Canon EOS 500D Review

Handling & ease of use
If you've used any of Canon's consumer DSLRs released over the last two or three years – or even if you're a newcomer to digital SLR photography – you'll immediately feel at home with the EOS 500D. Designed with beginners in mind, the very clean control layout is immediately accessible to photographers of all levels, including the complete novice. It's a very compact DSLR and at only 480g, it's also one of the lightest, although those with large hands may find the handgrip a little too small to hold securely (the BG-E5 optional grip would help in this respect). Build quality is more in keeping with entry-level models than mid-range DSLRs, so while it's well made and has a nice, rubberised finish on the handgrip and the thumb rest on the rear, it does feel quite plasticky.
The chunky control dial on the top-plate allows the user to quickly select an exposure mode, while the camera's on/off switch is nicely positioned to its right. Also close to the control dial is the ISO button, which has been given a prominent position to allow it to be accessed easily and with minimal fuss.
The rear of the camera is dominated by the 3in LCD monitor, which boasts the same excellent 920,000 dot screen found on more expensive EOS models. The well laid-out menu and the very useful Quick Control facility, for fast access to main functions, along with the large screen size, ensure it is fast and easy to use, and the added resolution is a real bonus when reviewing sharpness of images. You'll also find the DISP. (Display) button, next to the MENU button, useful when reviewing images too, as it allows you to quickly switch from a single image to a smaller thumbnail with histogram and so on. Of course, it's also worth remembering that the better the screen, the easier it is to work with the Live View option, though for the vast majority of the time, you'll be using the viewfinder, as opposed to the LCD monitor when composing images. The viewfinder screen is sharp and clear and has markings for the AF points and the central metering zone, but it is small for a camera at this price point (it's very similar in size to the EOS 450D screen). Exposure information runs along the bottom and is extensive. 
Score 21/25

Features
The EOS 500D isn't a replacement for the EOS 450D, but is based very much on its older cousin, but with a few extras thrown in. It's the only sub-£1,000 digital SLR to offer a 15-million pixel resolution (although Samsung and Pentax both have 14.6-megapixel models). It also joins Nikon's D5000 and D90 models in offering the option to capture HD video.
To handle the huge processing power that is required for such large image files and video, the EOS 500D sports the DIGIC 4 processor, also found in the EOS 50D and EOS 5D MkII models. It offers 14-bit processing and allows images to be captured at a rate of 3.4 frames-per-second (for up to 170 JPEGs or nine Raw files) and is at the heart of the Canon's performance.
With over 20 exposure modes to choose from (if you include the three user-defined modes), there is no shortage of fully and semi-automatic modes as well as a manual option.
Metering options are extensive too, with both Partial (9% area) and the more precise Spot (4% area) options being available, along with 35-zone Evaluative and Centre-weighted average. And of course, you have exposure compensation and autobracketing (both +/- 2EV in 1/2 or 1/3 steps), as well as AE-Lock options too. One feature that can be found on the EOS 500D that is not on the EOS 450D is the Auto Lighting Optimizer, which can be used to boost detail in shadow areas while maintaining detail in the highlights.
As image processors have steadily improved in how well they can handle noise, their ISO sensitivity range has also expanded. The EOS 500D offers a nominal range of ISO 100-3200,
with the option to expand it to ISO 6400 or 12,800 for when light is extremely low.
The autofocus system uses nine AF points, arranged in a diamond formation across the frame, with only the central point using the more sensitive cross-type sensor. There are three AF modes available (One Shot, AI Servo and AI Focus) with all AF points active or individual AF point selection available.
The integral flash is much like that used on other models, with a Guide Number of 13 (ISO 100m) making it suitable for general shots of friends and a coverage of 17mm meaning you can shoot at the wide-angle end of your standard zoom and get decent flash coverage across the frame. It offers a number of modes, including fill-in and red-eye reduction, as well as flash compensation (+/- 2EV in 1/2 or 1/3 stop increments).
Canon's image stabilisation facility is built into the lenses, so there is no body-integral shake reduction. As you'd expect, Canon's sensor dust reduction system is present and the software bundle provided is typically comprehensive, offering a variety of packages including Digital Photo Pro. 
Score 23/25

Performance
There are no prizes for guessing that the EOS 500D delivers high-quality images with ease. Like other EOS models, its highly reliable autofocus and superb Evaluative metering systems are at the heart of its success. The nine-point AF system is fast and responsive when locking on to static subjects, while the continuous AF mode does a good job tracking subjects that aren't too quick, such as cyclists or children playing. The 35-zone Evaluative meter is so consistent that you'll rarely need to change over to one of the other patterns or use any of the exposure overrides. Backlighting causes it to underexpose, which is a common failing with all multi-zone patterns, but apart from that, it turns in an excellent performance.
Flash exposures are good too, whether the integral flash is used to provide the main illumination or is simply used for fill-in.
Image quality is very good, with colours recording accurately and images showing very good detail. Noise isn't obvious until you get to around ISO 1000 and images are (just about)usable up to ISO 3200. While well controlled, it was noted that noise at higher ISO speeds was slightly more noticeable than from the Nikon D5000. Also, with very close scrutiny, noise on Raw files was slightly more obvious than on JPEGs, suggesting the noise reduction works well, but it should be noted that when images are viewed in the 'normal' fashion, this is virtually impossible to see.
There is very little wrong with the performance from the Canon. Apart from what's stated above, and the common Canon problem of the White Balance failing to deal properly with tungsten lighting (resulting in warm, orange cast), the EOS 500D delivers an excellent performance. Score 23/25

3in 'Clear View' LCD
One of the key selling points of the EOS 500D will be its ease of use, which owes a lot to the excellent 3in LCD monitor. Navigating the menu system is a breeze and the display options allow you to fine-tune it to your liking. Also, the 920,000 dot screen provides a very sharp and colourful display.
HD video
Movies can be recorded in one of three sizes: Full HD (1920x1080 at 20fps); HD (1280x720 at 30fps) or 640x480 at 30 fps). It's best to focus before starting the movie, then manually adjust focus while recording, as pressing AF while recording may make the lens 'hunt'. Sound is recorded on the Canon's built-in microphone.
Auto Lighting Optimizer
This function, like similar types on rival models, is designed to capture images with extra detail in shadows and highlights when shooting scenes with a wide tonal range, such as brightly lit landscapes with areas of shade. We found its effects to be very subtle.

Live View
With the exception of Sony, no manufacturer has been able to deliver a Live View system with an AF performance that comes close to offering the speed and accuracy of the autofocus in normal use. The same has to be said of the EOS 500D, which is slow and not particularly responsive in any of the Live View AF modes, making manual focus a better choice. However, that's not to take away from the fact that it's a very useful feature to be able to call on at times, such as when wishing to preview depth-of-field or precisely control image composition.
EOS DIGITAL Solution disk
The software bundle supplied with the EOS 500D is extensive. Of most use is Digital Photo Professional, which is used to edit images and convert Raw files. EOS Utility is worth a try if you want to remotely control your camera through the computer, while ZoomBrowser EX is an organisational package. Picture Style Editor allows you to create a Picture Style to shoot images with your own preferences.
Canon EF mount
The EOS 500D sports a metal lens mount that accepts Canon's EF and EF-S lenses. Whichever lens is fitted, the effective focal length must be increased by 1.6x due to the smaller than 35mm format APS-C-sized sensor, so for instance, an 18-55mm zoom is equivalent to a 28-88mm.

Overall Verdict
The Canon EOS 500D is, as you'd expect, an excellent camera. In terms of performance, it's hard to fault and the range of features will keep dedicated amateurs more than happy. Its small size and light weight make it a practical choice for many, although some may find it a little difficult to hold. It's a great camera, but it has one major problem – it's not that different to the EOS 450D, which costs far less. Its main differences are HD video and a higher megapixel count, but for many, making movies isn't of interest, while there isn't much difference in image quality between this and the 12.3-megapixel EOS 450D. For many amateurs with around £900 to spend, better options are the EOS 450D with an extra lens, flashgun, etc. or the Nikon D5000, which provides a slightly better all-round package.
Handling & ease of use 21/25
Features 23/25 
Performance 23/25
Value For Money 20/25
Overall 87/100