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I had a opportunity to test the latest Canon EOS 500D digital DSLR, on American market known as Digital Rebel T1i.

It was quite interesting to compare this new “entry-level” DSLR with my trusty, not that old EOS 50D. I’m more then astonished by the results that I got. I had wrote “entry-level” cause this camera is offering much more then some previous entry level amateur camera (ex EOS 350D). From the EOS 450D, this class of the Canon’s cameras has risen for the amateur class, and with the new 500D they are closer to the professional class, more then ever.

Some of the latest and more important improvements are: new optical sensor, almost the same as that in 50D, with optical resolution of 15 megapixels. Almost the same, means that the picture quality is completely the same. But Canon has reduced the number of IO ports on the sensor, and because of that 500D can produce only 3.5 fps at full resolution – comparing to 6.3 fps that 50D can do. And you know that this is not a crucial difference for stock photography. Also 500D has the new generation of image processor – DIGIC IV. Same as the 50D and 5D Mk II. Consequences are less noise in pictures, even on higher ISO settings. Better and faster processing working with 14bit RAWs is much faster – now. And the new user interface, same as the 50D and 5D Mk II. Which is much more intuitive, and easier to adapt.

Unboxing new Canon EOS 500D – unfortunately the titles are in Serbian.

Also, Canon said goodbye to the old 3” LCD with 230k pixel resolution and has implemented new 3” LCD with 920k pixel resolution, also same as on the 50D. New better LCD will not make your photos better, but  working with this camera is now pure enjoyment.

Also few of the advanced options, available usually on higher class cameras has come in 500D. Such as Peripheral Illumination Correction option which will fix the dark corners, caused by the lens vignetting. Note that this feature will work only on Canon made lenses. I have test it with the new kit lens, 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 IS, it really make a difference. Unfortunately if you own some third party lens, for example Sigma 18-125mm 3.5-5.6, only option is to shot with f/8 and higher where vignetting is less or fixing it up in post processing latter.

Also new 500D comes with the video recording option, it records in full HD resolution 1920 x 1080 @ 20 fps and HD resolution of 1280x 720 @ 30fps. Video recording is limited to 30 minutes, which is more then enough if you are interested in expanding your stocking business to stock video. Large sensor size, comparing to regular digital camcorders, is making nice DOF effect on recorded video, quite similar like movie cameras.

One of the few things that you will lack on this camera is first of all body size, it’s to small – actually same as the predecessor, which is just too small for my big hands. And it’s missing the WB settings where you can enter the temperature of the light that you use in your studio. Also this is not such an obstacle cause you can shot a blank white paper and set the custom WB for your studio light setup.

Overall this is a great camera, almost perfect for the micro-stocking, even the new kit lens 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS is far more better from it’s predecessor with out the IS. So it will be a good companion beginning micro-stocking business.

And it’s HD video recording abilities will make you seriously consider entering video stocking world.
Canon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens is available on Amazon for about $850