Canon EOS 500D

We review a specific unit of the Canon EOS 500D, a 2009 APS-C DSLR that now sells for under 100 euros. Excellent condition, no accessories, and a proposition that still makes sense for anyone wanting to get started.

The Canon EOS 500D is one of those cameras that defined a specific era: the transition between the pure entry-level DSLR and the DSLR that was already trying to shoot video. Launched in 2009 as the successor to the 450D, for a couple of years it was the natural gateway into the EOS system for enthusiasts who wanted something more than a compact. Today, fifteen years later, it still shows up on the second-hand market at prices that invite you to try it without risking too much.

This specific unit has been through our verification workshop and arrives in a condition worth detailing. It’s not a collector’s piece, but it’s not a junk-drawer relic either. It’s a camera that has lived and is still perfectly usable.

Data for this unit

The absence of shutter and battery data is common in units of this generation: not all reading tools work with older bodies, and in this case we haven’t been able to extract that information. What we do have is the physical assessment: the body shows wear consistent with its age, with no structural impacts or visible damage to the screen or mount. The overall condition has been classified as excellent within what can be expected from equipment of this type.

No accessories are included: no charger, no spare battery, no strap. That’s a point to keep in mind when calculating the real cost of getting up and running.

The model in general

The EOS 500D has a 15-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, with an ISO range from 100 to 3200 (expandable to 12800). For its time that was a respectable figure, and today it still produces RAW files with enough recovery latitude if you work at low ISOs. From 1600 upward, noise appears clearly and fine detail suffers, which is to be expected from a sensor of this generation.

The autofocus system is Canon’s classic 9-point setup in this range, with a cross-type center point that is the only truly reliable one in low light. The eight peripheral points work, but don’t ask for miracles. In manual focus, the optical viewfinder — small and with 95% coverage — doesn’t help: it’s one of the areas where the passage of time shows most.

The ergonomics are typical of Canon’s entry-level series: compact body, decent grip for medium hands, and controls you learn in an afternoon. The 3-inch, 920,000-dot rear screen was a notable novelty in 2009, and it’s still legible today, though it isn’t touch-sensitive or articulated. Video, for its part, tops out at 1080p at 20 fps and 720p at 30 fps, with manual focus mandatory in practice: contrast-detect AF is slow and noisy.

What works

The first thing that stands out when you pick up this unit is that everything is where it should be. The dials turn with the right resistance, the buttons respond without play, and the mount has no wobble. On a camera of this age, that’s no small thing: many units that pass through the market carry contact problems in the dials or card-reading issues.

The sensor, within its limits, still delivers. At ISO 100 and 200 the files are clean and well-defined for 15 megapixels. Auto white balance is reasonable in natural light, and RAW lets you correct deviations without excessive degradation. For street photography, occasional portraits, or learning, the performance is more than sufficient.

Compatibility with the EF and EF-S mount is probably the strongest argument in favor of this camera today. Any Canon lens from the last three decades can be mounted without adapters, and that opens up a wide range of second-hand glass at very restrained prices.

What weighs it down over the years

Not everything is favorable. The optical viewfinder is small and dark, and that conditions the experience, especially if you’re coming from more modern cameras or full-coverage EVFs. Focusing manually with precision is tricky, and relying on the center point becomes a habit.

Video is the other pending subject. Shooting at 1080p and 20 fps feels awkward today, and the absence of usable continuous AF greatly limits its use. Anyone looking for a camera for video, even occasional video, will find more sensible options in the same price range on the second-hand market.

The fixed screen also shows: for tricky angles you have to fall back on the viewfinder or improvise. And the lack of modern connectivity — no WiFi, no Bluetooth — means you have to go through an SD card to transfer files.

Who is this unit for?

This specific unit fits three profiles well. First, someone who wants to get into photography with a real DSLR, learn to handle aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, and not spend more than necessary. Second, someone who already has Canon EF or EF-S lenses at home and is looking for a cheap body to put them to use. Third, someone who wants a second camera to carry around without worrying too much about it.

We wouldn’t recommend it for video, nor for anyone who needs a comfortable viewfinder or wireless connectivity. Nor for anyone looking for a lightweight body: the 500D weighs a fair amount with any lens mounted.

Verdict

The Canon EOS 500D was a good camera in its day and remains a functional camera today, as long as you understand what it is and what it isn’t. This specific unit, with a B grade and excellent overall condition, sits within the model’s usual price range on the second-hand market. It doesn’t include accessories, so you have to add the cost of a battery and charger if you don’t have them.

For anyone wanting to start in photography on a tight budget and who doesn’t mind working with the limitations of a 2009 camera, it’s a reasonable option. For anyone looking for video, a comfortable viewfinder, or modern features, there are better alternatives for just a little more.