This idea of 'pixel binning' (grouping pixels to increase ISO range) is really the height of stupidity. Ok, so their sensor department can't match Nikon, why go ahead and make it more embarrassing? Pushing ISO to 12800, you then lose 75% of the detail! This idea really is craziness.

The 50d body looks almost identical to 40d and weighs only 730g, 10g less than the 40d. The weather sealing claims will (as I predict) turn into a laughable joke. I say that with complete confidence. The D300 is BUILT as we know. It weighs a good 825g without the battery. This says something. It's a good measure of the superior build quality (even without any other information). 50d also has a 100,000 shutter durability only. Sorry this one is another toy in comparison.

The 50d layout is the same as the 40d! The too small buttons in the wrong places, and still no change, still got the scene modes and again the print button! Why insult your potential customers like this? In camera menu settings hardly changed but they did manage to copy the AF fine tune! Auto ISO? a big joke! only goes to 1600 - why?! The AF system?? the same stupid 9 point AF! what is this department doing? Nikon release a king AF system for the ages about a year ago and these guys still haven't made a change yet! Also the viewfinder looks the same and still only 95%.

After a year of trying to catch up, they are still miles behind. And in that time Nikon have pressed even further forward with new technologies such as HD video with sound on the D90. Now if this 50d is really going to cost $1,399 it begs the question, who (in their right mind) will actually PAY for it?? The D300 can be purchased now online for $1,450. And someone mentioned the D90 with 18-105 VR will only cost only $1,299. This camera is going to be another flop, unless they drop it to around $1,100.