Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR:High ISO Image Samples

Doubts as to whether the 15 megapixels tightly packed on the Canon EOS 50D’s APS-C sensor might contribute to noise problems, especially at higher ISO, should be somewhat eased, based on these impressive image samples.

The image samples at 1600 ISO are perfectly usable. Noise management is excellent and detail is well preserved. ISO 3200 still looks good, but the noise grain is becoming less subtle, and hot pixels are creeping in. ISO 12800 is surprisingly good, but once again the 50D is showing some banding problems at this ISO. This may be beyond what DIGIC IV is capable of, or it might just be the pre production firmware…time will tell. The 50D isn’t the D3, but it is a step up from the 40D, and an encouraging sign as to what to expect from upcoming Canon cameras the G10 and the 5D successor

I just want to note, that in the latest generation of DSLR cameras 1600 is the new 400. It is simply astounding how much high ISO performance has come in one generation of cameras.

The 50D is available for order at the following:
Canon EOS 50D at B & H for $1399.95
Canon EOS 50D at Adorama for $1399
Canon EOS 50D at Amazon for $1399.95

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1. 

   Eolake Stobblehouse says:

   September 14, 2008 at 4:39 pm

   Yes, very nice. Seems about in league with the D90.

   reply
2. 

   Patrick says:

   September 14, 2008 at 4:43 pm

   I don’t think it is as good, but it’s close, was just looking at some samples of both. But there is a terrible banding at those really high ISO,(on the 50D) that is hopefully firmware addressable…

   reply
3. 

   Eolake Stobblehouse says:

   September 14, 2008 at 5:29 pm

   I found out with the D90 that using the non-noise-reduced files and handling them on the computer with noise reduction software makes for much better quality. Something similar might happen with the 50D files.

   Funny, I was just thinking the same: 1600 ISO is the new 400. Which was the new 100, though that cycle took much longer.

   I had a D2x, and 800 ISO was near unusable.

   reply