PWMar 28, 2022

Canon 500D Comparison Review

The Canon EOS 500D (called Canon T1i in some regions) is a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera that was officially introduced in March 2009 and is equipped with an APS-C sensor. It offers a resolution of 15.1 megapixel.

Is the Canon 500D a good camera? The 500D has a Camera Elo of 1301. This rating puts the 500D below average of all digital single lens reflex cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (APS cameras), the 500D also ranks below average. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 2.5-star performance rating. – Well, the Canon 500D is more than 13 years old, and there have been many other good digital
cameras released since 2009.

Headline Specifications

Canon 500D

Digital single lens reflex

Canon EF mount lenses

15.1 MP, APS-C Sensor

1080/20p Video

ISO 100 – 6 400 (100 – 12 800)

Optical viewfinder

3.0 LCD, 920k dots

Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)

3.4 shutter flaps per second

400 shots per battery charge

129 x 98 x 62 mm, 520 g

Read on to find out more about the camera’s size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers,
and how it compares to other digital cameras.

Body comparison with a credit card

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size of the Canon 500D vis-à-vis a credit card. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Canon 500D alongside
a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular
camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and
choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Canon 500D was launched in the US market at a price of $799. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available.
Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting
and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be
found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Canon 500D features an APS-C sensor and has a format factor
(sometimes also referred to as “crop factor”) of 1.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Canon 500D among the medium-sized sensor cameras
that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

For most cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth (“DXO Portrait”), dynamic range (“DXO Landscape”), and low-light sensitivity (“DXO Sports”) of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of alternatives.

Sensor Characteristics

 
 
Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall

1.

 

Canon 500D APS-C 15.1 4752 31681080/20p21.711.5663632.

 

Canon 750D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.712.0919713.

 

Canon 760D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.612.0915704.

 

Canon 1200D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.3724635.

 

Canon G1 X Mark II 1.5-inch 13.0 4160 31201080/30p21.510.8581586.

 

Canon 700D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.2681617.

 

Canon 650D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.2722628.

 

Canon G1 X 1.5-inch 14.2 4352 32641080/24p21.710.8644609.

 

Canon 600D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.57936510.

 

Canon 550D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.57846611.

 

Canon 450D APS-C 12.2 4272 2848none21.910.869261

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The 500D indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the 500D can use is 1080/20p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the 500D has an optical viewfinder that provides a field of view of 95%
and a magnification of 0.54x. The adjacent tables list some of the other core features of the Canon 500D along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

 
 
Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab

1.

 

Canon 500Doptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.4/s Y n
2.

 

Canon 750Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
3.

 

Canon 760Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
4.

 

Canon 1200Doptical n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
5.

 

Canon G1 X Mark IIoptional n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 5.2/s Y Y
6.

 

Canon 700Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
7.

 

Canon 650Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
8.

 

Canon G1 Xoptical n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/4000s 1.9/s Y Y
9.

 

Canon 600Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
10.

 

Canon 550Doptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
11.

 

Canon 450Doptical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n

Notes: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One convenient feature of the 500D is the presence of an on-board flash.
While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 500D and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

 
 
Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support

1.

 

Canon 500DYmono / mono–mini2.0—
2.

 

Canon 750DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
3.

 

Canon 760DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
4.

 

Canon 1200DYmono / mono–mini2.0—
5.

 

Canon G1 X Mark IIYstereo / mono–mini2.0YY-
6.

 

Canon 700DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0—
7.

 

Canon 650DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0—
8.

 

Canon G1 XYstereo / mono–mini2.0—
9.

 

Canon 600DYmono / monoY-mini2.0—
10.

 

Canon 550DYstereo / 

–

Y-mini2.0—
11.

 

Canon 450DY

–

 / 

–

–mini2.0—

Further information on the features and operation of the 500D can be found in the
free online Canon 500D Manual or on the
Canon support site.

Expert reviews

While the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the 500D in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera’s market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Canon 500D FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers
concerning some particular features of the 500D.

What type of imaging sensor is used in the 500D?

The camera features a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.

Which image processing chip is used to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Canon equipped the 500D with the DIGIC 4 image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the 500D?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400.

What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Canon EOS 500D?

Canon mentions a shutter rating of 100 000 actuations for the 500D. 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 500D over, say, three years, one would have to take about 100 pictures each and every day.

Does the Canon 500D 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 flash?

The 500D’s flash sync speed is 1/200 sec.

Which battery does the 500D use?

The camera gets its power from the LP-E5 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Is there a vertical grip available for the 500D?

Yes, Canon offers the
BG-E5 as an optional accessory
to facilitate shooting in portrait orientation and to provide additional battery power.

Camera to camera comparisons

If you would like to see a side-by-side review with another camera, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

~

Specifications Summary

Camera Model

Canon 500D

Camera Type

Digital single lens reflex

Camera Lens

Canon EF mount lenses

Launch Date

March 2009

Launch Price

USD 799

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

1080/20p Video

ISO Setting

100 – 6 400 ISO

ISO Boost

100 – 12 800 ISO

Image Processor

DIGIC 4

DXO Sensor Quality (score)

63

DXO Color Depth (bits)

21.7

DXO Dynamic Range (EV)

11.5

DXO Low Light (ISO)

663

Screen Specs

Viewfinder Type

Optical viewfinder

Viewfinder Field of View

95%

Viewfinder Magnification

0.54x

Top-Level Screen

no Top Display

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 Aidno Peaking Feature

Maximum Shutter Speed

1/4000s

Continuous Shooting

3.4 shutter flaps/s

Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuationsSilent Shootingno E-ShutterTime Lapse Photographyno Intervalometer

Fill Flash

Built-in Flash

Storage Medium

SDHC cards

Single or Dual Card Slots

Single card slot

UHS card support

no

Connectivity Specs

External Flash

Hotshoe

USB Connector

USB 2.0

HDMI Port

mini HDMI

Wifi Support

no Wifi

Body Specs

Battery Type

LP-E5 power pack

Battery Life (CIPA)400 shots per charge

Body Dimensions

129 x 98 x 62 mm
(5.1 x 3.9 x 2.4 in)

Camera Weight

520 g (18.3 oz)

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