Why I May Not Buy the Canon 50D.

After much speculation, it's finally here - the Canon 50D. According to Dave Etchells at Imaging-Resource.com, while the 40D was kind of an incremental upgrade from the 40D, the 50D takes it to the next level:

The Canon EOS 50D definitely kicks things up a couple of notches though, boosting resolution from 10.1 to 15.1 megapixels, doubling the maximum "standard" ISO to 6,400 and the maximum boosted ISO to 12,800, and dramatically upgrading the resolution of its LCD screen. Despite the 50% increase in pixel count though, the Canon 50D's new Digic IV processor manages to move the data fast enough to maintain a maximum continuous-mode frame rate of 6.3 frames/second, down only 0.2 fps from the speed of the 40D. With a high-speed UDMA-capable CompactFlash memory card, the Canon 50D's JPEG buffer capacity has also taken a nice step upward, from 75 to 90 large/fine JPEG images.

Despite the smaller pixels resulting from the 50% increase in pixel count on what's basically the same size sensor, the Canon 50D claims noticeably improved noise performance over that of the 40D, thanks to a combination of more efficient sensor cell layout, new "gapless" microlenses, and improved image processing, thanks to the faster Digic IV chip.

Zexy!

As someone who upgraded his 20D to a 30D and his 30D to a 40D, though, I have bad news for Canon...I'm holding off on the 50D. Why? Cause I'm waiting for the successor to the 5D, Canon's legendary full-frame DSLR for the enthusiast.

While the specs for the 50D look sweeeet, my strong feeling is that the day of the less-than-full-frame-sensor has passed. It can't be that much longer until full-frame DSLR's start moving into the $2,500 price range, at which point they become very compelling.

For the first time in a long time, I feel like I'm in a bit of analysis paralysis as a digital camera consumer. The choices are becoming very difficult...

Comments

[Erez]

Join the club :)

I must say that a $2500 camera isn't really consumer or even pro-sumer camera. It's a serious enthusiast photographer. The Nikon D700 is a $3000 camera, and to get the best you need to spend at least $1500 on a decent lens. For most people it's something they buy once every 10 years or so...

[Gavin]

I don't think the crop sensor's days are numbered. They serve a purpose, particularly for sport and wildlife photography. Cheaper FF is always a good thing, but just as there is a wide range of lenses for different tasks, I believe we'll see a range of bodies and sensors to also fill different needs. I only noticed this a few months ago when I picked up a second hand 5D to complement my current 20D. I wouldn't want to be without either, as they both have their place :)

[Joe]

I can certainly understand your hesitation, Scott, and it does seem that the 5D's successor has to be just around the corner (Photokina???). Nevertheless, the 50D is what I'd like to go with, particularly given the price point. If the Digic4 processor is as good at noise reduction as advertised, this is going to be a great low-light camera, which is perfect for my favorite pasttime -- photographing my children as they play their indoor, poorly lit sports.

[Scott Sherman]

Erez, I'd agree with you that $2,500 is the top of the prosumer price range, but I know enthusiasts bought the $5,000 Canon Mark III, so I do think it's a group that will open their wallets if the temptation is great enough.

Gavin, I see your point, but prices will continue to drop across the board, and what happens to the crop sensor cameras when you can get a full frame for $1,500? And is that more than two years away? If you buy a full frame camera, those lenses should be good for a very long time. A cropped APS lens? Not so much, I fear. And I probably have $3,000 in APS glass, so I say that with no glee.

That being said, Joe, the 50D looks good, although their claims for the Digic4 will have to be independently verified before I buy one.

I, personally, would have preferred a 10 or 12MP camera with *really* low noise to a 15MP camera that's jamming so many pixels onto that cropped sensor. Gimme 12,800 ISO and I'll buy two!

[Stacie C Morris]

I have to admit, I was going to buy the 50D. No matter what! But I have to wonder if it's really better than the 40D for the price. Since it's not due out until October, I have some time to save up and think about it. And the more I think about it, the more I want to move to the 5D successor.

[Michael GW Stein]

Scott,

The crop sensors are long from passing away. The fact that there is a micro 4/3 system being introduced confirms to me that there is a market for small DSLRs. Smaller sensors allow for smaller cameras with smaller lenses. I think the greater potential mass market for DSLRs will be the smaller lighter cameras.

People coming from point and shoots who want better image quality are more likely to opt for a small/light DSLR. Of course if the image quality of point and shoots would significantly improve, then that mass market would be happy sticking with the point and shoot. Give me a 6mp p+s with quality high iso performance! Who needs a 13mp p+s?

Anyway, the other indicator is that both Canon and Nikon are producing more and more lenses for the smaller sensors. There is no sign of a slowdown. In fact it would appear from the marketplace that every year the market is increasing for the small sensor DSLRs. Only the pros and enthusiasts like us care about sensor size. We are not the main market.

I have reasons I am not going to buy a 50D, but they have nothing to do with sensor size. I am sure it will be an outstanding camera.

--Michael

[Sebastian Kennerknecht]

Hey Scott,
my comments will not be as insightful as the others above, but just wanted to let you know that I am definitely looking to upgrade to the 50D.

I am currently shooting with the 30D and since most of the time my lens is aimed at an animal I prefer the crop sensor over the full frame. Plus as a 23 year old I will be able to barely afford a 50D, let a lone the 5D successor (so I will wait for its price to drop, hopefully around Christmas).

Love your show, very easy to listen to. Learn a lot from it and just love the authentic, human, real side of you guys. Michael and you make a great broadcast pair.
Do exactly what you are doing and your listener numbers will only increase.

Also checked out Laurel's site today. Let her know she is doing some amazing stuff. The pictures look very professional as does her site.

Alright, enough blabbering,
Sebastian

[Simon]

Scott, while I share your excitement about enthusiast-level, full-frame cameras, I have to agree with those who think there's a lot of life left in the cropped sensor format. The fact of the matter is that the cost of producing a full-frame sensor will always be higher than that of producing a cropped sensor, as will the accompanying mirror and prism. Likewise, lenses designed for crop sensors can be smaller and cheaper than their full-frame equivalents. Even if that cost difference is lowered to a couple hundred dollars, that's still all the difference that's needed in the consumer world.

Still, I think the days of a sub-$2000 full frame camera are very close (I think the 5D is actually there now, if you get a rebate), with sub $1500 and even sub $1000 probably on the eventual horizon. But those aren't going to compete with the sub-$500 consumer-grade cameras among the budget conscious.

[Jason]

I agree with your comment regarding cropped -frame sensors' days being numbered. I feel it is only a matter of time before sensor technology is cheap enough that all DSLRs will be full-frame. That is the reason I have one single EF-S lens -- the kit lens that came with my original D300 (Digital Rebel). When I got that camera I had a 50mm 1.4 and have only purchased more EF lenses since.

A while ago when I finally picked up a used 5D, I felt the decision to only invest in EF lenses turned out to be the right call for me. Now I'm just waiting for the 5D upgrade. :-)