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March 04, 2010
[REVIEW—CANON EOS 550D DSLR]
Price: $1350 [body only] $2150 with 18–135mm lens
Good camera, good value
The low-down: This 18 megapixel camera uses a CMOS sensor “almost” the same as the much more expensive Canon 7D. The body bulk and mass are less than the 7D and there is one Digic processor rather than two. The viewfinder is penta mirror not prism. However, for most people all the desirable features of a DSLR are found in the 550D. The high resolution LCD doubles as the function display and turns off when the eye approaches the viewfinder. Quick Control function access, as on the 7D, works well. Push the Q button and most settings can be accessed directly. HD movie mode (1080p) is provided, with a socket for an external microphone. ISO sensitivity goes to a usable 6400. There is live view with face detection. And the camera has auto correction of lens vignetting (darkening at the edges of the frame). Construction is OK, but still a tad plasticky.
Like: High ISO image quality is very good. We shot in an almost dark room at ISO 6400 without any high hopes and found the image perfectly acceptable. Noise reduction is not too aggressive and the high pixel density doesn’t seem to have increased image noise too severely.
Dislike: We found a noticeable difference in image quality between jpeg and RAW files. This is not something to dislike, but it is a warning that it is worth the trouble of shooting RAW. The included RAW converter is excellent.
Verdict: The EOS 550D is an excellent way into the Canon system. It doesn’t have the luxurious feel of the 7D, but then it costs $1300 less for the body. Our test unit came with the Canon 18–135mm lens which is not good enough for the camera. We would recommend buying the body with a better – and, sadly, more expensive – lens.
Posted by terry at March 4, 2010 07:18 AM
Worth Checking Out
Digital Cameras SydneyComments
I just bought Canon 550D and happy with result except the lense comes with it is not good as telephoto lense and telephoto lense coast fortune.All around camera is very good and easy to handle but coast of extra lenses are very expensive.
Posted by: Nirakar Parikh at July 15, 2010 07:40 PM