Canon EOS 550D Digital SLR Camera
Product Description
The EOS 550D redefines the boundaries of Canon’s consumer DSLR range, incorporating technologies and features more commonly found in semiÂprofessional DSLRs into the compact, lightweight body favoured by consumers. With a newlyÂdeveloped 18 Megapixel (MP) APS-C CMOS sensor, coupled with Canon’s advanced DIGIC 4 image processor and the ability to shoot Full HD movies, photography enthusiasts are empowered to explore new levels of creativity. The EOS 550D makes Canon’s powerful imaging technology more accessible to consumers. Canon’s advanced DIGIC 4 image processor and 18MP sensor support standard ISO settings of 100 Â 6400 (expandable to 12800), while enhanced inÂcamera noise reduction technology boosts performance in low light conditions. The system’s 14Âbit image processing also produces smoother tonal gradation and natural looking colours for high quality prints and on-screen display.
For swift and accurate focusing, the EOS 550D features a 9Âpoint AF system with one extraÂsensitive crossÂtype point at the centre for f/2.8 or faster lenses. The EOS 550D also supports highÂspeed, continuous shooting at 3.7 frames per second (fps). These features provide users with the opportunity to exert greater control over their images, allowing them to capture splitÂsecond moments with ease and accuracy.
- 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
- 7.7 cm (3.0 inch) 3:2 Clear View LCD with 1,040k dots
I previously owned a Canon 400D dSLR and a Canon HF100 HD camcorder. In short the 550D blows them both out of the water for what I use it for – which is predominantly a family camera for photographing and filming the kids. The 18mp resolution is a little unnecessary in my book, but it’s definitely useful for when you need to crop a shot – you can crop and awful lot and still end up with a decent resolution photo. Then main advantages it has over the 400D (for me at least) are that the menu’s are vastly improved, the low light real-world shooting is much better and the body it’s self just feels a little more solid and nicer to hold and use (the button placement has been very well thought out for such a small camera).
Compared to the HF100, the HD videos the 550D shoots are (in terms of visual quality) stunning, and I can’t see myself going back to using a regular camcorder any time soon. OK so it’s no as use friendly as a camcorder would be but if you’re not scared of using manual focus all the time and don’t need to shoot anything for more than 12 minutes continuously (the HD video limit for all today’s dSLRs I think), the 550D shoots very very nice looking videos. What surprised me was the sound quality – it was a lot better than I expected it to be! It’s on par with the sound my HF100 used to take anyway. I was expecting it to be very tinny or ‘cheap’ sounding as I’d read the audio from the inbuilt mic’s on the 500D and 7D’s mic’s are, but it’s not at all bad and fine for home movies. It’s mono, not stereo, and the mic pics up any taps and buzzes the camera makes, but as long as you’re careful while handling the camera when filming it’s not a problem at all.
As this was the 550D Body Only I got, I got the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lens to use an an ‘everyday’ lens to go with it. This is an excellent little lens for the money. After mainly using a Canon 50mm f/1.8 on my 400D for the last couple of years but commonly feeling the need for a slightly wider angle, I really wanted another fast prime lens, and I read a lot of good things about the Sigma – all of which have so far shown true. Compared to the Canon 50mm f/1.8, the Sigma 30mm is much, much more solid lens and ‘feels’ like a better product. The sharpness is spot on (i’m sure some Canon L lenses are way better, but who really looks at photos zoomed in at 100% anyway) and the f/1.4 comes in very handy. I was unsure whether to get this lens or something like the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 for it’s zoom range – but I’m glad I got this little Sigma prime. I imagine it’ll be on my camera 90% of the time and so far it’s focusing and build quality have blown me away. The weight of the 550D + Sigma 30mm makes for a good solid SLR camera to carry around all day.
Rating: 5 / 5