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Canon Digital Rebel T1i / EOS 500D SLR Camera

Canon Rebel T1i EOS 500D SLR front view

March 25th, 2009

Canon has today introduced the Canon Digital Rebel T1i digital SLR. In some countries (Europe) the camera will be known as the Canon EOS 500D.

 

 


The Canon Digital Rebel T1i joins the ranks in the Canon line-up as a step up from the 12.2 MP Canon Rebel XSi / EOS 450D, and incorporates a number of technologies found in Canon’s higher end EOS 50D.

The Rebel EOS T1i shares a similar 15.1 MP CMOS sensor, and the nice large 3.0-inch high resolution 921,000 dot LCD monitor with anti-reflective coatings and wide viewing angle found on the EOS 50D.

The Canon Digital Rebel T1i is also one of the first digital SLR's to feature Live View with HD video recording capability (selectable from 1080p at 20fps or 720p at 30fps). HD movies can be recorded up to 18 min in length.

Additional features found on the Canon Rebel T1i / EOS 500D include; Canon's DIGIC 4 image processor, a 9 point AF system, and up to 3.4 frames per sec continuous shooting. The Rebel T1i will be sold as a body only or in a kit package with the Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS zoom lens.


Canon Rebel T1i EOS 500D back view


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Canon Digital Rebel T1i / EOS 500D Digital SLR Major Features

• New 15.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor with DIGIC 4 Image Processor for faster processing of fine detail and natural color reproduction, 14-bit A/D conversion for smooth color tones and gradations.

DIGIC 4: Canon’s DIGIC 4 processor works with the CMOS sensor to deliver 14-bit image processing, for smooth gradations and natural looking colours. DIGIC 4 also powers advanced Noise Reduction when shooting at higher ISO speeds, plus split-second startup times and near-instant image review after shooting.

Full HD movie recording: Full HD video capture at 1080P (1920 x 1080) resolution at 20 frames per second (fps) or 720P (1280 x 720) at 30 fps. An HDMI connection allows High Definition playback of footage and images on any HDTV.

High ISO for low light: When light levels fall, the Rebel T1i offers a wide range ISO setting 100-3200 – expandable to 12800 for those environments where using flash is undesirable. (ISO expansion: 6400, 12800)

3.4fps with up to 170 JPEG burst: The Canon Rebel T1i features shooting speeds of up to 3.4fps in continuous bursts of up to 170 large JPEG images (9 RAW).

The EOS Rebel T1i has a 3.0-inch high resolution LCD monitor that features 920,000 dots/VGA for far more detail than previous Rebel-series LCDs. It's the same screen found on professional models such as the EOS 5D Mark II.

A number of features enhance usability: an anti-reflective and water-repellant coating provides a clearer and more smudge-resistant surface and screen brightness can be adjusted in 7 steps in accordance with ambient light. Switch to Live View mode and use the real-time visual feed to shoot from awkward angles.

9-point AF system: A high-precision AF system employs 9 AF points AF Points are located throughout the frame to better accommodate off-centre subjects. For accurate focusing with fast aperture lenses, the central AF point features a high sensitivity cross-type sensor, suitable for lenses with an aperture of f/2.8 or faster.

Auto Lighting Optimizer for superior highlight-shadow control: lightens dark areas of a scene while ensuring that bright areas maintain tonal detail. It's available in all shooting modes, including P, Tv, Av and Manual.

Creative Auto Mode goes a step beyond simply automatic control allowing easy adjustment of frequently-changed settings. With Creative Auto mode, you can learn about photography while taking pictures.

EOS Integrated Cleaning System: Canon’s built-in dust prevention system offers three ways of guarding images against the effects of dust: reduction of internal dust generation; an in-camera sensor cleaning mechanism; and the ability to map stubborn dust sports for removal with the included Digital Photo Professional software.

Full EF/EF-S and EX Speedlite compatibility: The Canon EOS Rebel T1i is compatible with Canon’s full range of EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series Speedlites.


Canon Digital Rebel T1i EOS 500D top view


Canon Digital Rebel T1i / EOS 500D Compared to the Rebel XSi / EOS 450D

Canon Digital Rebel T1i versus the Rebel XSi side by side

Specifications
Canon Rebel T1i / EOS 500D
Canon Rebel XSi / EOS 450D
Sensor 15.1 MP CMOS (similar to EOS 50D) 12.2 MP CMOS
Image Processor Canon Digic 4 Canon Digic 3
Design Differences

New textured finish to control dial
Microphone added for movie
Dedicated button provides access to movie recording and live view

Dedicated "Metering Mode" button on top of camera
Dedicated "Print" button on rear of the camera
HD Movie Recording HD movie recording (setting on mode dial) Selectable from 1080P (1920 x 1080) at 20 fps or 720P (1280 x 720) at 30 fps. 640 x 480 VGA movies at 30 fps. Movies are recorded in the Quicktime MOV format. You can record up to 29 min 59 sec clips (or up to max file size of 4 GB) N/A
LCD Monitor

3.0-inch TFT LCD monitor with high resolution 920,000 dots and a wide viewing angle of 170°

Dual anti-reflection, anti-smudge

Face Detection in Live View Mode has been added

3.0-inch TFT LCD monitor with 230,000 pixels and a wide viewing angle of 170°
Shooting Frame Rate 3.4 fps up to 170 jpegs or 9 in RAW mode 3.5 fps up to 56 jpegs or 6 in RAW mode
Quick Adjustment Settings on Screen Press the "Set" button to activate the Quick Control menu on the LCD monitor. Easily adjust a wide range of camera settings quickly. N/A
ISO Sensitivity Auto (100 - 1600), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, Boost H1 (6400 ISO) H2 (12800 ISO)

Basic Zone modes: ISO 100-3200 set automatically
AUTO (100-800), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Image Processing Settings

1) Creative Auto mode - While basic settings are based on full automatic operation, shooting guides on the LCD screen enable you to make corrections based on simple to follow guidelines

2) Auto Lighting Optimizer now has 4 settings: Standard, Low, Strong, Disable. Lightens dark areas of a scene while ensuring that bright areas maintain tonal detail

3) High ISO Speed Noise Reduction with 4 settings: Standard, Low, Strong, Disable

5) Peripheral Illumination Correction: brightens the corners of images to correct for possible lens vignetting (light fall off towards edges)

1) Auto Lighting Optimizer: On or Off

2) High ISO Speed Noise Reduction: On or Off

Custom Functions 13 custom functions with 39 settings 13 custom functions and 34 settings
Approximate number of shots on fully charged LP-E5 battery (as per specs)

500 shots without using pop up flash

400 shots with 50% flash use

About 190 shots with Live View on

600 shots without using pop up flash

500 shots with 50% flash use

About 190 shots with Live View on

Connectivity HDMI Type C to connect to HD TV VGA output connection
Recommended Lenses

Canon Rebel T1i EOS 500D versus Rebel XSi back view


Canon Digital Rebel T1i / EOS 500D Press Release

Press Release: MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 25, 2009 – Canon Canada Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today introduced a new addition to its Rebel lineup, the EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR camera, the first in the Rebel line to feature Full HD video capture. The new Canon Rebel T1i SLR incorporates some of the best technologies from the EOS 50D and EOS 5D Mark II models into an entry-level juggernaut. With a 15.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and HD video capture, along with the DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor, the Rebel T1i gives aspiring photographers plenty of reason to step-up to the latest and greatest model in the Rebel lineup.

The new Canon EOS Rebel T1i raises the entry-level bar with a host of enhanced Canon technologies now available in an entry-level DSLR. Along with the boost in megapixels and Canon’s most advanced imaging processor to-date, this latest Rebel camera has also been enhanced with HD video capture, a 7.6-centimetre Clear View LCD (920,000 dots/VGA) monitor and user-friendly functions such as Auto Lighting Optimizer, Creative Auto Mode and Canon’s Live View modes, all the right tools to open new doors for imaging enthusiasts. From high-resolution to high-definition, the new EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR camera helps to give creative consumers a jumpstart on the next evolution in digital imaging.

“We are witnessing the emergence of a new phase in digital imaging history, as high-resolution still images and HD video can now both be produced in a hand-held device, for under $1,000. This is truly a great time to be involved in digital imaging as the advent of online communities are helping usher in this next great era in imaging,” said Ian Macfarlane, Vice President and General Manager of the Consumer Imaging Group at Canon Canada Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc.

The muscle behind Canon’s new EOS Rebel T1i camera is the DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor with 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion and the ability to process full HD video.

The Canon EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR offers continuous shooting at 3.4 fps for up to 170 large/fine JPEG images or up to nine RAW images in a single burst when using a class 6 or higher SD card.

With the combination of its 15.1-megapixel APS-C size CMOS image sensor and the new DIGIC 4 image processor, the Canon EOS Rebel T1i camera provides ISO speeds from ISO 100 up to ISO 3200 in whole stop increments, along with two additional high-speed ISO settings – H1: 6400 and H2: 12800.

The EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR utilizes a precise nine-point Autofocus (AF) system and AF sensor for enhanced subject detection. The Rebel T1i provides a cross-type AF measurement at the centre that is effective with all EF and EF-S lenses.

 

The cross-type AF measurement reads a wider variety of subject matter than conventional single-axis AF sensors and thus increases the new camera’s ability to autofocus quickly and accurately when shooting still images.

The EOS Rebel T1i camera is compatible with Canon’s complete line of more than 60 Canon EF and EF-S lenses, to help provide an incredible variety of visual effects to both still and video imaging capture, including ultra-wide-angle and fish-eye to macro and super-telephoto. This includes all of Canon’s large-aperture EF L-series professional lenses.

HD and SD Video Capture

After the introduction of the EOS 5D Mark II in September 2008, the Company’s first HD video DSLR, Canon has integrated this must-have feature into the new entry-level flagship EOS Rebel T1i camera. The camera features 16:9 720p HD video capture at 30 fps as well as a Full HD 1080p video capture at 20 fps, and a third option to record 4:3 standard TV quality (SD) video capture at 640 x 480 pixels and 30 fps. The video capture mode is part of the camera’s Live View function, using the Picture Style that has been set for Live View still image shooting.

The camera allows skilled photographers and enthusiasts to adjust image sharpness, contrast, colour saturation and white balance, and have those settings apply to the movie image as well. When recording video, the camera’s rear LCD screen is letter-boxed by a semi-transparent border to match the aspect ratio of the movie recording size.

Like the EOS 5D Mark II model, the EOS Rebel T1i camera will record video up to 4GB per clip equalling approximately 12 minutes of Full HD video, 18 minutes of 720p HD video, or 24 minutes of SD video depending on the level of detail in the scene. Video clips are recorded in .MOV format using an MPEG-4 video compression and sound is recorded using linear PCM without compression. The camera features a built-in monaural microphone to record sound.

To help show off those fantastic movies as well as still photos, the EOS Rebel T1i camera includes an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) output to display crisp, clear images on a High-Definition TV.

Live View Shooting

Much like the EOS 5D Mark II, the Canon EOS Rebel T1i camera features Live View for both still images as well as video. The Rebel T1i features the Company’s three Live View AF modes – Quick, Live and Face Detection Live mode – which can be used to capture still photos or video images. Quick mode automatically sets One-Shot AF using the camera’s phase detection AF system. It also allows users to select the AF point, even while the Live View image is displayed. Although the camera’s reflex mirror must be lowered briefly to take an AF measurement in Quick mode, it is the fastest way to set focus automatically when the Rebel T1i camera is set for Live View.

Live mode uses contrast-detection AF with the image sensor and here, as with Quick mode, users can change the location of the active AF point using the Multi-controller. Face Detection Live mode uses contrast AF to recognize human faces. When multiple faces are detected, the largest face closest to the centre of the frame is targeted as the AF point. While Live View is engaged, users can still change settings including the AF mode (Quick, Live, Face Detection Live mode), drive mode, ISO speed, Picture style, White Balance and more.

Auto Lighting Optimizer

Canon’s Auto Lighting Optimizer technology helps ensure that the subject of each picture is clearly visible by analyzing image brightness and automatically adjusting dark areas in images so they appear brighter. This is ideal when shooting high-contrast situations that include harsh shadow areas, such as landscape images where the foreground is brightly lit and the background detail blanketed in dark shadow. In a scene such as this, the EOS Rebel T1i camera’s Auto Lighting Optimizer technology maintains exposure of the highlight areas while lightening shadow areas for a more enjoyable and evenly illuminated image. The EOS Rebel T1i also supports Peripheral Illumination Correction for up to 40 Canon EF and EF-S lenses.

Canon’s Creative Auto Mode

Canon’s “CA” Creative Full Auto setting available on the EOS Rebel T1i, EOS 50D and EOS 5D Mark II cameras allows users to make image adjustments such as exposure compensation, aperture or shutter speed through a simple navigation screen on the camera’s LCD screen, allowing them to “blur the background” or “lighten or darken the image” with ease. These easy-to-understand image options allow learning-photographers to experiment with image options while still shooting in an automatic mode.

EOS Integrated Cleaning System

With the introduction of the EOS Rebel T1i camera, the entire Canon EOS system is now equipped with the highly acclaimed EOS Integrated Cleaning System. The Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit for the Canon EOS Rebel T1i has been upgraded with a fluorine coating on the low-pass filter for better dust resistance.

Pricing and Availability

The Canon EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR Camera is scheduled for delivery by early May and will be sold in a body-only configuration which includes a rechargeable battery pack and charger, USB and video cables, a neckstrap, an EOS Solutions Disk CD and a 1-year Canon Canada Inc., limited warranty at an estimated retail price of $999.99. It will additionally be offered in a kit version with Canon’s EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens at an estimated retail price of $1099.99.

Canon Speedlite 270EX

The new Canon Speedlite 270EX, the successor to the 220EX Speedlite model, is a compact, lightweight external flash option for Canon cameras including select Canon PowerShot models. Ideal for use with the new EOS Rebel T1i, the new Speedlite 270EX uses only two AA batteries and enables bounce flash shooting with four position steps from 0 degrees to 90 degrees. Like Canon’s high-end Speedlite flash models, the 270EX allows users to control flash functions and input settings using the camera’s LCD monitor[v]. The flash also features a quick-lock mechanism and a metal mounting foot for secure and easy attachment and reliable contact.

Canon Digital Rebel T1i / EOS 500D Specifications

Canon Rebel T1i EOS 500D SLR cut out view



Canon Digital Rebel T1i / EOS 500D Digital SLR Specifications
Sensor 22.3 x 14.9mm CMOS
Resolution Approx. 15.1 megapixels
Low Pass Filter Built-in/Fixed with Self Cleaning Sensor Unit
Sensor Cleaning EOS integrated cleaning system
Processor DIGIC 4
Lens Mount All EF and EF-S lenses
Auto Focusing (AF) TTL-CT-SIR with a CMOS sensor
AF System/ Points 9 AF points (f/5.6 cross type at centre, extra sensitivity at f/2.8)
AF Working Range EV -0.5 -18 (at 23°C & ISO100)
AF Modes AI Focus
One Shot
AI Servo
AF Point Selection Automatic selection, Manual selection
Selected AF Point Display Superimposed in viewfinder and indicated on LCD monitor
Focal Length Equivalent to 1.6x the focal length of the lens
Predictive AF Yes, up to 10m
AF Lock Locked when shutter button is pressed half way in One Shot AF mode.
AF Assist Beam Intermittent firing of built-in flash or emitted by optional dedicated Speedlite
Manual Focus Selected on lens, default in Live View Mode
Metering Modes TTL full aperture metering with 35-zone SPC
(1) Evaluative metering (linked to all AF points)
(2) Partial metering at center (approx. 9% of viewfinder)
(3) Spot metering (approx. 4% of viewfinder at center)
(4) Center weighted average metering
Metering Range EV 1-20 (at 23°C with 50mm f/1.4 lens ISO100)
AE Lock Auto: In 1-shot AF mode with evaluative metering exposure is locked when focus is achieved.
Manual: By AE lock button in creative zone modes.
Exposure Compensation +/-2 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 stop increments (can be combined with AEB).
AEB +/- 2 EV, 1/2 or 1/3-stop increments
ISO Sensitivity AUTO(100-1600), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Expandable to 6400 + H (approx 12800) in 1-stop increments
Type Electronically-controlled focal-plane shutter
Speed 30-1/4000 sec (1/2 or 1/3 stop increments), Bulb (Total shutter speed range. Available range varies by shooting mode)
White Balance System Auto white balance with the imaging sensor
White Balance Modes AWB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, White
Fluorescent light, Flash, Custom.
White balance compensation:
1. Blue/Amber +/-9
2. Magenta/ Green +/-9.
Custom White Balance Yes, 1 setting can be registered
WB Bracketing +/-3 levels in single level increments
3 bracketed images per shutter release.
Selectable Blue/Amber bias or Magenta/ Green bias.
Viewfinder Type and Coverage (Vertical/Horizontal) Pentamirror, Approx. 95%
Magnification Approx. 0.87x
Eyepoint Approx. 19mm (from eyepiece lens centre)
Dioptre Correction -3 to +1 (1/m) (dioptre)
Focusing Screen Fixed
Mirror Quick-return half mirror (Transmission: reflection ratio of 40:60, no mirror cut-off with EF600mm f/4 or shorter)
Viewfinder Information AF information: AF points, focus confirmation light
Exposure information: Shutter speed, aperture value, ISO speed (always displayed), AE lock, exposure level/compensation, spot metering circle, exposure warning, AEB
Flash information: Flash ready, high-speed sync, FE lock, flash exposure compensation, red-eye reduction light
Image information: White balance correction, SD card information, monochrome shooting, maximum burst (1 digit display), Highlight tone priority (D+)
Depth of Field Preview Yes, with Depth of Field preview button.
LCD Monitor 3.0" TFT, approx. 920K dots Approx 170° wide viewing angle. Dual Anti-reflection, anti smudge. Adjustable to one of seven levels
Monitor Coverage Approx. 100%
Built-in Flash GN (ISO 100, meters) 13
Built-in Flash Coverage up to 17mm focal length (35mm equivalent: 27mm)
Built-in Flash Recycle Time Modes Approx. 3 seconds
Built-in Flash Auto, Manual Flash On/Off, Red-Eye Reduction
Red-Eye Reduction Yes
Flash Sync 1/200sec
Flash Exposure Compensation +/- 2EV in 1/2 or 1/3 increments
Flash Exposure Bracketing Yes, with compatible External Flash
Flash Exposure Lock Yes
Second Curtain Synchronisation Yes
External Flash Compatibility E-TTL II with EX series Speedlites, wireless multi-flash support
Modes Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait, No Flash, Movie, Program AE , Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual, A-DEP
Picture Styles Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, User Defined (x3)
Colour Space sRGB and Adobe RGB
Image Processing Highlight Tone Priority
Auto Lighting Optimizer (Basic and Creative modes)
Long exposure noise reduction
High ISO speed noise reduction
Peripheral illumination correction
Custom Image Processing Parameters Sharpness: 0 to 7, Contrast: -4 to +4, Saturation: -4 to +4, Color tone: -4 to +4, B&W filter: N, Ye, Or, R, G, B&W tone: N, S, B, P, G
Drive Modes Single, Continuous, Self timer (2s, 10s+remote, 10s + continuous shots 2-10)
Continuous Shooting Max. Approx. 3.4fps. (speed maintained for up to 170 images (JPEG)¹, 9 images (RAW)) ²
Live View Mode Manual Focus (Magnify the image 5x or 10x at any point on screen)
Autofocus: Quick mode, Live mode. Real-time evaluative metering with image sensor
Active metering time can be changed. Grid overlay, Histogram.
Still Image Type JPEG: Fine, Normal (Exif 2.21 [Exif Print] compliant) / Design rule for Camera File system (2.0),
RAW: RAW (14bit, Canon original RAW 2nd edition),
Digital Print Order Format [DPOF] Version 1.1 compliant
RAW+JPEG Simultaneous Recording Yes (RAW + Large JPEG only)
Still Image JPEG: (L) 4272x2848, (M) 3088x2056, (S) 2256x1504
RAW: (RAW) 4272x2849
Movie Type MOV (Video: H.264, Sound: Linear PCM)
Movie Size HD (16:9)1920 x 1080P at 20fps max 12min clip, 1280x720P at 30fps max 18min clip, SD(4:3) 640 x 480 at 30fps max 24min clip
Movie Length Max duration 29m 59sec, Max file size 4GB
File Numbering (1) Consecutive numbering
(2) Auto reset
(3) Manual reset
Custom Functions 13 Custom Functions with 39 settings
Metadata Tag User copyright information
Slideshow Autoplay: All images, repeat
Histogram Brightness: Yes
RGB: Yes
Highlight Alert Yes (Shooting information display only)
Image Erase Erase: Single image, Checkmarked images, Unprotected images
Protection: Erase protection of one image at a time
Data Verification Original image verification data can be appended to the image (OSK-E3 required for verification)
Menu Languages 25 Languages
English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Portuguese, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Greek, Russian, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Romanian, Ukrainian, Turkish, Arabic, Thai, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Japanese
Firmware Update Update possible by the user.
Interface Hi-Speed USB
Video Interface Video output (PAL/ NTSC) (integrated with USB terminal), HDMI Type C
Printers Canon SELPHY Printers, Bubble Jet Printers with the direct print function and PIXMA Printers supporting PictBridge
Memory Card Type SD card, SDHC card
Bundled Software ZoomBrowser EX / ImageBrowser, Digital Photo Professional, PhotoStitch, EOS Utility (inc. Remote Capture, Original Data Security Tools*), Picture Style Editor
* Requires optional accessory
Battery 1 x Rechargeable Li-ion Battery LP-E5
Battery Longevity Approx. 400 (at 23°C, AE 50%, FE 50%) ¹
Approx. 380 (at 0°C, AE 50%, FE 50%)
Battery Level Indicator 4 levels
Optional Power Accessories AC Adapter Kit ACK-E5, Battery charger LC-E5E, Car Battery charger CBC-E5
Body materials Stainless Steel/Plastic
Operating Conditions 0 ? 40 °C, 85% or less humidity
Dimensions 128.8 x 97.5 x 61.9 mm
Weight Approx. 480g
Optional Viewfinder Accessories Eyecup Ef, E-series Dioptric Adjustment Lens with Rubber Frame Ef, Eyepiece Extender EP-EX15II, Angle Finder C
Optional Speedlites Canon Speedlites (220EX, 270EX, 380EX, 420EX, 430EX, 430EX II, 550EX, 580EX, 580EX II, Macro-Ring-Lite MR-14EX, Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX, Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2)
Vertical Battery Grip Accessory BG-E5 vertical battery grip. Can hold two LP-E5 rechargeable batteries or 6 AA batteries.
Remote Accessory Remote Switch RS-60E3, Remote Controller RC-1/RC-5
Software Accessory Original Data Security Kit OSK-E3


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