Canon 550D or 50D?

snappyfish · 22 Dec 2010 at 11:41

Hi I originally wanted a 550D but Ive read some reviews about 50D being comparable apart from lack of video which to be honest not sure how much I would really use.

But would like to know what you guys and girls think with regards to getting one or the other? :cool:

ScarySquirrel · 22 Dec 2010 at 12:49

Personally I'd go for a 40D, and put the extra cash saved over the 50D towards some other gear, like a new lens, or accessories.

I'm not an expert on the 40D or 50D, but as I understand it there isn't a huge amount of difference between the two.

FreeStream · 22 Dec 2010 at 12:51

ScarySquirrel said:
Personally I'd go for a 40D, and put the extra cash saved over the 50D towards some other gear, like a new lens, or accessories.

I'm not an expert on the 40D or 50D, but as I understand it there isn't a huge amount of difference between the two.

This.

40D is a very capable camera still for the money, then buy a tamron 17-50 F2.8 and you will beat anything a 550D will be able to produce!

snappyfish · 22 Dec 2010 at 13:31

Concorde Rules said:
This.

40D is a very capable camera still for the money, then buy a tamron 17-50 F2.8 and you will beat anything a 550D will be able to produce!

So if I went for a 40D or 50D Is there anything I would miss out in not getting the 550D Apart from Video???

FreeStream · 22 Dec 2010 at 15:16

gary_0928 said:
So if I went for a 40D or 50D Is there anything I would miss out in not getting the 550D Apart from Video???

Nothing worth mentioning to be honest.

You gain better build quality with the 40D and 50D, and the IQ between the 40D and 50D is negligible.

Remember lenses make more of an impact.

A 350D (£100) + 17-55 (£700) WILL take better pictures than a 550D + 18-55 IS (£650 IIRC).

Bit of a dodgy example but you get what I mean

snappyfish · 22 Dec 2010 at 16:15

Concorde Rules said:
Nothing worth mentioning to be honest.

You gain better build quality with the 40D and 50D, and the IQ between the 40D and 50D is negligible.

Remember lenses make more of an impact.

A 350D (£100) + 17-55 (£700) WILL take better pictures than a 550D + 18-55 IS (£650 IIRC).

Bit of a dodgy example but you get what I mean

Yer of course lenses make all the difference. Just you know what its like when something new comes along.

Rojin · 22 Dec 2010 at 16:33

The 40D\50D are completely different to handle than the 550D which is a much smaller camera. This in itself may sway your decision in one direction or another...

snappyfish · 22 Dec 2010 at 17:04

Rojin said:
The 40D\50D are completely different to handle than the 550D which is a much smaller camera. This in itself may sway your decision in one direction or another...

Well this will be my first SLR and the strange thing is I actually quite like the smaller feel of the body. But People say its not as well made although I've seen videos where they have done tests and it stood up fairly well. Also reason for swaying towards a newer model is if I dont take to this hopefully it will hold value well.

Rojin · 22 Dec 2010 at 17:27

The rebel XXXD bodies do tend to lose money quicker than the XXD. You could probably buy a 40D body only second hand for around £350 and still sell it for not much less in 6 months. Burst speed and AF will also be improved on the XXD bodies. The 550D is a fine little camera, I started off with a 500D and with a grip it handled nicely. I moved on though as I wanted the improved AF performance other bodies provide.

Rojin · 22 Dec 2010 at 17:27

snappyfish · 22 Dec 2010 at 20:09

I was also drawn to 550d because of its low light and hi light performance as mentioned in a review. As a fisherman I'm often photographing catches early morning and evening so am I right in thinking its a good choice for that?

FreeStream · 23 Dec 2010 at 00:25

gary_0928 said:
I was also drawn to 550d because of its low light and hi light performance as mentioned in a review. As a fisherman I'm often photographing catches early morning and evening so am I right in thinking its a good choice for that?

What are you looking to spend?

550D + 18-55IS is what, £600/650 now?
40D + Tamron 17-50 F2.8 can be had for £500/550ish if your lucky.

If you can get a 550D + Tamron 17-50 for £800/900 then that would be a way forward.

I'd take the 40D and F2.8 lens for low light any day of the week.

40D ISO1600 F2.8 through 17-50mm > 550D ISO3200 F3.5-5.6 through 18-55mm.

snappyfish · 23 Dec 2010 at 12:14

Concorde Rules said:
What are you looking to spend?

If you can get a 550D + Tamron 17-50 for £800/900 then that would be a way forward.

I'd take the 40D and F2.8 lens for low light any day of the week.

If I could stretch to £800/900 for 550D + Tamron 17-50 would I really benefit? After all it's xmas and you gotta treat yourself :cool:

FreeStream · 23 Dec 2010 at 12:29

gary_0928 said:
If I could stretch to £800/900 for 550D + Tamron 17-50 would I really benefit? After all it's xmas and you gotta treat yourself

Well you have the improved sensor of the 550D combined with the much better lens of the F2.8 Tamron, so yes you would

You would loose the build quality and secondary settings screen tho. Personally I can't stand the 550D but then again i'm used to a 40D and a 7D

.

paul10 · 23 Dec 2010 at 13:21

just had a play on me sisters 550d with a efs 18 -55mm lens a nice package for fishing nice and light but i would prefer a 60 d for self take as a nice flip out screen but i would imagine the 550d will give a good photo but you must get a lens to match the camera,s capabilties ,no good spending 600 on camera and 50 on a lens the camera only tells half the story ?my friend uses a 500d with a prime lens 50mm f 1.4 and gets good low level results ,although the a quality lens does have improved glass it will weight more .

triggerthat · 23 Dec 2010 at 14:13

I do recommend the 40D and the 17-50mm. Shame I don't have time to use it.

There's a few going on the member's market :-)

snappyfish · 23 Dec 2010 at 16:00

paul10 said:
just had a play on me sisters 550d with a efs 18 -55mm lens a nice package for fishing nice and light but i would prefer a 60 d for self take as a nice flip out screen but i would imagine the 550d will give a good photo but you must get a lens to match the camera,s capabilties ,no good spending 600 on camera and 50 on a lens the camera only tells half the story ?my friend uses a 500d with a prime lens 50mm f 1.4 and gets good low level results ,although the a quality lens does have improved glass it will weight more .

I think I'm definately steering towards a 550D with good lens like unless something 2nd hand crops up like 40D or 50D, The 60D might be nice but I'm sure for a beginner the 40D, 50D and 550D is enough unless I'm wrong?

:confused:

Where does the 60D slot into the market? :confused:

FreeStream · 23 Dec 2010 at 20:21

gary_0928 said:
I think I'm definately steering towards a 550D with good lens like unless something 2nd hand crops up like 40D or 50D, The 60D might be nice but I'm sure for a beginner the 40D, 50D and 550D is enough unless I'm wrong?

Where does the 60D slot into the market?

Your not the only one to be confused.

The 7D is basically what the 60D should have been assuming the 7D was never made.

Canon have made the xxxD, xxD and 7D far far far too close to each other.

And they are all capable cameras and more than enough for a beginner.

I've done:

350D - 2 years -> 40D - 2 years -> 40D & 7D.

snappyfish · 26 Dec 2010 at 11:28

Hmmm Lots of sales on Clothes, DVD's and TV's but SLR Camera don't seem to be reduced much if any? I've got money to spend but what a slight deal lol :cool:

dowie · 26 Dec 2010 at 22:27

Concorde Rules said:
This.

40D is a very capable camera still for the money, then buy a tamron 17-50 F2.8 and you will beat anything a 550D will be able to produce!

Not necessarily true - Surely depends what he wants - if he doesn't mind a smaller body and isn't going to be shooting sports then 550D might be better - if you're shooting portraits then a 550D would take better images given the same lens.