According to us, this is even more compelling for the users of the entry-level photo cameras (probably because their users have less background experience to support them while they handle a Digital SLR camera that is much more complex than the bridge or compact camera they may have used before). At Canon, these SLR cameras are recognized by their three-figure moniker (EOS 500D, EOS 550D, EOS 600D, etc.)

With those users on our mind, we searched as extensively as needed to find the users guides for those SLR cameras:

• User manual for the Canon EOS 600D
• User manual for the Canon EOS 550D
• User manual for the Canon EOS 500D
• User manual for the Canon EOS 450D

They are now at your disposal in an easy to download electronic format (a PDF file) and they are free.

If you are ready to buy your camera gear in the USA (or if you live there), you may want to take advantage of the Canon offers and Canon rebates from B&H, our partner in New York City. Starting with offers on the all-new Canon EOS 60D (already available):

• Canon EOS 60D DSLR Camera (body)
• Canon EOS 60D DSLR Camera Kit with Canon EF-S 18-135mm Lens
• Canon Instant Rebates on DSLR & Kits

Even for Canon, next September will see the Photokina show in Koln (Germany). It is often the occasion when brands of photo manufacturers launch the photo cameras they expect will be doing the big sales of the end of the year (a period that is really good for the amateur photography market). This year should not be any kind of exception and Canon has several cards to draw. So, I will not fail to try my hand at a few previsions from the information I got (sometimes they are incoherent, but they are often consistent when they reach my mailbox). The real difficulty for Canon predictions comes from the lack of precision of the current rumours.

To start with something really obvious, it is no longer possible to sort out rumour and fact about the Canon EOS 60D. At the beating heart of the EOS range of D-SLR cameras, the Canon EOS 50D has long been waiting its replacement (The 50D was launched at the end of 2008!). However, the launch of the Canon EOS 7D let think that this xxD series was at its end. But with time, rumours about an upcoming EOS 60D did not stop. Since the EOS 7D is also reaching a 5 quarters availability, it is possible to imagine that time has come to see either one or both replaced. And, consequently, most of the rumours are only that: Rumours… only based upon the wishes of their authors.

To give you a hint at what this new camera could be, here are possible features:

• 18 MP digital sensor
• Sensitivity: ISO 100-6400
• Continuous shooting at 7 fps
• 9-point AF system
• Fixed LCD (maybe tiltable)
• New user interface
• (Minor) improvements to the EOS 7D video capture mode, already in 1080p (FullHD)

But this is still to be confirmed and stays quite imprecise.

Curiously, since the Canon EOS 60D is still a very active hypothesis despite the lack of serious confirmation from the manufacturer, the replacement of the Canon EOS 1000D is not attracting a lot of credible leaks (despite some isolated DIY rumours, here and there). However, there is a very good chance that Canon will offer a new solution in the lower price range (Canon EOS 2000D) to counter-act the ever-more-present competition in the “less than 500€” market which is starting to be very active (Just look at the launch of the Sony Alpha 290 or the price reductions of the Pentax K-x, not even counting the strong offers from Olympus or Samsung). The photo sensor will have to leave the dusty floor of 10 MP, probably to re-use some of the already existing technology of its bigger brothers, but without reaching the expensive 18 MP level (15 MP would be perfect). The only really important issue will be to ensure very low manufacturing costs while staying in the race and it is difficult to precisely forecast the corners that the engineers will have to cut short; However, the higher the resolution, the more expensive the components (and not only the sensor itself).

Additionally, CR speaks more about new lenses for the end of August (in preparation of the Photokina show): EF 60 f/2.8 IS Macro, and EF 24-70 f/2.8L IS.

So, not many fixed certainties, but it is very probable that Canon will make the landscape clear at the end of August to prepare the Photokina 2010 Fair, either with a Canon EOS 60D, or a Canon EOS 2000D, or both.

• Sony Alpha A500
• Nikon D5000
• Canon EOS 500D ou Rebel T1i

Of course, this test is listed in the list of comparisons/reviews attached to the feature page of each of these cameras (follow the links above).

Source: AlphaMountWorld.com Sony Alpha A500, Nikon D5000, and Canon EOS Rebel T1i- Compared

The cash-back on the EOS 450D configurations amounts to £50, whereas it climbs to £65 on a Canon EOS 500D. It will run until 31 October 2009.

Source: www.canon.co.uk/futurephotocashback

Canon information:

From the 11th September to 31st October 2009 if you are a student, lecturer or technician working on a recognised university photographic course you can save up to £65 on a purchase of a new Canon EOS camera.

Purchase either an EOS 450D and claim £50 cashback or an EOS 500D and claim £65. All you have to do is purchase the camera (any configuration) from an authorised retailer in the UK or Ireland, download and complete the claim form from this page, send along with a photocopy of your receipt and photocopy of your academic status (NUS card, Academic security pass or course acceptance letter) to the address on the form. You will then receive a cheque within 28 days.

We thought so, but it has now been confirmed by the senior general manager AMC division of Sony’s Digital Imaging Business group, Toru Katsumoto: The inclusion of video will only happen when it will be bringing that feature to the level of existing Sony Handicam video cameras.

So, this is not (only) because the Sony Alpha 230, 330 and 380 are based upon a relatively old technology (but well used) that Sony most SLR cameras are not competing against Nikon D5000 and Canon EOS 500D.

Source: CNet.

• What’s New in the EOS Rebel T1i: HD Movie Mode
• What’s New in the EOS Rebel T1i: What’s New in the EOS Rebel T1i: Creative Auto Mode

They could be interesting a lot of people, but it is also interesting to notice that the CDLC is a nice web location to discover a lot of digital-camera-related information provided directly by Canon.

For sure, if you want a good prix-performance for your SLR photo camera, you must check this Canon EOS 500D.

• Download a Canon EOS 500D user/instructions manual (from Canon Europe)
• Download a Canon EOS 500D user/instructions manual (from YLovePhoto)
• Books about the Canon EOS 500D (Amazon.com)
• Téléchargez un manuel du Canon EOS 500D (depuis Canon Europe)
• Téléchargez un manuel du Canon EOS 500D (depuis YLovePhoto)

The Canon EOS 500D (aka Canon Rebel T1i) owner’s manual (5.7MB PDF file) is now available for download from the Canon website.

If you find that one of the links no longer works (you don’t get the PDF file for the requested user manual), please, feel free to leave a comment and I’ll update the page as soon as I can find a replacement link from another Canon web site (Canon tends to move their user manuals around).

Despite my permanent willingness to collect all possible tests and reviews of new cameras (the database contains features and all reviews and tests I could find), the Canon EOS 500D is a mystery for me. Why are there no reviews available?

Usually on launch day, all the big sites have a nice preview available and created from a pre-series camera provided by the manufacturer. We are now 24 hours after the launch of this new Canon camera and there is essentially no review. At the moment I write, I found only two photographic reviews of the EOS 500D. On the Internet, I find the usual amount of press release copies, but no tests.

Is the camera really available? Even in small quantities?

Canon Rebel T1i is the name of the Canon EOS 500D in the USA.

After a second half of 2009 where Nikon has been putting a lot of competitive pressure on Canon, here comes the new Canon dSLR photo camera: Canon EOS 500D (also known as Canon Rebel T1i) and, boy! did they react well.

The Canon EOS 500D is definitely a great step forward where Canon is redefining many features that will be included in entry-level SLR cameras. Essentially, the EOS 500D is including many features that were previously only expected from the models at EOS 50D level or similar mid-range models.

Canon felt the pressure from the Nikon D90; They answer with a camera which has been improved in many different aspects, starting with:

• Video capture up to 1080p
• Improved LCD screen, totally orientable
• More than 15MP sensor, a lot of pixels in a low-cost camera

This is so high an expectation, that you feel surprised not to find such features as per-lens micro-adjustments.

You may not be interested in switching to Canon from your current preferred brand, but all this is good news: All SLR cameras are going to be better just because the Canon EOS 500D is obviously an excellent product.

All the features of the Canon EOS 500D.

Also to be noticed: Canon is simultaneously introducing other related products: two photo printers PIXMA Pro9500 Mark II & PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II printing up to A3+ and a compact flash, Speedlite 270EX.

Here is comes! It is now nearly certain that the Canon EOS 500D is not a hoax, a rumour or an error. The Zoom Danish web site presents one photo of the new camera (see it here on the left) and confirms that the official presentation will happen tomorrow morning.

The main features appear on the newly open database page for the Canon EOS 500D. But the body appears unchanged since the Rebel XSi or EOS 450D.

And the American name of the camera will be Rebel T1i.

Thanks David for the initial pointer.

• Against all logic (but based upon a very short and rather imprecise Danish post), many are trying to believe that the announcement of the Canon EOS 500D will be done on 25 March.
• The control interface could be improved with a jog wheel but nobody seems to be able to confirm such a thing.
• The arrival of the Olympus E-620 seems to have given substance to the rumour of a tilt-and-swivel LCD screen. It would have an excellent (marketing) justification in the success of the Sony Alpha 300/350.
• It has often been repeated in the recent months that Canon will use this camera to present a new flash (or bounce flash). It would be surprising on an entry-level camera…
• Face detection could be added to direct the Autofocus operation (Nice idea, this).

So, we’re left with some time to wait before we can be sure.

1. The Canon EOS 500D would be launched June 23,
2. A 30mm f/2 lens with an EF-S mount would be presented on the same day.

Visibly, the Nikon D400 is considered more worth of rumours and comments than any other possible future camera.

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of nikon d800 in the last 12 months.

pentax k30d 0  canon 500d 0.75  nikon d800 1.00  nikon d400 1.80

All the details on the Google Trends page comparing pentax k30D, canon 500D, nikon D800, nikon D400.

• 15.1 MP sensor
• 3″ VGA LCD
• Continuous shooting: 3.5 fps
• Sensitivity: 100-3200 ISO
• 9 point AF
• Memory slot: SD Card
• Liveview (with contrast AF)
• HDMI Out
• Movie Mode, possibly with some AF

Now, this has a clear impact on the decisions in photography-related companies. Who would want to spend millions of dollars on advertisement, press information, etc. if the potential customers are not even listening because their attention is focused on managing their day-to-day life or a foreclosure? Additionally, many camera manufacturers see their prices forced up (at the worst possible time) by unfavorable evolution of exchange rates (everybody is speaking about the world-wide price hike-ups of Nikon, Sigma and a few others). So, many marketing departments of photo companies are reviewing their launch calendar.

It seems that one of the first companies to have made a decision here is Canon. The word is out that the Canon EOS 500D is currently pressured for a delay which would make its launch more in line with a less depressed market. It may be pushed from this Winter to Spring or early Summer 2009 (Northlight Images even say Autumn). Of course, this goes with the possibility for the designers to add new features if it is still possible to use this delay. This could be a good financial and technical strategy.

However, there is a lot of pressure mounting inside Canon in order to close the gap created by Nikon with the launch of the Nikon D90, Nikon D700, Nikon D3x. The Canon 500D with video features would be a good answer.

It is also said that the Pentax K30D may be delayed. Or is it that Pentax is unsure about what to include in the package right now?

Sony has a lot of things to send to the market in 2009. Scheduling the launches in steps could be natural if they need to spread the costs, but I doubt they will adopt such a strategy. Despite the financial issues they recently disclosed, they seem quite able to pursue their usual strategy of “maximum impact” which supports well the simultaneous disclosing of a wealth of products. Nevertheless, it could lead to a step-by-step availability.

Nothing seems to be said of Nikon delays. Is it because they are perceived as having such an impetus that they can’t stop pushing new good products to the market?

Whatever happens, recession is a factor that the marketing department of any major camera company must take into account. There is little doubt that 2009 (and possibly 2010) will be a bad year for all consumer-oriented industries. Since no part of the world will be doing really better than the others, this brings the need to be cautious. Let’s hope that camera brands will not stop showing us good (better?) cameras.

Last minute note: Nikon Watch just announced that both Nikon and Canon were posting decreasing profits.