Move from T3i to 50D

I am considering moving from my T3i to a 50D. Ideally a straight swap would be nice but I guess it would depend on the condition of the camera.

I mainly shoot sports at the moment and I'm finding the T3i just doesn't cut it at certain times. I'm happy with the IQ but between the AF and the slower burst rate I find I'm missing key moments in games.

The only other thing that is making me reconsider is the high ISO performance. I do try to shoot concerts and I'm not entirely sure about the 50D in that area.

Right now the obvious differences like the swivel screen, wireless flash control, and movie mode are not really important to me. They are more novelties for the moment.

Would appreciate any feedback before I pull the trigger on this one. Thanks!

You'll probably lose about 1 stop of high-iso performance with the switch but you will get a slightly better AF system and faster FPS. Not to mention a bulkier body which IMO feels so much better than the rebels.

Don't forget that if you expose to the right it can reduce noise dramatically.
I would do the 50d for sure.
It also has micro adjust.

HaroldC3 wrote in post #14587632
You'll probably lose about 1 stop of high-iso performance with the switch but you will get a slightly better AF system and faster FPS. Not to mention a bulkier body which IMO feels so much better than the rebels.

Actually after doing some reading it looks like there is expanded ISO to 6400 (H1) and 12800 (H2) on the 50D. The T3i natively goes up to 6400 with expansion at 12800 (H). Not sure how they compare directly but the samples from the 50D testing looked decent.

jhayesvw wrote in post #14587851
Don't forget that if you expose to the right it can reduce noise dramatically.
I would do the 50d for sure.
It also has micro adjust.

Yes the micro adjust is a big selling point for me, I've noticed consistent back-focusing in my shots that is really getting frustrating.

I've had a T2i for a year, and 2 months ago added a used 50D as a second camera. The main reason for choosing the 50D was the higher FPS for shooting my daughter's sports activities, birds in flight, and airshows.

I've been very pleased with the 50D and its images. I shoot with it most of the time, and keep my 100-400L on it, while the t2i is used for mostly landscape shots. The Rebel is definitely no slouch, but the 50D definitely has a better feel to it.

T1i and 50D owner and sports shooter here. I would stick with the T3i because of the high ISO performance. With the slower FPS of the T3i/T1i, you just have to learn to time when to shoot to get the right shot. You may not get as many shots of the same event (like a sack in a football game) but with practice you can get that one good shot that you would show everyone out of the 2-4 you would take with the 50D.

It's a good switch. I notice that the 50D isn't even a full stop behind the T3i in my experience. They both kind of fall apart at around 3200, but I'd use 3200 on both for emergencies. T3i is better, but not heads and shoulders better in terms of ISO.

50D is better in almost every other way, the most important of which is shooting ergonomics.

HaroldC3 wrote in post #14587632
You'll probably lose about 1 stop of high-iso performance with the switch but you will get a slightly better AF system and faster FPS. Not to mention a bulkier body which IMO feels so much better than the rebels.

There are trade offs including a higher pixel count, better results at high ISO, and of course, really great HD video. If video is unimportant, its a much easier decision. For me the larger body, better build and better ergonomics alone would be worth the change. Few people are unhappy with a 50D.

sandwedge wrote in post #14589937
I've had a T2i for a year, and 2 months ago added a used 50D as a second camera. The main reason for choosing the 50D was the higher FPS for shooting my daughter's sports activities, birds in flight, and airshows.

I've been very pleased with the 50D and its images. I shoot with it most of the time, and keep my 100-400L on it, while the t2i is used for mostly landscape shots. The Rebel is definitely no slouch, but the 50D definitely has a better feel to it.

Thanks, appreciate the comments!

Chiken wrote in post #14590039
T1i and 50D owner and sports shooter here. I would stick with the T3i because of the high ISO performance. With the slower FPS of the T3i/T1i, you just have to learn to time when to shoot to get the right shot. You may not get as many shots of the same event (like a sack in a football game) but with practice you can get that one good shot that you would show everyone out of the 2-4 you would take with the 50D.

I understand what you're saying but I need more than one shot per game.

h4ppydaze wrote in post #14590049
It's a good switch. I notice that the 50D isn't even a full stop behind the T3i in my experience. They both kind of fall apart at around 3200, but I'd use 3200 on both for emergencies. T3i is better, but not heads and shoulders better in terms of ISO.

50D is better in almost every other way, the most important of which is shooting ergonomics.

That's good to know, I'm not overly concerned about shooting at high ISO as long as I don't underexpose the shots.

mwsilver wrote in post #14593076
There are trade offs including a higher pixel count, better results at high ISO, and of course, really great HD video. If video is unimportant, its a much easier decision. For me the larger body, better build and better ergonomics alone would be worth the change. Few people are unhappy with a 50D.

When buying the T3i, I thought I would be doing lots of video but I haven't done anything serious in that regard.

I feel like the Rebel series are toys compared to the xxD series. I would recommend the 50D definitely.

You might miss that LCD that is very sharp on the T3i, not sure if you use live view much but I don't believe the 50D 's LCD is nearly as good. Ergonomically agree the 50D feels better but with a grip on the T3i it feels much better in my opinion. If you crop a lot you may miss the higher pixels. Just some thoughts for you.

I had a 50d and was never that happy with its general IQ. I bought a 550d (t2i) and immediately thought photos were better. I traded up to a 7d from the 50d and am happy with that also. I do know that cost wise that may not be an option. My friend has a 40d and though older I always thought it better performance wise than the 50d. Worth a consideration also may be a 1d mark ii which can be got at a nice enough price now. 8mp enough for most applications

Never consider the 60d?

50D ergonomics make it a much better camera for shooting with bigger lenses. Although you never mentioned what glass you were using.

Between my T2i and 50D, noise performance is slightly better on the T2i, but the 50D is nothing to scoff at either. I've shot no flash, ISO 3200 on my 50D for dance concerts/competitions with no problem (2.8 lens).

joeblack2022 wrote in post #14587501
I am considering moving from my T3i to a 50D. Ideally a straight swap would be nice but I guess it would depend on the condition of the camera.

I mainly shoot sports at the moment and I'm finding the T3i just doesn't cut it at certain times. I'm happy with the IQ but between the AF and the slower burst rate I find I'm missing key moments in games.

The only other thing that is making me reconsider is the high ISO performance. I do try to shoot concerts and I'm not entirely sure about the 50D in that area.

Right now the obvious differences like the swivel screen, wireless flash control, and movie mode are not really important to me. They are more novelties for the moment.

Would appreciate any feedback before I pull the trigger on this one. Thanks!

I did a 7D head to head on a 50D when I first got the 7D a few years ago, you can see the results here
http://teamspeed.smugm​ug.com …q2Cp#!i=6672553​24&k=PXAr5