Canon 550D info wanted
Discussion
cannedheat said:
It also has autofocus ability whilst taking vids which, I believe, the 500D doesn't??!
Yes, but not continuous. Also "everyone" recommends manual focus for video due to lens motor noise being picked up (unless you've got an external mic I guess).I got my 550D about 6 weeks ago to replace my rather ageing 300D and simply couldn't believe the difference. The sheer speed of it, coupled with incredible exposure control is quite simply a joy to use. Video takes some getting used to, but the results are amazing, e.g. my first attempt http://vimeo.com/12203202
I bought mine online from DigitalRev (HK based). Got delayed because of the ash cloud, but no problems at all otherwise. Only sign it's not a UK model is the photocopied manual!
Ask away if there's anything specific you want to know...
Cheers
Not had the 550 that long but..
I bought it for the HD video side of things and all things considered i'm impressed. Messed about with it with a friend of mine that runs a production company (small music promos, corporates etc) that uses 5dmk2 and 7d occasionally and it compared favourably. It has its limitations but the look from the video is very nice. Im using Pinnacle to edit in. Only ever manual focus so im not bothered about the motor noise, besides i wouldnt be using audio from the built in mic anyway.
Stills... I've found a reasonably large number of stills from this camera have what critics of the old Kodak 14n/SLRn used to refer to as a painterly quality to them, a slight watercolour look when viewed at 100%, just thinkgs like fine detail in leaves and branches that kind of thing. Looks like noise reduction at work if you ask me, even at 100iso sometimes. Not too much of an issue as its only when 100% but ifyour a tech junkie then you;l lbe bothered, if you enjoy photography for photographys sake you wont.
I still use my 5D for portraits and in fact most things as I much prefer the files i get from it, but like i said I bought hte 550 for video and havent regretted it. At 18mp a steady hand and/or fast shutter speed is required to eliminate camera shake.
Horses for courses.
If theres one thing ive learnt over the years with digital cameras though, it's don't take someone elses word for it, and especially not review websites, get you hands on one in a shop that will allow you to run off a few shots on your own card and at least get some idea for yourself or rent one. The amount of reviews for some cameras ive owned that I cannot possibly understand how they came to the conclusions they did is ridiculous. I now ignore them and get on with using my equipment and if i need someting new, I definately formulate my own opinion.
I bought it for the HD video side of things and all things considered i'm impressed. Messed about with it with a friend of mine that runs a production company (small music promos, corporates etc) that uses 5dmk2 and 7d occasionally and it compared favourably. It has its limitations but the look from the video is very nice. Im using Pinnacle to edit in. Only ever manual focus so im not bothered about the motor noise, besides i wouldnt be using audio from the built in mic anyway.
Stills... I've found a reasonably large number of stills from this camera have what critics of the old Kodak 14n/SLRn used to refer to as a painterly quality to them, a slight watercolour look when viewed at 100%, just thinkgs like fine detail in leaves and branches that kind of thing. Looks like noise reduction at work if you ask me, even at 100iso sometimes. Not too much of an issue as its only when 100% but ifyour a tech junkie then you;l lbe bothered, if you enjoy photography for photographys sake you wont.
I still use my 5D for portraits and in fact most things as I much prefer the files i get from it, but like i said I bought hte 550 for video and havent regretted it. At 18mp a steady hand and/or fast shutter speed is required to eliminate camera shake.
Horses for courses.
If theres one thing ive learnt over the years with digital cameras though, it's don't take someone elses word for it, and especially not review websites, get you hands on one in a shop that will allow you to run off a few shots on your own card and at least get some idea for yourself or rent one. The amount of reviews for some cameras ive owned that I cannot possibly understand how they came to the conclusions they did is ridiculous. I now ignore them and get on with using my equipment and if i need someting new, I definately formulate my own opinion.
Pints said:
Given the various upgrades, is it worth the extra cost over the 450D if you're not planning on many sports shots and if you're unlikely to be buying it for the video capabilities?
I think you can only get an answer for that if you can indicate what it is about the performance of the 450 that you feel you would like to improve on.LongQ said:
Pints said:
Given the various upgrades, is it worth the extra cost over the 450D if you're not planning on many sports shots and if you're unlikely to be buying it for the video capabilities?
I think you can only get an answer for that if you can indicate what it is about the performance of the 450 that you feel you would like to improve on.Since I don't really know what performance on the 450D needs improving, I don't know if any upgrades are worth the extra dosh.
Pints said:
LongQ said:
Pints said:
Given the various upgrades, is it worth the extra cost over the 450D if you're not planning on many sports shots and if you're unlikely to be buying it for the video capabilities?
I think you can only get an answer for that if you can indicate what it is about the performance of the 450 that you feel you would like to improve on.Since I don't really know what performance on the 450D needs improving, I don't know if any upgrades are worth the extra dosh.
Never an easy one to answer.
the mpost obvious differences between the 450D and the 550D are that the internal processor is enhanced, capabilites are expanded somewhat, the sensor is a lot larger and the 550 has video.
In between those two bodies you have the 500D, whch also has video.
If you compare all 3 on the Canon web site the differences, but even more the similarities, are apparent.
Which is where it gets difficult. If you really want video forget the 450 and compare the 500D and 550D.
If you don't really want video .... then all 3 are in the mix and the comparison of features is important for guidance then again the Canon website may help.
If price is more important than video than maybe compare the 450 and 500, but to some extent it all depends on where you think you might go with this in the future.
The video premium on the price seems quite high on the 550D if you don't actually care much whether it has it or not. But in general Canon cameras to offer a fairly steady progession of benefits.
XG332 said:
Jessops do the 450 with 18-55 and a canon 55-300 lens at a good price.
A colloeague got this recently and is very happy, but that's from someone who'd likely be equally happy with a compact so I take that feedback with a pinch of salt.I've currently got the Canon Powershot S3 which has the video feature, so I don't feel that I have to have that feature on a DSLR. I've done a side-by-side comparison of the 450 and 550 (500 seems to not be as popular, so I discounted it fairly early on - perhaps wrongly?) using DCResource.com.
While the 550D almost always looks better on paper, it's a very different thing whether it's actually worth the extra when it's your own money (always the way!)
Considering it's just going to be for personal family use, the occassional PH meet and generally giving me the chance to explore my creative side on weekends when not stuck behind a spreadsheet.
I feel like I'm answering my own question here - the 450D will suit me just fine.
LongQ said:
the mpost obvious differences between the 450D and the 550D are that the internal processor is enhanced, capabilites are expanded somewhat, the sensor is a lot larger and the 550 has video.
In between those two bodies you have the 500D, whch also has video.
If you compare all 3 on the Canon web site the differences, but even more the similarities, are apparent.
Which is where it gets difficult. If you really want video forget the 450 and compare the 500D and 550D.
If you don't really want video .... then all 3 are in the mix and the comparison of features is important for guidance then again the Canon website may help.
If price is more important than video than maybe compare the 450 and 500, but to some extent it all depends on where you think you might go with this in the future.
The video premium on the price seems quite high on the 550D if you don't actually care much whether it has it or not. But in general Canon cameras to offer a fairly steady progession of benefits.
If it were me, I wouldn't bother looking at the 500D.In between those two bodies you have the 500D, whch also has video.
If you compare all 3 on the Canon web site the differences, but even more the similarities, are apparent.
Which is where it gets difficult. If you really want video forget the 450 and compare the 500D and 550D.
If you don't really want video .... then all 3 are in the mix and the comparison of features is important for guidance then again the Canon website may help.
If price is more important than video than maybe compare the 450 and 500, but to some extent it all depends on where you think you might go with this in the future.
The video premium on the price seems quite high on the 550D if you don't actually care much whether it has it or not. But in general Canon cameras to offer a fairly steady progession of benefits.
If you don't want video, then go with the 450D (I have one and love it). If you do want video, then go with the 550D. Why the hell would you want the 500D to record HD video, coupled with mono sound from the built in mic and no option to plug in an external mic? Seems kind of like sticking cross-ply tyres on a supercar?
Pints said:
XG332 said:
Jessops do the 450 with 18-55 and a canon 55-300 lens at a good price.
A colloeague got this recently and is very happy, but that's from someone who'd likely be equally happy with a compact so I take that feedback with a pinch of salt.I've currently got the Canon Powershot S3 which has the video feature, so I don't feel that I have to have that feature on a DSLR. I've done a side-by-side comparison of the 450 and 550 (500 seems to not be as popular, so I discounted it fairly early on - perhaps wrongly?) using DCResource.com.
While the 550D almost always looks better on paper, it's a very different thing whether it's actually worth the extra when it's your own money (always the way!)
Considering it's just going to be for personal family use, the occassional PH meet and generally giving me the chance to explore my creative side on weekends when not stuck behind a spreadsheet.
I feel like I'm answering my own question here - the 450D will suit me just fine.
I too have an S3 IS but rarely remember it has a video feature. The video is not bad but nothing like one could get from the 550Dandinterchangable lenses. On the other hand if I never really use it I wouldn't want to pay a premium for the video feature!
450D retail prices seem to be holding up more strongly than I expected, presumably because Canon's price increases 18 months or so ago seem to have taken root and the higher prices for the newer models have helped spread the market.
It's always helpful to be able to bounce one's thoughts around amongst others as a way of checking your decision making. Sounds like a good call.
I'm looking for something I can use for taking pics at trackdays / taking pictures of my kids at matches / taking pictures of anything cool I want to take a picture of / videoing some or all of the above / etc.
Basically I want a pretty universal camera.
Thanks for the advice folks.
Now I'm (a bit) more clear of where I'm going.
I think the spec of the 550D for the cost of it will mean it should last me for quiet a while and keep me busy trying to figure out all the features of it.
Basically I want a pretty universal camera.
Thanks for the advice folks.
Now I'm (a bit) more clear of where I'm going.
I think the spec of the 550D for the cost of it will mean it should last me for quiet a while and keep me busy trying to figure out all the features of it.
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