Canon 50d Owners Manual

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Index to Features
Shooting
 Creative AutoÎ p.57
 Quick Control screen Î p.38
 Self-timer Î p.90
 Program AE Î p.92
 Shutter-priority AE Î p.94
 Aperture-priority AE Î p.96
 Manual exposure Î p.98
 Bulb Î p.104
 Mirror lockup Î p.106
Exposure adjustment
 Exposure compensation Î p.101
 AEB Î p.102
 AE lock Î p.103
 Exposure level  increments Î p.174
Flash
 Built-in flash Î p.107
• Flash exposure  compensation Î p.109
• FE lock Î p.110
 External flash Î p.113
 Flash control Î p.111
Live View shooting
 Live View shooting Î p.116
• AF Î p.121
• Exposure simulation Î p.117
• Grid Î p.119
• Silent shooting Î p.128
Image playback
  Image review time Î p.145
  Single image playback Î p.132
• Shooting information  display Î p.133
  Index display Î p.135
  Image browsing 
(Jump display) Î p.136
  Magnified view Î p.137
  Manual image rotate Î p.138
  Auto image rotate Î p.146
  Auto playback Î p.139
  Viewing the images 
on TV Î p.141
  Protect Î p.143
  Erase Î p.144
Customization
 Custom Function (C.Fn) Î p.171
  My Menu Î p.185
  Camera user setting 
registration Î p.186
Sensor cleaning/
Dust reduction
 Sensor cleaning Î p.147
  Add Dust Delete Data Î p.149
Viewfinder
 Dioptric adjustment Î p.34
  Changing the focusing 
screen Î p.183
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Camera Care This camera is a precision instrument. Do  not drop it or subject it to physical 
shock.
  The camera is not waterproof and cannot be used underwater. If you 
accidentally drop the camera into wa ter, promptly consult your nearest 
Canon Service Center. Wipe off any water droplets with a dry cloth. If the 
camera has been exposed to salty air, wipe it with a well-wrung wet cloth.
  Never leave the camera near anything having a strong magnetic field such 
as a magnet or electric motor. Also  avoid using or leaving the camera near 
anything emitting strong radio waves such as a large antenna. Strong 
magnetic fields can cause camera misoperation or destroy image data.
  Do not leave the camera in excessive heat such as in a car in direct sunlight. 
High temperatures can cause the camera to malfunction.
  The camera contains precision elec tronic circuitry. Never attempt to 
disassemble the camera yourself.
  Use a blower to blow away dust on  the lens, viewfinder, reflex mirror, and 
focusing screen. Do not use cleaners that contain organic solvents to clean 
the camera body or lens. For stubborn dirt, take the camera to the nearest 
Canon Service Center.
  Do not touch the camera’s electrical c ontacts with your fingers. This is to 
prevent the contacts from corroding . Corroded contacts can cause camera 
misoperation.
  If the camera is suddenly brought in from the cold into a warm room, 
condensation may form on the camera and internal parts. To prevent 
condensation, first put the camera in a sealed plastic bag and let it adjust to 
the warmer temperature before taking it out of the bag.
  If condensation forms on the camera, do not use the camera. This is to avoid 
damaging the camera. If there is condensation, remove the lens, card and 
battery from the camera, and wait until the condensation has evaporated 
before using the camera.
  If the camera will not be used for an extended period, remove the battery 
and store the camera in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Even while the 
camera is in storage, press the shutter button a few times once in a while to 
check that the camera is still working.
  Avoid storing the camera where there are corrosive chemicals such as a 
darkroom or chemical lab.
  If the camera has not been used for an extended period, test all its functions 
before using it. If you have not used the camera for some time or if there is 
an important shoot coming up, have  the camera checked by your Canon 
dealer or check the camera yourself and make sure it is working properly.
Handling Precautions
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							13
Handling Precautions
LCD Panel and LCD Monitor Although the LCD monitor is manuf actured with very high precision 
technology with over 99.99% effective pixels, there might be a few dead 
pixels among the remaining 0.01% or less pixels. Dead pixels displaying 
only black or red, etc., are not a malfunction. They do not affect the images 
recorded.
  If the LCD monitor is left on for a prolonged period, screen burn-in may occur 
where you see remnants of what was  displayed. However, this is only 
temporary and will disappear when the camera is left unused for a few days.
  In low or high temperatures, the LCD monitor display may seem slow or it 
might look black. It will return to normal at room temperature.
CardsTo protect the card and its recorded data, note the following:
 Do not drop, bend, or wet the card. Do not subject to excessive force, 
physical shock, and vibration.
  Do not store or use the card near anything having a strong magnetic field 
such as a TV set, speakers, or magn et. Also avoid places prone to having 
static electricity.
  Do not leave the card in direct sunlight or near a heat source.
  Store the card in a case.
  Do not store the card in hot, dusty, or humid locations.
Lens Electrical ContactsAfter detaching the lens from the camera, attach the lens 
caps or put down the lens with the rear end up to avoid 
scratching the lens surface and electrical contacts.
Cautions During Prolonged UseWhen you shoot continuously for a prol onged period or use Live View shooting 
for a long period, the camera may become hot. Although this is not a 
malfunction, holding the hot camera for a long period can cause slight skin 
burns.
Contacts
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Quick Start Guide
1Insert the battery. (p.26)
To recharge the battery, see page 24.
2Attach the lens. (p.31)
When attaching an EF-S lens, align it 
with the white index on the camera. 
For other lenses, align it with the red 
index.
3Set the lens focus mode switch 
to .
 (p.31)
4Open the slot cover and 
insert a card.
 (p.29)
Face the label side toward you 
and insert the end with the 
small holes into the camera.
5Set the power switch to < 1>. 
(p.27)
For EF lens



						

							15
Quick Start Guide
6Set the Mode Dial to  (Full 
Auto).
 (p.48)
All the necessary camera settings will 
be set automatically.
7Focus the subject. (p.35)
Look through the viewfinder and aim 
the viewfinder center over the subject. 
Press the shutter button halfway, and 
the camera will focus the subject.
If necessary, the built-in flash will pop-
up automatically.
8Take the picture. (p.35)
Press the shutter button completely to 
take the picture.
9Review the picture. (p.145)
The captured image will be displayed 
for about 2 sec. on the LCD monitor.
To display the image again, press the 
< x> button (p.132).
  To view the images captured so far, see “Image Playback” (p.132).
  To delete an image, see “Erasing Images” (p.144).
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For detailed information, reference page numbers are provided in 
parentheses (p.**).
Nomenclature
Digital terminal (p.154,167)
Video OUT terminal (p.141)
HDMI mini OUT terminal (p.142)
Remote control terminal (p.105) (N3 type) PC terminal (p.114)Hot shoe (p.113)
Built-in flash/AF-assist beam (p.107/87)
EF-S lens mount index (p.31)
Grip 
(Battery 
compartment) DC coupler cord 
hole (p.190) Flash-sync contacts 
Shutter button
(p.35) Mode Dial (p.20)
Lens lock pin
Lens mount
Contacts (p.13)
Body cap (p.31) Depth-of-field 
preview button
(p.97)
Red-eye 
reduction/
Self-timer lamp 
(p.108/90)
Strap mount  
(p.23)
Lens release 
button (p.32) Terminal cover
Mirror (p.106,151)  Flash 
button (p.107)
 
Metering mode 
selection/White balance 
selection button (p.100/71)
 AF  mode
selection/Drive mode 
selection button (p.84/89) 
 
ISO speed setting/Flash exposure  compensation 
button (p.63/109)
 Main Dial 
(p.36)  LCD panel illumination button (p.104)
LCD panel (p.18) EF lens mount index (p.31)
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Nomenclature
Tripod socket
Extension system 
terminal
Battery compartment 
cover (p.26)Battery 
compartment 
cover release 
lever (p.26)
 Focal plane mark
 Multi-controller (p.36)
Viewfinder eyepiece Eyecup (p.97)
Dioptric adjustment knob (p.34)
Strap mount
(p.23)
Access lamp (p.30) Card slot 
cover (p.29)
Card slot (p.29)
Card ejection button (p.30)
LCD monitor 
(p.40, 145)

AF point selection/
Magnify button 
(p.86/137,161)
 AF  start  button 
(p.35,84,118)
 AE lock/
FE lock button/Index/
Reduce button
(p.103/110/135/137,161)
 Menu 
button (p.40)  Live View 
shooting/Print/Share 
button (p.117/159,168)
 Info/
Trimming 
orientation button 
(p.120,132,188/
161)
 Playback 
button (p.132)
 Picture Style 
selection button (p.65)
 Function button (p.184)  Erase 
button (p.144)
 Quick Control Dial (p.37)
 Setting button (p.40)
Power/Quick Control Dial 
switch (p.27)
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Nomenclature
LCD Panel
The display will show only the settings currently applied.
Shutter speed
Busy (buSY) 
Built-in flash recycling (buSY)
 Beeper (p.193)
 Highlight tone priority (p.177)
Image-recording quality (p.60)
37   Large/Fine
38   Large/Normal
47   Medium/Fine
48   Medium/Normal
67   Small/Fine
68   Small/Normal
1   RAW
D  Small RAW
Flash exposure 
compensation (p.109)
Battery check (p.28)
zx
bn
White balance (p.71)   Q  Auto
 W  Daylight
 E  Shade
 R  Cloudy
 Y  Tungsten light
 U 
White  
   fluorescent light
 I  Flash
 O  Custom
 P  Color 
   temperature White balance 
correction (p.74)
Aperture
AF point selection ([ -   -   - ]
)
Card full warning ( FuLL CF)
Card error warning ( Err CF)
No card warning ( no CF) 
Error code (Err)
Cleaning image sensor ( CLEA n)
Shots remaining
Shots remaining 
during WB bracketing
Self-timer countdown
Bulb exposure time
AF mode (p.84)X 
One-Shot AF
9 
AI Focus AF
Z 
AI Servo AF
Metering mode (p.100)
q  Evaluative metering
w  Partial metering 
r  Spot metering
e 
Center-weighted average metering
Drive mode (p.89)
u  Single shooting
o  High-speed continuous 
 shooting
i  Low-speed continuous 
 shooting
j  Self-timer (10 sec.)
l  Self-timer (2 sec.)
Exposure level indicator
  Exposure compensation 
  amount (p.101)
  AEB range (p.102)
  Flash exposure compensation 
  amount (p.109)  AEB (p.102)
 Monochrome shooting (p.66)
Card writing status - -
-
- -
-
 ISO speed (p.63) ISO speed (p.63)
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Nomenclature
Viewfinder Information
The display will show only the settings currently applied.
Spot metering circle
AF points 
(Superimposed display)
  AE lock/
 AEB in-progress
  Flash-ready 
        Improper FE lock 
 warning
    High-speed sync 
 (FP flash) 
    FE lock/
 FEB in-progress Exposure level indicator
  Exposure compensation amount
  Flash exposure compensation  
 amount
 AEB range
Red-eye reduction lamp-on indicator Focus 
 confirmation 
 light
Focusing screen
Shutter speed
FE lock (FEL)
Busy (buSY)
Built-in flash recycling ( D buSY)
Aperture
 Flash exposure 
 compensation Max. burst
Card full warning ( FuLL CF)
Card error warning ( Err CF)
No card warning ( no CF)White balance 
correction
 Highlight tone priority ISO speed  
ISO speed
 Monochrome 
 shooting
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Nomenclature
Mode Dial
The Mode Dial has the Basic Zone modes and Creative Zone modes.
Basic Zone
All you do is press the shutter 
button. Fully automatic shooting for 
specific kinds of subjects.
1: Full Auto (p.48)
C : Creative Auto (p.57)
Creative Zone
These modes give you more 
control over the result.
d
: Program AE (p.92)
s : Shutter-priority AE (p.94)
f : Aperture-priority AE (p.96)
a : Manual exposure (p.98)
8 : Automatic depth-of-field 
AE (p.99)
Image Zone
2 : Portrait (p.51)
3 : Landscape (p.52)
4 : Close-up (p.53)
5 : Sports (p.54)
6 : Night Portrait (p.55)
7 : Flash Off 
(p.56)
Camera User Settings
Most camera settings can 
be registered under  w or 
x  (p.186).
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