Not meaning to argue like a DPR forum equipment-measurebating fanboi, but I find this section of the 500D review discussing the AF a bit odd:



I humored myself by shooting a youth soccer match with the T1i. As expected (based on my experiences with the other Rebel models), I threw away a high-90-some percent of the images of players running toward the camera because they were OOF (Out of Focus). The Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens I was using is easily up to this task, but the Rebel AF system, even using the f/2.8 cross-type center point-only, is not. If you are shooting sports with a T1i, setup for shooting stills and action that remains a constant distance from the camera. Better yet, step up to one of the higher Canon EOS model lines.




Isn't the 500D using the same AF module as the 450D, 400D, 20D & 30D? [*-)] Here's the review for the exact-same 9-pt. AF on the other cameras:


450D: The DIGIC III processor gives the XSi / 450D's AF system an approximately 30% speed improvement over the XTi / 400D. In addition, the XSi / 450D is also able to recognize a larger amount of defocus with its slightly longer vertical component of the center focus point.


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Putting numbers on the realized advantages between the three AF systems I've discussed here is not easy - and it will depend a lot on what the camera is used for. Single Shot AF is working very well and I'm getting many very nice shots in AI Servo mode tracking action. I am certain that I am getting better results with the XSi / 450D than I got from the XTi / 400D... All said, the XSi / 450D gives us a very competent autofocusing system - it is excellent for the price.


400D: The Canon EOS Rebel XTi / 400D has inherited the 30D's high-precision 9-point autofocus unit. A sophisticated dual-precision/cross-type sensor in the center AF position is supported when f/2.8 or wider lenses are used. Focusing performance under low light has been improved by 1 stop (EV -0.5). My experienced focus hit rate has been very good with this lens - including the results from sports action at several soccer matches. The AF improvements are very welcomed.


30D: The Canon EOS 30D shares many of the 20D's excellent specs and features including the same 8.2 MP CMOS sensor, DIGIC II Image processor, 5 fps fast continuous shooting, high-precision 9 point AF (Auto Focus) system, viewfinder and a durable magnesium alloy body. These are the same core components that delivered the excellent performance from and image quality of the EOS 20D.

20D: The Canon EOS 20D seems to have cleared up this issue. Autofocus is both fast and accurate. Although the Canon EOS 1D Mark II is still superior for focus speed, I'm impressed with this upgraded feature on the 20D - it is excellent for a non 1-Series camera body.


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The 9 focus points employed by the Canon EOS 20D are a nice upgrade from the 10D's 7 focus points, but not close to the 1D Mark II's 45 points. I missed some of the focus points when utilizing AI Servo to track action at a recent soccer match. I sacrificed my framing slightly to get the focus correct. And as I said before, focus accuracy is very good. My hit rate is noticeably higher with the 20D than with the 10D.


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So my point is, ifthe AFwas good on the semi-pro 20D & 30D & previous Rebels, shouldn't the same module perform the same (at the very least) or better on the 500D due to the newer and faster DiGICIV and (presumably) improvedAFalgorithms? I'm just wondering why it suddenly turned "unusable in sports" when I never heard the same complaints when the 20D & 30D were, in their time, the semi-pro cams that were often used for sports/action by those who can't afford the 1-series. Thanks in advance for anyone who can give an explanation or their experience with these bodies that the same AF module.