Considering a Canon EOS 550D - or Should I go for the newer model?

valkia · 11 Oct 2011 at 14:13

Hi All,

looking into getting myself a Canon EOS 550D as i have had a play around with one and really like it. What are your thoughts on the camera? I've read a lot of great reviews and it seem's to be a highly recommended camera. I have seen there are newer models available, would it be worth looking into these - or just more money for not a lot?

Thanks

Clown · 11 Oct 2011 at 14:21

I love mine but I feel I have outgrown it after a few months. I desparately want a fullframe and better low light performance now but perhaps this is just me being greedy. Shooting my street shots when the sun is going down earlier isn't helping me either!

Overall I would say it is a pretty competent camera but I don't really have anything to compare it with.

Samples of my pictures are on my Tumblr / Flickr - http://andrewdashb.tumblr.com/

sunny007 · 11 Oct 2011 at 14:28

Clown said:
I love mine but I feel I have outgrown it after a few months. I desparately want a fullframe and better low light performance now but perhaps this is just me being greedy. Shooting my street shots when the sun is going down earlier isn't helping me either!

Overall I would say it is a pretty competent camera but I don't really have anything to compare it with.

Samples of my pictures are on my Tumblr / Flickr - http://andrewdashb.tumblr.com/

What lens have you got ?

valkia · 11 Oct 2011 at 14:29

Thanks for your reply! The photo's look really nice. Would you say that it includes all the features for professional photography?

Clown · 11 Oct 2011 at 14:32

I don't see why not. The only time I ran out of settings was when it was blazing hot and the sun was beating down. I ran out of shutter speed and ISO because I didn't want to close the aperture. That said, I'm also getting more increasingly frustrated with the noise at higher ISO. Maybe I should learn to embrace it because I have to admit that it does give a 'feel' to it.

I have three lenses; 18-55mm kit lens, 50mm f/1.8 and 135mm f/2.0 L and I am still using them all. I think I want either a 10-22mm or the 24-70mm next. It's likely to be the 24-70 because the wide one is just too niche for me.

Chiz · 11 Oct 2011 at 14:40

I opted for the 550D as the features included in the 600D weren't worth the money (imo).

3dcandy · 11 Oct 2011 at 15:14

Not a great deal in it, unless you go to a 60D but it's a pretty big jump. However, I believe that lens choice is more important than body choice in many situations, so if you can spend less on the body, you can compensate by getting different lenses...your choice!

iamtheoneneo · 11 Oct 2011 at 19:58

60d is a big but nice jump imo not just in build quality but obviously focussing etc...that said good quality lens(es) is important and if you have a restricted budget id go the 550d and good glass then the 60d and kit glass.

oh and dont get kit glass (please) , if anything by body only and stick a 50 1.8 on it.

also check the big sellers on the bay, they sell new stuff real cheap - its not dodgy just that they often remove the lenses from the kits and sell as body only....and well worth the reduced costs.

Clown · 11 Oct 2011 at 20:17

Nothing outstandingly bad about the kit lens. It has decent flexibility and it is good enough to learn the basics with.

reygjabla · 11 Oct 2011 at 20:19

I went with 550D as my first DSLR but I also experimented with some lenses like 17-85 F4.0/5.6 IS USM and the 50mm F1.8. It was a nice learning experience though I only shoot with family and some landscapes mostly in the park. I've now settled with three main lenses for my use and that is 50mm F1.4, 24-70 F2.8 and 70-200 F4.0 IS lenses. The camera is more than capable in the hands of the expert (wished, i'd be one day) for not much more.