Rear of camera controls

The layout of the EOS 50D's rear controls is virtually identical to its predecessor's. You'll have to look very closely to spot the only two differences. The 40D's JUMP button has gone and has been replaced with its more customizable FUNC. equvalent. And there's the 'Direct Print' button, which finally gains a useful function by doubling as a live view button.

Shooting mode

Button
Operation
Enter / Leave the Menu

The camera menu is described on the following pages of this review. [clip]
Information

Displays current camera settings / information (two styles are available). [clip]
Picture Style

Displays the Picture Style selection / adjustment screen. [clip]
FUNC.

FUNC button

This button by default takes you to the Live View function settings, however it can be configured to one of five different functions via C.Fn IV-7.

Multi-selector

By default a press of the multi-selector takes you straight into the Quick control screen. However, you can customize it to provide direct selection of AF point via C.Fn III-3 instead.
Quick Control Dial

With the power switch in the third position (one step past ON) the Quick Control Dial can be used to change exposure compensation (steps depend on C.Fn I-1).
SET button

This button by default has no function in shooting mode, however it can be configured to one of four different functions via C.Fn IV-3.

Play mode

Button
Operation
Enter / Leave the Menu

The camera menu is described on the following pages of this review. [clip]

Information

Press to change the type and level of information shown along with the image:

 • Large image + status line (shutter speed, aperture, comp, filename, card)
 • Large image + status line + image size & quality + image number
 • Small image + status line + lum histogram + detailed shooting info
 • Small image + status line + lum histogram + RGB histogram + detailed shooting info

Play

Displays the last image taken (or the last image on the card). The EOS 50D is a shooting priority camera, which means that no matter what is displayed on the rear LCD this will be canceled if any of the camera's photographic functions (example half-pressing the shutter release or AF-ON) are accessed.
Erase

Press to erase the current image, displays an OK / Cancel dialog.
Quick Control Dial

Turn the Quick Control Dial to browse through images (the main dial can be used to jump images).

Lens mount controls

On the side of the lens mount are the final set of camera controls. First is the flash open button, a press of this (in the correct mode) will pop-up the onboard flash. Next down is the lens release button and below this the depth of field preview button which stops the lens down to the indicated / selected aperture to give a preview of DOF in the viewfinder.