My New Camera

[Iguanasan]

Hoping to make this my new camera as soon as it's available.

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canoneos500d/

[Ben H]

Brand new cameras will be more expensive - the retail price for the 500D is way too high imo - we'll have to see what the street prices do.

I use a 450D - the 500D (apart from video, the 1080p of which is pretty unusable) has slightly better ISO/noise, and a small amount of extra resolution, but that's about it.

My advice would be, unless you really want the video, you'd be better off getting a 450D kit (as the prices should drop still further now the 500D is nearly here) - you'd be getting more or less a similar performing camera, for substantially less money.

I personally *would* like the video, but seeing as we've just dropped £3500 on a spanking new Sony Z5 dvcam which should be here this week, I can live without it...

I do love my 450D though...

[Iguanasan]

I was originally going to buy the XSi but I noticed their cycle time on a particular model was about 18 months so I was expecting a new version -- I hate buying old tech though I recognize that it's old the day it's made :(

Anyway, yes, you are right. I might be able to pick up an inexpensive XSi when these come out in force.

[Ben H]

I was originally going to buy the XSi but I noticed their cycle time on a particular model was about 18 months so I was expecting a new version -- I hate buying old tech though I recognize that it's old the day it's made :(

Yeah, I know what you mean.

And, if the 500D was a significant improvement - af adjust, seriously better low-noise performance, much faster burst rate, better build quality etc - then I would absolutely recommend spending the extra, as you will benefit in the long run.

But many of these specs are limited by marketing, rather than technology - eg, they won't significantly give a much faster burst shooting rate because then it hobbles their mid-range camera sales, etc.

Is the 500D a better camera? It certainly would appear so from the specs. But I'd say as a stills camera, it's probably 5-10% better than the 450D, but the price difference is like, maybe 50% (not sure, and it's rather regionally dependant.)

The real differentiator here is video. If you want it, it has to be the 500D. If you don't, then you are paying the difference largely for a feature that's not important to you.

Anyway, yes, you are right. I might be able to pick up an inexpensive XSi when these come out in force.

That's certainly getting more for your money, as with the price difference you could pick up the 55-250 lens, or a 430/580 flash, or battery grip and the 1.8 50 etc etc.

Anyway, I'd suggest sitting and waiting and seeing where the 500D and 450D settle. If there's not much in it, you might as well go for the most recent model, it will hold it's value a little better. if the price difference is substantial, well, then it's a slightly different equation...

Lastly - my 450D + 18-55 kit cost me £429 with the £50 cashback offer. (Current street price is £500)
The 500D + 18-55 retail UK price is £970!

I expect the street price to go down to maybe £650-700 but I still think that's a lot of cash for a slightly improved 450D + video.

[Iguanasan]

Current kit price for the XSi in Canada is about $800 and the kit price for the 1Ti is set at $899US so it'll be close.

[Ben H]

Ok - if it stays that close, then I'd def go for the 500...

Anyway, regardless of what you end up getting, you'll love it, have a bunch of things to learn, and will no doubt start making better and better pics - I look forward to seeing them on here when you get it...

[memery261]

The 500D uses the same sensor as the 50D. The iso is very usable @6400, But the 12800 is way too noisey. The 1080P Video records at a lower frame rate than the 1080P should be shot at. anyway it looks like a great camera.

BTW I shoot with both the 50D and the XSI.

Mick