On 13 February 2020, Canon announced the EOS 850D, a new entry-level APS-C format DSLR. The successor to the EOS 800D features a new DIGIC 8 image processor along with improved continuous shooting speeds, AF performance, high ISO capabilities and movie shooting performance, sufficient for photography hobbyists who want a DSLR for photographing family, travel, and memorable moments in their daily lives. 

1) Introduction
2) Continuous shooting performance
3) AF systems
4) High ISO speed performance
5) 4K video
6) Dials and operations
7) Wi-fi/Bluetooth connectivity
8) Key specifications
9) Sample images

 

Capture the boundless energy of your children and pets 

So you have your camera trained on your child sprinting in their very first school Sports Day race. You think you got the perfect shot of them crossing the finish line in first place…until you play it back and realise that you didn’t really capture the best facial expression, or even worse, the shot was blurred. 

Sounds familiar? You aren’t alone—many of us will probably have had a similar experience especially with a smartphone camera. The truth is, DSLR cameras are still the best tool for capturing lively, fast-moving subjects such as children and pets. With an optical viewfinder (OVF) that lets you see the scene with zero time lag and fast continuous shooting accompanied by a swift, highly-accurate autofocus (AF) system, they ensure that you capture decisive moments—perhaps before you even see it.

EOS 850D/ EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM/ FL: 286mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/5.6, 1/4000 sec, EV-1.0)/ ISO 640/ WB: Cloudy

With a fast continuous shooting speed in addition to outstanding AF and a fast shutter speed, you can even catch your pet dog “flying”!

 

Shoot up to 7.5 fps with Eye Detection AF in Live View 

The successor to the EOS 800D, which aimed to provide extra functionality to entry users who have made photography a hobby, the EOS 850D is equipped with the new DIGIC 8 image processor as well as a number of other improved specifications.

Of these, the continuous shooting speed is probably the most obvious. The EOS 850D is capable of:
- Up to 7 frames per second (fps) with AF tracking during OVF shooting
- Up to 7.5 fps with AF fixed in the first frame during Live View shooting

These improved maximum continuous shooting speeds were made possible by the higher processing power of DIGIC 8.

Higher continuous shooting speeds, more “keeper” shots

Imagine that you are shooting a soccer or basketball match. You will probably want to get in at least one shot with a player and the ball in the same frame. A continuous shooting speed that is too slow means that you might not be able to get the shot you want due to the fast pace of the game. Being able to capture even one more frame per second means more “keeper shots”, and a higher chance that at least one of them will be the impactful one that you will be proud to show off to others. (P.S: Why not try printing your favourite shots on the brand new SELPHY SQUARE QX10 compact photo printer?)

 

Improved  AF performance, including Face Tracking in both the OVF and Live View

Viewfinder AF

The viewfinder AF system on the EOS 850D includes 45 AF points that cover a wide area of the OVF, as well as a 220,000-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor.  This intelligent sensor analyses the OVF image to detect the shapes and colours of subjects, which it uses to carry out AF tracking (EOS iTRAF). If the subject is a person, the metering sensor also carries out face detection-based AF tracking.

Live View AF

During Live View shooting, the Dual Pixel CMOS AF system conducts fast, highly-accurate phase detection AF over an area that covers approximately 88% × 100% (horizontal × vertical) of the image sensor. In AF auto selection mode (Face + Tracking AF), the camera can select the AF point from as many as up to 143 AF segments, which ensures smooth, seamless tracking. If you choose to select the AF manually, you can do so from up to 3,975 AF positions, ensuring greater focusing precision regardless of how you compose your shot.

In Servo AF (AF tracking) mode, enhancements to the interface ensure that the AF frame displayed in the rear LCD screen replicates actual AF tracking movement without delay. This makes it possible to release the shutter with perfect timing, even when shooting small, fast-moving subjects.

Whether you are shooting a still photo or recording video, how sharply in-focus the eyes are can make or break the shot. Support for Eye Detection AF means that when you shoot human subjects, the camera will recognise the subject’s eyes and keep focus on it, which makes achieving a successful shot easier than ever.

 

The EOS signature: Excellent detail, astounding high ISO speed performance 

With 24.1 effective megapixels, the image sensor resolution of the EOS 850D is more-or-less the same as that on its predecessor. However, that is enough to create high-quality A3-sized prints of your favourite images. It is also more than enough to help you achieve realistic, finely-detailed images of natural landscapes as well as make portrait subjects “pop” with that beautiful, natural-looking background bokeh effect that interchangeable lens cameras are renown for.

EOS 850D/ EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM/ FL: 70mm/ Manual exposure (f/8, 1/125 sec)/ ISO 100/ WB: 5000K

The new DIGIC 8 image processor has resulted in improved noise reduction capabilities, which means that you can go ahead and use a higher ISO speed (or use ISO Auto!) than before without having to worry about image noise. This lets you shoot with a higher shutter speed, which helps to banish camera shake and achieve sharp shots whenever you shoot by hand indoors, at night or in poorly-lit locations.

Still shooting: ISO 25,600 (expandable to ISO 51,200)
Video: ISO 12,800 (expandable to ISO 25,600)
4K video: ISO 6400

On many other cameras, shooting at a high ISO speed like ISO 12,800 causes colours to look dull. However, on the EOS 850D, the colours still look vivid. The colours at ISO 25,600 are still acceptable at as long as you don’t make a large print of the image.

 

4K UHD video, 4K timelapses 

The EOS 850D adds the 4K UHD resolution to its predecessor’s Full HD and HD video capabilities, recording in MP4 format at 25p/24p (PAL/NTSC). It is also capable of shooting timelapses in 4K UHD.

*During 4K UHD shooting, contrast AF will be used for focusing
*4K UHD video will be cropped

 

A taste of the dials and controls found on more advanced cameras 

The EOS 850D seeks to satisfy both entry users and those who are more advanced, and the result is a design and interface that balances simple operability with controls found on higher-end camera models. This includes:
- The Quick Control Dial, which allows users to change camera settings faster and more easily, and:
- The AF-ON button, which allows users to carry out AF operation (which usually starts when the shutter button is half-pressed) separately from shutter release. This makes it easier to conduct back button AF.

The Quick Control Dial is very useful for adjusting exposure compensation, and is a staple on intermediate and advanced EOS camera models. The AF-ON button lets advanced users control AF separately from the shutter release.

 

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for easy file transfer and remote shooting

EOS 850D supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Install the free Canon Camera Connect app on your smartphone, and transferring your images and videos from the camera to your smartphone will be as simple as 1-2-3! You can choose to either transfer only the images that you select to your smartphone, or have them automatically transferred as you shoot. From there, uploading the images and videos to social media will just be a couple of taps away.  

Tip: Pair your devices with Bluetooth to make subsequent connections easier.

The Wi-fi/Bluetooth support and Camera Connect also let you use your paired smartphone as a remote control for the camera. This is great for group shots and self-portraits: No more setting the self-timer and running into position! Simply use the Bluetooth remote controller function in Camera Connect to release the shutter from where you are. There is also the Remote Live View Shooting function, which you can use to capture your pet getting up to mischief when you are out of the room. More ways to shoot, more memories to keep for the future.

 

Key specifications

Image sensor	approx. 24.1 effective megapixels; APS-C format CMOS sensor
Image processor	DIGIC 8
Native ISO speed (still shooting)	100 - 25,600 (expandable to 51,200)
Native ISO speed (video)	100 - 12,800 (expandable to 25,600) 100 - 6400 (4K video)
AF (OVF)	45 points all-cross-type (compatible with f/8: up to 27 points, 9-point cross)
AF (Live View)	Dual Pixel CMOS AF
OVF	95% coverage, pentamirror, 22-megapixel RGB+IR metering sensor
LCD monitor	3.0-inch, approx. 1.04-million dot Vari-angle touch panel
Continuous shooting (max.)	OVF: 7 fps (One-Shot AF, AI Servo AF) Live View shooting: 7.5 fps (One-Shot AF) / 4.5 fps (Servo AF)
Max. shutter speed	1/4,000 sec
Movie shooting	4K: up to 25p/24p (cropped) Full HD: up to 50p/60p
Size (approx.)	131.0 × 102.6 × 76.2 mm
Weight (approx.)	515g (with battery, memory card)

 

 

Sample images

EOS 850D/ EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM/ FL: 61mm/ Shutter-priority AE (f/3.5, 1/500 sec)/ ISO 100/ WB: Auto

 

EOS 850D/ EF16-35mm f/2.8L III USM/ FL: 16mm/ Manual exposure (f/11, 1/1250 sec)/ ISO 800/ WB: Daylight

 

EOS 850D/ EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM/ FL: 38mm/ Shutter-priority AE (f/2.8, 1/125 sec)/ ISO 6400/ WB: Auto

 

EOS 850D/ EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM/ FL: 35mm/ Manual exposure (f/11, 1/6 sec)/ ISO 100/ WB: 7000K

 

Find out more in: EOS 850D: Get Your Photography Game On

 

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