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I’m going to start this review by telling you straight away about the 500Ds impressive 15.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, this kind of feature allows for printing up to A3 size in fantastic quality! This makes plugging into the TV for viewing a pleasure as the quality doesn’t diminish on the bigger screen.

Also, once again, I am reviewing a hybrid with High Definition (HD) video recording. I am always drawn to the hybrids as I love the ability to video record and take stills with the same camera, it’s just really great for my creative mind to have these kind of options to play with.

As of the time of this review the Canon 500D has the biggest LCD of all the cameras I have played with, at 3inches with a resolution of 920,000 it is a very attractive display!

Assistance is provided in the form of a 9 point (wide screen) auto focus set up. The Canon 500D has an ISO range of up to 3200 (double its predecessor) and canon has also included noise reduction (at four levels) technology to better your image quality even with the lighting isn’t that great. This is possible because of the upgraded Digic 4 Processor.

The numbers: A whopping 3.4 frames per second! (once again, the best numbers out of all my reviews so far) and weighs in at 480grams without the battery. The battery is a Lithium-Ion LP-E5 rechargeable, with the option of purchasing a car charger as well or of course with the option to upgrade to a bigger battery with longer life.

Video mode gives you four different options for recording: 1080p at 20 frames per second, 720p at 30 frames per second, VGA at 30 frames per second and MOV with video H.264 and sound, linear PCM.

Face detect and Live View mode are complimented with Contrast detect. When shooting, the Clear View LCD with its dual layer of anti reflective coating (a unique Canon feature) makes your viewing much easier in brighter sunlight or harsh lighting as well as at funny angles. I didn’t have any problems playing around with the camera outside on a really sunny day, the LCD was clear and crisp and I didn’t have to tilt it or shade it to see the information. The EOS 500D also has 7 brightness levels to assist with easier viewing, I turned it down when I was indoors as the bright one is not needed and the lower levels save on battery life.

Canon has boldly added 25 language options for the menu, I was a bit disappointed to find neither Afrikaans or Xhosa in this list (for us South Africans haha ;))

The Canon Eos 500D has integrated a dust reduction feature that plays out when you turn the camera on with a low-pass filter vibration which can be interrupted if you don’t want it to happen. Along with the filter vibration there is also an anti-static coating on the sensor surfaces. (there is also a feature that apparently uses software to map the dust and then remove it at a later stage, but I didn’t play with this)

Canon has included a CMOS sensor which makes for lower power consumption and contributes to longer life of the battery. The EOS 500D is compatible with the entire range of Canon’s EF-s and EF lenses as well as the EX series Speedlite lenses. (A special mention to the brilliantly compact and powerful 270EX Speedlite with super fast recharge ability from only two AA batteries! Great for on the go).

I found the Canon EOS 500D an incredibly comfortable hold with steady weight distribution, no complaints in body shape and material. The body wasn’t cluttered with buttons, but those that were there were in the right spots and the menu was easy to navigate.

My conclusion: A five star rating (yip, all the way!) I love those 15.1 megapixel s and of course, I’m a sucker for hybrids and this particular one offers great video options AND an impressive LCD not only in size but also in clarity.