Canon 50D PDF User Manual
Did you lose or misplace the instruction manual that came with your Canon EOS 50D? It happens all too easily, but fortunately Canon makes a soft copy available that you can browse through online, print out, or download (see the pdf file below). It is certainly good practice to carefully familiarize oneself with the many different functionalities and options that the 50D offers, and the official user manual is without doubt an authoritative and comprehensive source of respective information.
That said, the instruction booklet can be a dry read, so that a dedicated camera guide book from a professional photographer that illustrates the camera's core functions in a real life photography context can be a very helpful complement. Yes, getting one of these camera guides (see here at amazon) would involve an additional expense, but if that book helps to exploit the camera's potential to the full, the (small) additional investment may well be worth it.
Also, you might want to check out the video tutorial on the Canon EOS 50D below.
In any case, the 50D is an advanced imaging tool, whose many features merit serious attention. This DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera was officially introduced on August 26th, 2008, which means that, as of today, the camera is 5873 days old (young?). The camera has meanwhile been discontinued and was succeeded by the Canon 60D as a replacement in the same line of cameras.
Canon's instruction manual for the 50D
The camera's instruction manual is 228 pages long. The pdf version is embedded below. As you browse through, you will hopefully find the information you are looking for. You can also print out a hard copy by right clicking on the manual and then choosing the respective menu option. For convenience, a summary of the key specs of the 50D is included towards the bottom of this webpage.
Don't forget to bookmark this page for future reference (Ctrl-Shift-D on a Windows PC; Cmd-Shift-D on a Mac). Happy browsing!
Click on the button below to download the pdf version of the Canon EOS 50D manual to your computer. The file will open in a new browser window.
If you prefer to read the user guide in another language, please check the respective availability on Canon's support site. That site also provides complementary online resources, such as information on the compatibility of various camera accessories or the availability of firmware updates that are not necessarily comprehensively covered in the instruction manual.
Printed, hardcopy versions of the Canon 50D manual can sometimes be found online. You can check the availability on amazon and ebay via the buttons below.
Video tutorial for the Canon EOS 50D
Perhaps instead of reading through a manual or operations guide, you might prefer to better familiarize yourself with your 50D by watching a video tutorial. It can notably help to quickly get to know the key functions and to set up your camera according to your particular preferences and needs.
Once again, the Canon 50D is a sophisticated imaging tool and not exploiting its capabilities to the full would be a pity. Hence, taking the time to study online information material or to read through a well-written camera guide book is highly recommended to make the most of your purchase.
Canon 50D FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the 50D.
What technology is the imaging sensor in the Canon 50D based on?
The camera is build around a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.
Which image processing chip is used in the Canon 50D to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?
Canon equipped the 50D with the DIGIC 4 image processor.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Canon 50D?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200.
What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Canon EOS 50D?
Canon mentions a shutter rating of 100 000 actuations for the 50D. This number represents a Mean Time before Failure, that is an average value. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust the expected shutter life of the 50D over, say, three years, one would have to take about 100 pictures each and every day.
How do I find the shutter count on my Canon 50D?
Canon embeds the number of shutter actuations in the camera firmware. You can check the number of shots that your 50D has taken up to now by using a third-party app, as described on the Canon 50D shutter count page.
Does the Canon 50D feature an autofocus assist light?
Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.
What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Canon 50D for flash photography?
The 50D's flash sync speed is 1/250 sec.
Which battery does the Canon 50D use?
The camera gets its power from the Canon BP-511A (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.
Is there a vertical grip available for the Canon 50D?
Yes, Canon offers the BG-E2N as an optional accessory to facilitate shooting in portrait orientation and to provide additional battery power.
Further reading
How does the 50D stack up against available alternatives? If you would like to see a side-by-side review with another camera, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.
- Canon 250D vs Sony A9 II
- Canon 50D vs Canon G5 X
- Canon 50D vs Leica X-U Typ 113
- Canon 50D vs Nikon D5500
- Canon 50D vs Panasonic G7
- Canon 50D vs Panasonic L10
- Canon 50D vs Sony RX100 VI
- Canon 5D Mark II vs Sony A9 II
- Fujifilm X-Pro3 vs Sony A9 II
- Fujifilm X-T1 vs Sony A9 II
- Sony A7R IVA vs Sony A9 II
- Sony A9 II vs Sony RX100 VI
Core camera specifications
Here is a list of the main features and technical characteristics of the Canon EOS 50D.
Camera Model | Canon 50D | |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Digital single lens reflex | |
Camera Lens | Canon EF mount lenses | |
Launch Date | August 2008 | |
Launch Price | USD 1 299 | |
Sensor Specs | ||
Sensor Technology | CMOS | |
Sensor Format | APS-C Sensor | |
Sensor Size | 22.3 x 14.9 mm | |
Sensor Area | 332 mm2 | |
Sensor Diagonal | 26.8 mm | |
Crop Factor | 1.6x | |
Sensor Resolution | 15.1 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 4 752 x 3 168 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 4.69 μm | |
Pixel Density | 4.53 MP/cm2 | |
Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | |
Movie Capability | no Video | |
ISO Setting | 100 - 3 200 ISO | |
ISO Boost | 100 - 12 800 ISO | |
Image Processor | DIGIC 4 | |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 63 | |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 21.8 | |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 11.4 | |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 696 | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Optical viewfinder | |
Viewfinder Field of View | 95% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.59x | |
Top-Level Screen | Control Panel | |
LCD Framing | Live View | |
LCD Size | 3.0 inch | |
LCD Resolution | 920k dots | |
LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | |
Touch Input | No touchscreen | |
Shooting Specs | ||
Focus System | Phase-detect AF | |
Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000s | |
Continuous Shooting | 6.3 shutter flaps/s | |
Shutter Life Expectancy | 100 000 actuations | |
Silent Shooting | no E-Shutter | |
Time Lapse Photography | no Intervalometer | |
Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | |
Storage Medium | CF cards | |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | Hotshoe | |
Studio Flash | PC Sync socket | |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
HDMI Port | mini HDMI | |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | |
Body Specs | ||
Environmental Sealing | Weathersealed body | |
Battery Type | Canon BP-511A power pack | |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 800 shots per charge | |
Body Dimensions |
146 x 108 x 74 mm (5.7 x 4.3 x 2.9 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 822 g (29.0 oz) |
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