550D.... Any good?
Discussion
Looking for a bit of a kit upgrade and i cant seem to get past the 550d for the money.
Has to be canon due to existing lenses.
I'd love a 7d really but the extra cost over the 550d doesnt seem to be justified (apart from the sturdier body of course) But only being an amateur i dont really need a heavy solid lump.
Anything else I should be considering? Any experiences of the 550?
Cheers
Has to be canon due to existing lenses.
I'd love a 7d really but the extra cost over the 550d doesnt seem to be justified (apart from the sturdier body of course) But only being an amateur i dont really need a heavy solid lump.
Anything else I should be considering? Any experiences of the 550?
Cheers
Funnily enough I've just been looking at the same plus alternatives, and the Nikon D90 seems to be way ahead in stills quality - despite the smaller sensor - but is much much poorer when it comes to video.
I've decided to wait to see what the D90 replacement brings as it is rumoured to have a bigger sensor and have full HD video.
ETA http://www.digitalreview.ca/content/Canon-Rebel-T2...
I've decided to wait to see what the D90 replacement brings as it is rumoured to have a bigger sensor and have full HD video.
ETA http://www.digitalreview.ca/content/Canon-Rebel-T2...
Just doing some further research the sensor on the 550d is a 'crop' sensor at 1.6 whereas the 7d is full frame.
I think i get the principals of what that means, but what does it mean in real life scenarios? Is it only relevant on very wide (fisheye) shots?
EDIT: im talking arse, they have the same sensor.
I think i get the principals of what that means, but what does it mean in real life scenarios? Is it only relevant on very wide (fisheye) shots?
EDIT: im talking arse, they have the same sensor.
Edited by KenBlocksPants on Thursday 21st April 17:17
rhinochopig said:
Funnily enough I've just been looking at the same plus alternatives, and the Nikon D90 seems to be way ahead in stills quality - despite the smaller sensor - but is much much poorer when it comes to video.
I've decided to wait to see what the D90 replacement brings as it is rumoured to have a bigger sensor and have full HD video.
ETA http://www.digitalreview.ca/content/Canon-Rebel-T2...
I very much doubt the D90 is "way ahead" in terms of picture quality. In fact i would defy almost anyone to tell the difference between most modern SLR camera's (all the latest Canon crop body cameras right up to th 7d use the same sensor!)I've decided to wait to see what the D90 replacement brings as it is rumoured to have a bigger sensor and have full HD video.
ETA http://www.digitalreview.ca/content/Canon-Rebel-T2...
ETA Kenblockspants - Get the 550d mate, its a great camera, you wont go buy wrong buying any canon at whatever price point you can afford to be honest!
I waded in and bought a 550d in January as my first DSLR and have been loving it ever since. I upgraded the standard 18-55mm lens though as...err...um I got sucked into reading reviews and 'had' to buy a different lens or 2. It was obviously life and death and I had no option....ahem 
Very pleased with it all
Very pleased with it all
KenBlocksPants said:
Just doing some further research the sensor on the 550d is a 'crop' sensor at 1.6 whereas the 7d is full frame.
I think i get the principals of what that means, but what does it mean in real life scenarios? Is it only relevant on very wide (fisheye) shots?
EDIT: im talking arse, they have the same sensor.
Crickey! Good to see you've edited your post.I think i get the principals of what that means, but what does it mean in real life scenarios? Is it only relevant on very wide (fisheye) shots?
EDIT: im talking arse, they have the same sensor.
The 7D has a crop sensor the same as a 550d.
The 7D however has much more options throughout the menus allowing more customisation and control. It also has a much higher frame rate for continuous shooting.
Something that is also worth noting is that a 7D fits my hands much better than a 550. Something worth considering when you try bodies out.
A 550D is much more suited for someone beginning or ready to progress from the bottom ladder of the DSLR markets.
A 7D is a fantastic camera that if you are a beginner can be totally overwhelming or a good challenge depending on your mindset.
I had a hard time choosing between 550D and 50D when I moved from Sony to Canon last year.
The 550D was a bit better at high ISO, which I found impressive considering the high pixel density.
And I also liked the idea of having video, even though I know I would never use it.
But at the end of the day the 50D felt so solid and fit my hands so well that I had to go with it. The 550D felt like a toy by comparison, even though it was very capable. Also, for me micro-focus adjustment is critical.
I haven't regretted my decsion for a second - all the buttons on the 50D fall into place for my hands. I can whizz between settings a lot faster than any other camera I've used.
The 550D was a bit better at high ISO, which I found impressive considering the high pixel density.
And I also liked the idea of having video, even though I know I would never use it.
But at the end of the day the 50D felt so solid and fit my hands so well that I had to go with it. The 550D felt like a toy by comparison, even though it was very capable. Also, for me micro-focus adjustment is critical.
I haven't regretted my decsion for a second - all the buttons on the 50D fall into place for my hands. I can whizz between settings a lot faster than any other camera I've used.
I have a 550d and cant fault it. I have the extra battery mount on it so I can use the hand strap and it is then a good meaty camera. I have taken many images that i am very happy with. Also the canon support has proved excellent, no experience of Nikon but I should think it's just as good.
Just point of note, one of the dads at my daughters school , he is a professional studio phot is considering moving from nikon to canon as he thinks the canon lenses are better, not sure if that is true, but that is his experience.
Just point of note, one of the dads at my daughters school , he is a professional studio phot is considering moving from nikon to canon as he thinks the canon lenses are better, not sure if that is true, but that is his experience.
Zaxxon said:
Just point of note, one of the dads at my daughters school , he is a professional studio phot is considering moving from nikon to canon as he thinks the canon lenses are better, not sure if that is true, but that is his experience.
Strange you say that as a cousin of mine who is head of art at a private school in Somerset somewhere said something very similar. He does a lot of photography and was getting more than a little cheesed off with Nikon, and is thinking of selling up and heading to Canon.jimmy156 said:
I very much doubt the D90 is "way ahead" in terms of picture quality. In fact i would defy almost anyone to tell the difference between most modern SLR camera's (all the latest Canon crop body cameras right up to th 7d use the same sensor!)
ETA Kenblockspants - Get the 550d mate, its a great camera, you wont go buy wrong buying any canon at whatever price point you can afford to be honest!
I've not used either only going on some opinions and the reviews I've read. That said, the pictures in the review I linked show a definite (to my eyes) advantage to the Nikon.ETA Kenblockspants - Get the 550d mate, its a great camera, you wont go buy wrong buying any canon at whatever price point you can afford to be honest!
However, the problem is that from my outsider view - mine will be my first SLR - photography is THE most fan-boy hobby there is. Trying to find a balanced view of Nikon vs Canon is akin to asking who is best Jesus or Mohammed.
rhinochopig said:
However, the problem is that from my outsider view - mine will be my first SLR - photography is THE most fan-boy hobby there is. Trying to find a balanced view of Nikon vs Canon is akin to asking who is best Jesus or Mohammed.
I'm Canon, but in these cases I've always said - buy whatever your friends have.It's very simply that photography is a hobby that you can share with friends, but you can only do that if you are running the same kit. Last weekend a friend of mine used my Tokina UWA whilst another friend had lent me a Sigma Fisheye for a couple of weeks. I might need to borrow a 300mm next weekend so I do have a couple of people I can ask.
If you are running different kit, then you simply can't do that. Also, dunno why, but when Canon and Nikon users meet each other, they stare blankly at each other. It's a bit like walking into a gay bar if you are straight. No matter what happens you will feel uncomfortable, will keep your back to the wall and won't drink much as that involves going to the bogs. You will feel out of place.
(Obviously, in this example the Nikon users are the gay ones
).I was upgrading from a 400d a while back and was seriously looking at the 550d but decided with a 7d for the reasons of the customisation, feel of the body, remote flash capabilities and the limited weather proofing it offers. These things aside though, the two cameras are very similar. If I didn't have a 7d budget I would definitely own a 550d, I think it is one of the best value cameras on the Market personally.
Another thing to consider is weight and bulk of kit. I've had a 40D (v similar size & weight to 50D) in the past, which I loved, but it was just too heavy and bulky for carrying around all the time. I especially found this to be annoying on holiday. I sold this gear and bought and now have a 550D. Yes it misses out on a few functions, but due to the smaller size and weight it fits in a smaller bag and I feel happier taking it places.
The 550D has more than enough creative flexibility to keep me happy and so far I have not been left wishing I had kept the 40D. At the end of the day it's all about doing what you enjoy - taking photos - and for me I'm now doing more of that as I take my camera with me more.
Not something that would bother all photographers, but worth bearing mind.
The 550D has more than enough creative flexibility to keep me happy and so far I have not been left wishing I had kept the 40D. At the end of the day it's all about doing what you enjoy - taking photos - and for me I'm now doing more of that as I take my camera with me more.
Not something that would bother all photographers, but worth bearing mind.
Edited by pstruck on Friday 22 April 09:54
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