The Canon EOS 500D (Rebel T1i / Kiss X3) was a milestone camera: the first Canon DSLR to record Full HD 1080p video. It carries a 100,000-actuation mechanical shutter rating. Like all Canon consumer CR2 DSLRs, the count is not stored in the RAW file — it requires a direct USB connection to read.
Check Shutter Count →The Canon EOS 500D (2009) introduced Full HD 1080p video at 20/24/25/30 fps to the Rebel line — a first for any Canon consumer DSLR and a pivotal moment for low-budget filmmakers. The 15.1 MP APS-C sensor (an upgrade from the 12.2 MP in the 450D) delivered improved high-ISO performance, and the DIGIC 4 processor handled both still RAW capture and the new video modes.
The mechanical shutter is rated at 100,000 actuations, identical to the outgoing 450D. Canon does not embed shutter count in CR2 files for consumer DSLRs — the counter is accessible only via USB PTP.
| Model | Release | Sensor | Rated Shutter Life | RAW Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EOS 500D (Rebel T1i) | 2009 | 15.1 MP APS-C | 100,000 | CR2 |
| Canon EOS 450D (Rebel XSi) (predecessor) | 2008 | 12.2 MP APS-C | 100,000 | CR2 |
| Canon EOS 550D (Rebel T2i) (successor) | 2010 | 18 MP APS-C | 100,000 | CR2 |
| Canon EOS 50D (prosumer sibling) | 2008 | 15.1 MP APS-C | 100,000 | CR2 |
gphoto2 --get-config /main/status/shuttercounter. This reads the live hardware counter directly and is the most reliable free method.The 500D was released in 2009, so used examples are typically 15+ years old. Beyond the shutter count, check the sensor for dust, the mirror damper for degradation, and the video recording capability — HDMI output and the headphone-less audio input are quirks to be aware of on this body.
| Actuation Count | % of Rated Life | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 5,000 | 0 – 5 % | Very low use — near new |
| 5,000 – 30,000 | 5 – 30 % | Low use |
| 30,000 – 60,000 | 30 – 60 % | Moderate use — normal for active shooters |
| 60,000 – 85,000 | 60 – 85 % | High use — negotiate price |
| 85,000 + | 85 %+ | Near or past rated life — shutter replacement likely |
The 500D's 15.1 MP sensor was the same unit used in the semi-professional 50D, delivering strong image quality for its class. ISO range extended from 100 to 3200 (expandable to 12800), which was competitive in 2009.
The 9-point AF system with a single centre cross-type sensor was unchanged from the 450D but adequate for the camera's still-photography tasks. The 3-inch LCD was a slight size upgrade over the 450D's display and added Live View contrast-detect AF, which was slow but functional.
The 500D uses the LP-E5 battery, shared with the 450D and 1000D. Replacement batteries are inexpensive and widely available. All Canon EF and EF-S lenses mount directly on the body.
Canon consumer DSLRs store the shutter count only as an internal hardware counter, not in the CR2 EXIF or MakerNote data. This is a deliberate design choice that applies to all Rebel and xxxD bodies. Only Canon professional 1D and 1Ds cameras embed the count directly in their CR2 files.
Yes. The Canon EOS 500D is sold as the Rebel T1i in North America and the Kiss X3 in Japan. All three regional names refer to identical hardware.
The 500D was succeeded by the Canon EOS 550D (Rebel T2i) in 2010, which added an 18 MP sensor, 1080p at 30 fps (improving on the 500D's 20 fps cap), and a fully articulating vari-angle LCD — absent on the 500D. For modern alternatives, the Canon EOS 250D (Rebel SL3) is the current entry-level DSLR, while the EOS R50 covers mirrorless.