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May 22, 2008
[REVIEW—CANON EOS 450D DSLR ]
Price: $1650, with 18-55 and 55-250 lenses
Competent entry level SLR with so-so lenses
The low-down: This 12 megapixel camera is Canon’s cheapest DSLR. We tried the twin lens kit with an 18-55 and a 55-250mm lens. Construction of camera and lenses uses much plastic material, so it is light but insubstantial. The LCD screen also serves as the function display. The LCD appears to be the same as that on the EOS 40D – large but low resolution. The viewfinder is a pentamirror, rather than a prism. It is reasonably bright. Ergonomics are OK but not comparable with the Nikon D60. However the Canon beats the Nikon on auto focus lens compatibility and it has auto bracketing. Continuous shooting speed is 3.5 shots per second. The menus are clear and elegant. Both the kit lenses have image stabilisation. Cost cutting shows in the plastic mounts and rough auto focus.
Like: The underlying picture quality from the camera is superb. There is a wide dynamic range and noise is not an issue. Even out of focus, underexposed backgrounds are noise free. Auto white balance is generally good, except under incasdescent lights. The flash is powerful and well diffused and the colour is excellent. Resolution of fine detail when using a decent lens is exceptionally good.
Dislike: Keep in mind that all of the above is praise for the camera body, not the lenses. The cheap kit lenses are not good enough for the body. When fitted with a good quality lens you see what the camera can really do.
Verdict: Once again an entry level DSLR is let down by its kit lenses. However we did take the camera to an outdoor wedding and used the 55-250 lens exclusively and the combination was better than competent. Focus is a little erratic and the image stabilisation isn’t very effective. But in the areas that mattered – keeping fine detail in white dresses and black suits – the output was exemplary. Fortunately at weddings the epitome of sharpness is not what’s wanted, rather a little softening of the fine details flatters the bride, and that’s what we got. The shutter is loud during the quiet bits of the service! We love the camera but would opt for the Enthusiast Kit at $2000 RRP.
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Posted by terry at May 22, 2008 01:01 AM
Worth Checking Out
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Comments
Thank you for your review... I have the previous model, the 400, with a 50mm f 1.2, very happy with it. I chose it as it was the quietest DSLR I could find. I am surprised that you found the 450 noisy. Could you suggest the quietest DSLR please?
Posted by: victor at May 30, 2008 05:21 AM
Victor: The quietest DSLR that I have tried is the Canon 40D fitted with a USM lens. The USM mechanism makes the focussing very fast and silent and the shutter/mirror is well buffered. You can even select a "silent" mode, although I haven't found that this lives up to the promise of its name. TL
Posted by: Terry at May 30, 2008 06:21 AM
Magnificent value for money!
Posted by: Daniel Gara at July 4, 2008 04:34 AM
Terry, many thanks for your reviews, and for keeping them precise and concise. You mention the 450D's shutter release is loud. Is it as loud as Pentax K100D? Perhaps you know if 400D or 1000D are any quieter?
Thanks again.
Posted by: Ivor at August 22, 2008 01:03 AM
Ivor: The general rule is that the cheaper the camera the louder the mirror/shutter slap. The Nikon D60 is the exception to this rule.
When you buy an entry level camera the thing you don't get is the luxurious feel and response -- including sweet shutter sounds -- that you get with a more expensive camera. Dearer cameras have all sorts of dampers and shock absorbers, plus better materials.
The three cameras you list are all a bit noisy. I wouldn't say that one was better than another.
Terry
Posted by: Terry at August 22, 2008 08:32 AM