Canon EOS 500D: Video fills the dSLR

Canon has announced the cheapest dSLR to shoot video. The EOS 500D captures fancy 1080p video and there's all the usual Canon goodness

Richard Trenholm

Richard Trenholm was CNET's film and TV editor, covering the big screen, small screen and streaming. A member of the Film Critic's Circle, he's covered technology and culture from London's tech scene to Europe's refugee camps to the Sundance film festival.

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Richard Trenholm

March 25, 2009 3:46 a.m. PT

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Canon has launched a new 15.1-megapixel dSLR that ranks as the cheapest high-end camera to shoot video. The EOS 500D shoots 1080p high-definition video, as well as packing in the usual Canon range of features.

The 5D Mark II was the first Canon to shoot movies, and like its predecessor the 500D captures 1080p video at 20 frames per second, or 720p at 30fps.

There's a 76mm (3-inch) LCD screen round the back, with live preview of focusing. It uses a nine-point wide area autofocus with cross-type centre point.

The DIGIC 4 processor gives 14-bit image processing, for more detailed images. Canon claims its burst mode will blast 3.4 frames per second for up to a whopping 170 JPEGs.

Click through our gallery for a first look at the EOS 500D, which is known as the EOS Rebel T1i in the States. We'll be getting our hands on the camera today, so keep it Crave!

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The 76mm (3-inch) LCD screen has a resolution of 920,000 dots.

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A new addition to the mode wheel is creative auto mode, which simplifies the options for adjusting your shooting settings, and is designed to be less intimidating to the dSLR newbie.

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The 500D packs a 15.1-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor.

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Also inside is the EOS Integrated Cleaning System to keep your sensor free of specks.

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The EOS 500D will be available from early May 2009 for £870, body-only. With the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens you'll pay £970, or £1,400 with the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS.