon 500D more than delivers. The performance is pretty superb to be honest, my only gripe is that on live view the shutter button is defunct, but a minor thing in the scheme of what’s on offer from this stunning little image maker.
Ratings
Build: 8/10 – Great! Although some buttons feel cramped if you’re used to something bigger
Performance: 10/10 – Extremely fast, ready to capture anything
Handling: 10/10 – Excellent creative control
Image Quality: 9/10 – Always delivers but over-exposed a few times
Overall: 
(23 votes, average: 3.87 out of 5)
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Ideal, just what Ive been on the look out for – may be a good step up from the old prosumer model.
Looks like it converts to B&W pretty nicely.
Ry.
Ryan WilliamsBought this as a first DSLR and very impressed with the results.Went to sisters wedding and took numerous photos and believe it or not they were as good as if not better than the pro photographers.
joeHi Joe,
Glad to hear you had good results from the 500D at the wedding!
Oliverreally enjoyed reading this review by koko and bought the 500D after the review.
have used it for a few nights out and a few family occasions and it certainly beats the compact camera i was using before.
thanx for the advice
stuart wardlawWud this b a good investement for a student. im in my 1st year of a degree course and ideally want a canon system as thats wot the college uses so i can use thier lenses etc?
Gemma Harknessi luve that pic of the guy, its really good – hes cute!
Hi Gemma,
The 500D is a good choice for a student – it will be compatible with all the EF & EF-S lenses & flashguns if your college uses Canon.
There’s £50 cashback from Canon on the 500D at the moment too.
OliThanks Oli
Gem
Gemma HarknessI have just ordered the 500D as my first digital SLR, a friend has the 450D and I loved that but I found a really good deal for the 500 so it was a no brainer really. I cant wait to get it and start using it. thanks for the great review, I trawled the web for reviews but they were all very boring and often confusing unless you are seriously into digital photography. This however was really direct and to the point and fair so I’ll be using this site a lot more from now on……
come on postman, hurry up and deliver my new toy!!!
DarrenHi i am looking for a Delkin snap on pop up shade for a Canon Eos 500d don’t seem to be able to find one…………surely there must be one somewhere……………..hope you can help me in time for xmas
Mrs J Kewardthankyou
J Keward Mrs
Hi Mrs Keward – I’ve just asked our purchasing team and they’ve found out the dedicated 500D shade will be available from Delkin in early January.
OliHi,
Can anyone advise me what a good wide angle lense would be for my 500D? I have about a £500 budget but would be good if I didnt spend all of that. Also can anyone recommend a good allround lense (if there is such a thing) I will be mostly taking landscape and portrait photos.
Thanks
Darren
DarrenHi Darren,
A popular wide-angle lens for landscapes is the Sigma 10-20mm – it costs around £390 and is equivalent to 16-32mm on a 35mm film camera.
A good standard lens for portraits is the Canon 50mm f1.8 which provides excellent image quality.
If you’d prefer a standard zoom for walk-abouts & general photography then take a look at the new Canon 18-135mm lens. It’s covers a wide range of focal lengths and has Image Stabilisation (IS) to reduce blur from camera shake.
OliThanks Oli. I’ll try and test the recommended lenses this weekend. Appreciate the quick response
DarrenI have recently purchased this great Canon Camera slr 500d
R.Forbesand would like to have a case to protect the camera whilst over my shoulder.
I do have the large camera bag which is not suitable for ease of use.
R.Forbes
Hi Mr. Forbes,
Canon make a semi-hard case (EH19-L) which is a perfect fit. Alternatively the Lowepro Apex 140 AW is a small shoulder bag that will fit the 500D + kit lens.
OliI’ve just purchased the 500D. How can I take Black and White photos? I set the dial to M and the photos come out very overexposed part b/w and part color. What am I doing wrong? Thank you.
kevin jorgensenHi Kevin,
In the picture style options you need to use the ‘Monochrome’ setting to get B&W photos straight out of the camera. You can still keep the camera in modes other than M for assistance with the exposure (it sounds like you’re getting part b&w / colour due to extreme exposures). Try ‘P’ for program or ‘Av’ for aperture-priority to begin with.
OliI have recentley purchased a cannon 500D i would be obliged if you could advise on a telephoto / zoom lens for wild life photography for when i am fishing to be used without a tripod.
Regards
Steve
steveThanks Oli,
kevin jorgensenMuch appreciated.
Kevin Jorgensen.
Hi,
kevin jorgensenOne final question. The flash keeps popping up on my 500d on auto in sunlight. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Kevin Jorgensen.
Hi Oli, I’m new to Digital SLR photography and have never even picked up an SLR of any description before! I want to take up wildlife photography as a hobby, please would you recommend a suitable camera and lenses that I will need to get me started. Maybe a body and two lenses to begin with. My budget is £1000 but idealy I would like some change from that. I would like a camera body which is futureproof as I become more competent and lenses which I can add as I progress. Many thanks, Andy.
Andy HarveyI was brought this as a Christmas present from my partner after deliberating over the EOS since the old 35mmSLR days. I had owned a 35mm Canon AE1 program and then went digtial with the simple, but nicely styled Fuji range. I produced some great family and holiday snaps, but something was lacking (the ISO range and lens changes of the AE1 perhaps?). Now with the EOS 500d I have my ‘mojo back’ (as Cheryl Cole so elequantly puts it)! This is a fab camera, so easy to grasp if youre a DSLR newee, like me and I, like Koko (review), started inside the home taking snaps of my cat who love the fuss. On the floor and close up the auto focus, I managed to pick up every hair and whisker on puss and she posed some beautiful shots! Using the zoom, I managed to get shots of the cats face and took advantage of the depth of field to fade the Xmas tree into the background. Not rocket science, but the results were outstanding. Tonight, I used the EOS to capture the night sky, which was full of reds, purples and flame orange, relying on the auto focus to do the work. Again the results were a set of superb pictures, with the true colour and sharpness, well worth putting onto canvas. They looked incredible on our 24″ computer screen and I keep reminding myself I actually took these, relying on the camera and the auto focus lens to do the hard work. These postive results boosted my confidence to try the manual settings. This time I wanted to obtain some quirky pics of my house, from some unusual angles playing with the light and shadows. Yet again the 500d makes it so easy using the super sharp LCD and menu buttons. From taking the pics, to loading up from the SD, its so easy; plus the charge from the battery is still going since Xmas day.
SharneyThe one and only complaint is the lens cap which tends to drop off when I ease the camera out of its bag. Other than that I would say go for it, this camera does exactly as you would expect from a DSLR, in an easy to use format. It’s a real breath fo fresh air from the fixed lens digital camera, this camera lets your imagination run wild. If you have £600 to spare then I would certainly say the Canon 500d is a great camera to start and progress with. Just wish I had got it ages ago! I am already scouting around for a 200-300mm zoom….
@ Andy Harvey,
If you’re planning to photograph small birds & animals you’ll need at least a 300mm lens (preferably 500mm). Here are some options:
1. Canon EOS 500D Kit (£599 – £50 cashback) + Canon 70-300mm IS USM Lens (£415). Final cost = £964
2. Nikon D5000 Kit (£529 – £50 cashback) + Nikon 70-300mm VR lens (£429.99). Final cost £908.99.
3. Olympus E-620 Kit (£593.99) + Olympus 70-300mm lens (£326.99 – £25 cashback) – equivalent to 600mm because of the 2x crop factor on Four Thirds DSLRs. Final cost £895.98.
Options 1 & 2 may be a bit short of reach (equivalent to 480mm and 450mm respectively) – if you can stretch your budget (or save on the camera body, D3000 or 450D) then the Sigma 150-500mm lens would be a great choice.
Oli@ Steve,
The Canon 70-300mm IS USM lens would suit your 500D whilst fishing. It has image stabilisation (IS) to counteract camera shake which can blur images.
A good value option would be the Canon 55-250mm IS lens – the optical quality is slightly lower and it has less ‘reach’, but the image stabilisation is still included. There’s no UltraSonic Motor (USM) found in the 70-300mm, so the autofocus is slightly slower & louder.
OliThanks for the advice Oli. Could I go for Option 1 and buy a x2 Canon converter? Would this result in loss of picture quality?
Andy HarveyHi Andy,
The Canon 2x teleconverter isn’t compatible with the 70-300mm IS lens (we have a teleconverter chart here). Kenko make 2x teleconverter that would fit, however the picture quality would suffer, as you mentioned.
If possible I’d aim for one lens with more reach, rather than a lens + teleconverter combination (doesn’t work on a budget – teleconverters are useful for fast aperture pro lenses).
Another lens option is the Sigma 120-400mm lens (slightly less reach than the 150-500mm, but £100 less).
OliHello!
Is it a good idea to combine an ef 70-200mm L f4 lens with 500d? I’m currenty shooting with 50mm f1.8.
Apart from build quality and extra other facility BASICALLY is eos 50D’s sharpness differ from the 500D? well, i do not need the high brust speed or larger view finder and all other things concers….my main point is to get equivelent sharpness of 50D(as they have identical image sensor and I heard from someone saying about identical image quality).
Regards
NabilNabil
Hi Nabil,
The absolute image quality potential of the 500D & 50D will be almost identical – although the sensor may be the same, other elements like the low-pass filter covering the sensor may be slightly cheaper on the 500D. The lens in use will make the biggest difference…
The 70-200mm f4L is a superb lens optically, so it’ll be very sharp on the 500D with good technique (as always
). Here’s a good review of the EF 70-200mm f4L.
OliHi Oli
SteveI’ve purchased a 500D and I am thrilled with it. It is my first DSLR and I am bowled over by the quality of photos I have taken. I bought the package with the 18-50mm kit lens, of which I attach and detatch when not in use. My question is, would you recommend leaving a lens fitted to the camera even when not in use, or do you think it’s better practice removing the lens and attaching the lens coveres etc. The reason I ask this question is I feel that every time the lens is removed, it increases the chances of dust etc entering the body of the camera
All my camera equipment is secured in a top end Canon shoulder bag, when not in use.
Thanks in advance
Steve
Steve – I’d leave the kit lens attached all the time, unless you’re planning to use a different lens. Less switching will reduce dust problems & the front lens cap will protect your lens.
Enjoy!
OliIve been reading about circular polorising filters and can see their benefit. Apologies if this sounds stupid, but does this filter (or could this filter) stay in place all the times, or just when taking certain shots?
SteveI am a complete beginner at photography and need some advice badly! I have been looking at this camera for a while and the Nikon d5000. What do you suggest? I am hopefully going to be using the camera for landscape and sports so recommendations for camera packages and additional lenses would be much appreciated. Thanks
Darren BaxterSteve – whilst shooting landscapes on a bright day, many photographers do leave a circular polariser in place. You’ll need to remove the filter when light levels drop (unless you have a tripod) or when it’s time to head indoors. This is because a circular polariser does prevent some light from reaching the sensor, so you have to expose the image for longer (usually 3-4 f-stops).
Darren – the 500D & D5000 are both very capable cameras so it’s down to personal preference really (layout of the controls, menus). If you can, try both cameras out before you buy (we have a showroom in Norwich where you can get hands-on with cameras & lenses).
OliI had a Canon 500D for Christmas and I’m considering buying a Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Standard Lens but I can’t find any write up about this lens. Is it suitable for everyday use? eg: Portraits, Landscapes etc.
NigelI am wanting to renew my current DSLR, a Sony a100. There is nothing wrong with that camera and it has served me well. I am an experienced photographer and have use SLR equipment for some 36 years. My current kit is the camera, the 70-300 zoom and the top of the range Sony flashgun. I realise that if I change systems then I will need to change the zoom and the superb flashgun.
David SmithI have been looking at the Nikon D5000 and the Canon 500D, both brilliant cameras but still entry level. I also looked at the Nikon D90 but am worried that it is over specced for me. Any advice would be welcome. New system or do I go for the Sony a550 and retain my extra lens and flash. I would then be able to buy a fast standard lens.
Picture preferences are travel, landscapes, family and a long holiday in California this Summer with lots of walking and hiking so the Canon 50D is just too big.
Any advice isn’t just welcome, it’s essential.
Hi David,
There is something to be said for sticking with the same system – familiar menus & layout of the controls, alongside keeping your 70-300mm lens + flashgun.
If you’re considering the A550 then the new Sony A450 may also be of interest (still offers 14 megapixels, similar controls). There’s a Sony Alpha comparison chart here.
OliI want to buy an lcd screen protector. I`m also considering a lens hood but want to know which is a good general purpose hood. The camera is a Canon 500d and has the 18/55 and 55/250 IS Lens` any advice to help me decide my options will be appreciated.
Tom GoreHi Oli,
I am about to make my last purchase, age has a lot to do with it!! Being old and lazy, my idea is Camera plus just the one Lens; Camera spread is either the Canon 50D, or Nikon D90. The 50D is rather heavy I have gathered! So would the 500D be a better choice, as I propose to get the required Battery Grips to go along with them. Lens wise I have in mind the recent Tamron AF 18-270mm F/3.
5-6.3 VC LD(IF) in either the Canon or Nikon fit. Being a bit of a Dimbo, would appreciate any help you may give me on the matter. I will be using them in or around Cornwall chasing Seagulls and Rock Climbers, so may be open to a little abuse and knocks, hence the long reach. Advice is need before I give up and spend my savings on Wine, Wimmen, and Wasting it. DOB is in my e-mail address.
Best Regards. Dave.
Dave MullinsHi, I am about to use the excuse of making a hash of cleaning the sensor and mirror etc in my 350D to upgrade. Wanted the 7D but cannot justify I dont think so the 550D seems the ideal. I take mainly wildlife during long walks, and hopefully from ,my new toy, a chair hide. Any comments/opinions to change my mind on the upgrade? (Has to be Canon cos of the lenses, 100-400. 70-200, 100 macro)
MarkThanks
Mark
Hmm, this is a tricky one. The 550D is a superb camera that more than matches the 7D in many aspects. However, the 7D does have some plus points over the 550D. It has dual DIGIC 4 processors (the 550D only has 1) which give the 7D a frame rate of 8 per second – twice that of the 550D. The superior AF system in the 7D also offers faster focussing, and the weather-proofing means the 7D will survive more easily in the great outdoors than the 550D. Now, none of these features may be important, depending on what your area of photography is, but as you have indicated that wildlife is your chosen subject, it has to be said that the 7D’s advantages make it a definite favourite. Of course, the price difference can’t be ignored, and if you are happy to sacrifice these few features for a considerable financial saving, then the 550D is a superb camera and well worth considering.
BenCracking review, well written for the everyday family photographer! Birthday soon so I think I might have to treat myself and upgrade from the 450D, been on the hunt for something similar and would really like to stick with Canon because of lenses. Will my older Canon lenses work with this?
Ben
Ben PrestonHi Ben,
95% will – what exact lenses have you got?
Thanks
Rachel (author)any ideas iwant a fisheye lens for a canon eos
mike o.sullivan