50 and 16 are correct, as is very clearly stated on this link http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2008/en/us/editions-compare.aspx . The 50/50 referenced in the MSDN link is for the maximums for SQL Server 2008 for 32 bit and 64 bit, no mention of which edition.
Here is the title row of that table:
"SQL Server Database Engine object" "Maximum sizes/numbers SQL Server (32-bit)" "Maximum sizes/numbers SQL Server (64-bit)"
Unfortunately the system told me I was wrong so I don't get the point for the correct answer, but I believe I get one for a post. So I guess it evens out...sort of.
Alvin Ramard (5/18/2009)
zzx375 (5/18/2009)
Perhaps I am confused or simply don't understand the question or have a bad reference source.The whitepaper "SQL Server Consolidation with SQL Server 2008"
Writer: Martin Ellis
Reviewer: Prem Mehra,Lindsey Allen, Tiffany Wissner, Sambit Samal
Published: March 2009
Applies to: SQL Server 2008
page ten, lists
EditionMaximum instances
SQL Server 2008 Standard 16*
SQL Server 2008 Enterprise50*
*Depending upon available system resources and workload
Check out the link below. It's the one referenced in the answer. It states both Enterprise and Standard can handle 50.