Canon's EOS 50D is a 15.1-megapixel mid-range digital SLR camera with APS-C size image sensor. Upgrading from the 10-megapixel EOS 40D, the 50D keeps the same-sized LCD screen but quadruples the pixel density for a sharper display, as well as moving from the third to fourth-generation Canon DIGIC image processor. The 50D adds high-definition output with the use of an HDMI adapter cable.

Though many DSLRs force the user to preview shots through the optical viewfinder, the 50D is able to display live video on its display, a common feature in point-and-shoot digicams, but technically challenging for an SLR. The model supports Canon's Creative Full Auto mode, which supposedly simplifies shooting for novices by renaming commands like "increase f-stop" to "darken background". Canon's also added face-detection to the camera's software, recognizing up to 35 people in-frame for image optimization. The camera uses CompactFlash cards for storage, now supporting UDMA mode for high-speed writes. All the new features have caused a battery hit, dropping the EOS's life to around 800 shots without flash.