Review: Canon EOS 450D
By Terry Lane | theage.com.au | 21 May
Canon EOS 450D two-lens kit
$1650
Competent entry-level SLR with so-so lenses
Low-down: This 12-megapixel camera is Canon's cheapest DSLR. We tried the twin-lens kit with an 18-55 millimetre and a 55-250 millimetre lens. Camera and lenses use lots of plastic, so they are light but insubstantial. The LCD is the function display. It appears to be the same as that on the EOS 40D - big but low resolution. The viewfinder is a pentamirror, rather than a prism. It is reasonably bright. Ergonomics are OK but not as good as the Nikon D60. But the Canon beats the Nikon on auto-focus lens compatibility and it has auto bracketing. Continuous shooting speed is 31/2 shots a second. The menus are clear and elegant. 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 incandescent 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. But we took the camera to an outdoor wedding and used the 55-250 millimetre 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 $2000 Enthusiast Kit.
First published by TheAge.com.au on May 21 2008
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