Canon EOS 550D

Canon has unveiled the latest in its long line of 'Rebel' consumer digital SLRs the EOS 550D

* 18 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
* DIGIC 4 processor with ISO 100-6400 (Expansion to 12800)
* Continuous shooting at 3.7fps
* Full HD movie recording with manual control and selectable frame rates
* 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 Clear View LCD with 1,040k dots
* iFCL metering System with 63-zone Dual-layer Metering Sensor
* Quick Control screen to change shooting settings
* Exposure compensation +/-5 stops.
* Select maximum value for Auto ISO
* External Microphone socket
* Movie crop function
* Eye-Fi connected functions compatibility

As before Canon isn't officially 'replacing' the EOS 500D with the new 550D, and for the foreseeable future the EOS 550D will sit in the range between the EOS 500D and the EOS 7D (ignoring for the moment the additional confusion of the EOS 50D, which the new camera out-specs in some areas).

As well as a boost from 15 to an EOS 7D-matching 18 megapixels (it's not the same sensor, though it is apparently 'very similar'), the EOS 550D gets a non-crippled full HD movie mode (1920 x 1080 at up to 30 fps, 720P at 60/50 fps, manual controls, external mic socket), upgraded metering and a smattering of smaller (but no less welcome) improvements.

Nice one - full HD recording will be a big reason people get it I reckon!

Thanks for the info Phil

I was saving for the 50D.
Is this going to better? or lower spec overall?
Any idea on price yet?

I think in some ways it does 'out-spec' the 50D but that's it's not unusual for this to happen. I've not read a great deal about it to be honest but asuming it's a continuation of the 300D, 350D, 400D, 450D & 500D I suspect the 550D will be smaller, lighter and more plastic than the 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D range which in terms of build quality are bigger, heavier, magnesium alloy bodies, weather sealed etc etc. The 40D (6.5 fps) 50D (6.3fps) are also able to fire off quicker bursts than the 550D (3.7fps).

I think it's £799 for the body.

Not sure what plans they have inbetween the 550D and 7D. Even If there's not much of a gap in the spec I would think there must be a a gap for a 60D.

Which is about the same price as the 50D isn't it?
So we are looking at slightly better spec but in a less robust body for the same kind of money.

I guess it depends on how you define spec but that's the general rule of thumb when a lower model is updated before a higher model.

Just been reading a little more about it:
http://www.dpreview.com/previews/CanonEOS550D/
They describe it as a baby 7D

I'm liking the look of this - especially as it has video.
I'll be keeping on eye on how it is received when it is released.
I think it would be a good upgrade from my 300D!

Its already available to preorder at Jessops etc and is slightly more expensive than the 50D.

A review comparing it to the 7D:

http://www.digitalrev.com/en/canon-e...4-article.html

Very interesting! I'm always so tempted by Canon... then remember that I have Nikon and can't afford to have both!

xx

A comparison of features with the 50D:


I have read mixed reviews so I am still not sure whether to go for the 550D or the 50D.