Camera Features
• 12.2 MP CMOS sensor
• 3.5fps
• 9-point wide-area AF
• EOS Integrated Cleaning System
• 3.0” LCD with Live View mode
• DIGIC III processor
• Large, bright viewfinder
• Total image control
• Compact and lightweight
• Compatible with EF/EF-S lenses and EX Speedlites
Design and Ergonomics
The 450D is compact and lightweight with dimensions of 128.8 x 97.5 x 61.9 mm and weighing in at 475g. It’s small body has an easy arrangement of buttons for common functions and boasts a 3 inch LCD with LiveView. In LiveView mode displays through the lens picture on the LCD which makes shooting from awkward angles easier. Two types of auto focus in LiveView are available: Quick AF flips the camera mirror momentarily to engage the AF sensor; Live AF uses the image contrast data to focus. 10 times magnification through the LCD makes manual focussing easier in this mode. The LCD on the 450D is also 50% brighter than the 400D.
Picture Quality
With 12.2 megapixels you can get a 8x12 inch print with ample room for cropping at full resolution, with greater enlargement possible to achieve high quality poster size prints. This camera is also equipped with Canon’s Digic III processor. Digic III represents a new technological step as it processes more information faster. This has allowed colour rendition to improve from 12 bit on the Digic II to 14 bit on the Digic III, a difference of 4096 tonal levels per channel versus 16384 tonal levels per channel. This means that your photographs will have more faithful and more subtle tonal gradation. This is also an improvement that will apply to shooting in 8 bit JPEG mode as the JPEGs will be created from a greater source of information, reducing tonal skipping.
Performance Features
The EOS 450D captures up to 3.5 frames per second for a continuous burst of up to 53 large JPEG images (6 in RAW). Autofocus uses 9 points, with 3 settings: One-Shot AF, which focuses for a static point and then stops; AI Servo, which uses the focus points to continuously track the focus of fast moving subjects and takes into account shutter lag when adjusting final focus; and AI Focus, good for static or slow moving subjects, this setting automatically switches between AI Focus and One-Shot according to the movement of the subject.
Shutter speeds and Aperture are adjusted in 1/3 stops (from 30sec- 1/4000th sec). Four exposure methods are available: Evaluative metering uses 35 zone through the lens auto-exposure Centre-weighted, spot metering (4%) and centre-weighted average metering is also available. ISO settings are available from 100-1600ISO. White balance can be set automatically, through a setting or custom set. Flash synchronisation is 1/200 second.
Technology Features
Canon’s built-in dust prevention system uses three methods to keep images blemish-free. (1) Specialised materials reduce dust generation within the camera and anti-static technologies repel dust from the sensor. (2) A Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit shakes dust from the sensor each time the camera is turned on or off. (3) Stubborn dust spots are mapped for easy removal in Digital Photo Professional.
Several custom functions are available to optimise the quality of photos captured in a range of situations. Highlight Tone Priority boosts the dynamic range at the highlight end, providing better tonal detail from wedding dresses, cloudy skies and other bright objects. The new Auto Lighting Optimiser corrects brightness and contrast during image processing, while improving skin tones in portraits by ensuring correct exposure for faces. Photographers can also enable additional noise reduction for shots captured at high ISO speeds.
Gain easy control over image processing parameters with Picture Style presets. Contrast, sharpness and saturation can be customized in-camera or through the supplied Picture Style Editor software. After the shoot, Canon’s RAW processing software Digital Photo Professional provides everything you need to manage and process your RAW images.
The following picture modes are available to match settings to shooting conditions: Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait, No Flash, Program AE , Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual, A-DEP
Compatibility
Lenses: All EF and EF-S:
Memory Card: SD and SDHC cards
Remote shutter release: RS-60E3 (wired), RC-1/RC-5 (wireless)
Rechargeable Li-ion Battery: LP-E5
Battery Grip: BG-E5
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
This image stabilised standard zoom lens designed exclusively for entry/mid range SLR cameras has a 35mm equivalent focal length range of 28-88mm for coverage from the wide to normal angle perspective which is suitable for shooting large groups as well as head and shoulders portraits.
‘IS’ is for Image Stabiliser
Canon’s optical stabiliser uses micro gyroscopic sensors that detect light camera shake and inform the onboard computer which then actually shifts the IS lens group to compensate for the movement in your hands. With this system you can shoot at much lower shutter speeds and still achieve sharp pictures.
Basic Features
Minimum focus distance: 0.28m
Minimum Aperture: 22-36
Filter Size (Ø) = 58mm