50D pixel density question

[David Billingsley]

I have been considering a 50D and have been reading a lot of 50D threads on various forums.

Several posts have stated that the pixel density of the 50D will create a greater challenge in producing tack-sharp images with the super telephoto lens. This is supposedly a result of the smaller pixels being more effected by camera motion. This goes way beyond my digital technology expertise.

Is this a theory thing only or does it have merit? I know there have been a lot of great images posted here by Doug Brown and others with there new 50Ds. No one has mentioned any additional challenges.

Comments greatly appreciated.

Have a blessed day - dave b.

[Robert O'Toole]

The 50D is a great camera!
You should visit a camera shop or show and take along your CF card and lenses and give it a test drive and see for yourself. I am sure you will like it.
Don't forget APS-C sensor cameras are only using the sweet spot on super-tele lenses anyway so you are way ahead of FF or FX sensor bodies to begin with.

Robert

[Nikolay Staykov - shotlandetsa]

I also doubt that the 50D will be better performer compared to the Marks.
I hope these days (most probably the weekend) to fire a test with the 50D, mark III and 600/4 to see how the details in the still images are. This will be indicative for the other things I suppose.

[Doug Brown]

Hi David! There is no doubt in my mind that I prefer the pixels when viewed at 100% on the Mark III to the pixels on the 50D. How much that impacts your ability to get a tac-sharp image is debatable, except when it comes to noise. In that category the Mark III excels due to its larger sensor/ lower pixel density. But I get more critically focused shots with the 50D than I do with the Mark III or the 40D. Here's a photo I took today with the 50D (400mm, f/7.1, 1/2000, ISO 800, no flash, hand held). It is probably 70% of full frame. Plenty of detail.

[Peter Hawrylyshyn]

Dave -
Haven't had the 50D as long as Doug, but my initial impression is comparable to his. Not many birds left here, so have been testing the cameras on various landscapes. Below is a screen capture taken with a 300mm f4 L lens on a tripod and Neutral settings on both cameras ( ie - no in-camera noise reduction or special effects) and the images have not been sharpened or altered in PS. Both were taken at ISO 640 with One Shot AF using the central focus sensor focussed on the "L" on the chimney. The 50D image (on right side) is sharper but shows more noise. Plan more comparisons with 500mm f4 L lens this weekend. But so far, there's a lot to like about the 50D.

[David Billingsley]

Doug,

Thanks for sharing your comments and observations concerning pixel density. They confirm what I have been reading.

The shots with your new 50D are outstanding - keep them coming. Since the 50D AF is basically unchanged from the 40D, wonder why the 50D AF performs so much better??. The faster processor maybe?? It looks like I may have to give the 50D a try. It seems like everyone is commenting how much they like the improved AF performance.

Thanks again - have a blessed day -dave b.

[David Billingsley]

Dave -
Haven't had the 50D as long as Doug, but my initial impression is comparable to his. Not many birds left here, so have been testing the cameras on various landscapes. Below is a screen capture taken with a 300mm f4 L lens on a tripod and Neutral settings on both cameras ( ie - no in-camera noise reduction or special effects) and the images have not been sharpened or altered in PS. Both were taken at ISO 640 with One Shot AF using the central focus sensor focussed on the "L" on the chimney. The 50D image (on right side) is sharper but shows more noise. Plan more comparisons with 500mm f4 L lens this weekend. But so far, there's a lot to like about the 50D.

Peter,

Thanks for sharing your test results. Looking forward to more examples.

So far - it's looking like the 50D is a major bang-for-the-buck.

Thanks again - have a blessed day - dave b.