Canon 550D Review: Is It Worth The Money?

  • Ease of Use
  • Image Quality
  • Noise
  • Sharpening
  • Chromatic Aberrations
  • Night
  • Image Stabilisation
4.4/5Overall Score

Quick Summary

At its price, this camera can be quite a good value. With this camera the videographers who truly love to capture each and every moment in a single glance are going to have quite a good time, especially with the HD movie support and built-in SLR.

Specs
  • Material: Stainless Steel and polycarbonate resin with glass fiber
  • Sensor: 18.7 million effective pixels
  • Max image size: 5184 x 3456
  • Max video size: 1920 x 1080 (1080p, 16:9) @ 30/25/24 fps
Pros
  • Fast performance
  • Clear images
  • Great video capture quality
Cons
  • Small size
  • Annoying viewfinder
  • High price tag

The new variant that has rocked the world of digital camera is the Canon 550d, but with several other options available in the market, is this camera worth a try? Well, we will find that out here in this Canon 550d review. Presently there are only four brands that produce digital SLR’s and APS-C format. And these brands are Nikon, Pentax, Sony and of course Canon.

CanonEOS550D 2

And Canon has always been a frontrunner in the DLSR market by owning 50% of the shares, to just 40% by Nikon. Keeping this popularity alive, Cannon came up with the latest 550d, 18.1 megapixel Camera along with a CMOS Sensor.

Price of Cannon 550D

The price of this Canon in is approximately $1020 USD, which includes a kit with a 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 EF-S image stabilized lens.

Features of Cannon 550D

Here is the list of the common features that are found in the Cannon 550d:

  • 18.1 Megapixel camera which ensures that you work is completed with the right perfection.
  • CMOS sensor, so that you never miss a shot
  • 1080p HD video recording that will allow you to record videos in the best way.
  • Sharp monitor, and likely the best one, when compared to other DLSR cameras.
  • Cool and sleek body design
  • The weight of the camera is 526g
  • The physical dimension of the camera is 128.8 x 97.3 x 62mm
  • Has a rubber coated hand grip
  • Supports (IFCL) Intelligent Focus, Color and Luminance.
  • Includes all the features of the Alpha 550

The Pros of the Cannon 550D

  • The Camera supports fast performance, great quality of images along with a complete HD video recording option.
  • The specifications of the HD video are basically found in the cameras that are more expensive then, this one. Hence, the Cannon 550D can be considered affordable.
  • Has LCD display, with high resolution ability and in 3.2 dimensions.
  • It has compatible software, for Mac and Windows
  • The video mode is quite improved, and has external mic ability; this ability enhances the resolution of the camera and even the quality of the pictures.
  • Great video capture quality.
  • Amazing 18.1 megapixel sensor and the camera produces low noise, and even bring up photo with superb clarity. The ISO performance is appreciable, basically for the 18 megapixel sub frame sensor.
  • The Live view mode works really well.

The Cons of the Cannon 550D

  • The size of the camera is quite small, and it portrays plasticity.
  • The Auto focus option doesn’t function at all in the movie mode.
  • The viewfinder is quite annoying, and so is the layout which pops up while capturing videos
  • Very expensive for an entry level Camera and the kit portray complete plasticity.
  • The main dial is too resistive.

The final verdict

At its price, this camera can be quite a good value. With this camera the videographers who truly love to capture each and every moment in a single glance are going to have quite a good time, especially with the HD movie support and built-in SLR.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Canon 550D?

The Canon 550D, also known as the Rebel T2i in the Americas and the EOS Kiss X4 in Japan, is an 18.0-megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera. It was announced by Canon on February 8, 2010.

When was the Canon 550D released?

The Canon 550D was available from February 24, 2010, and it reached US dealers from early March 2010.

What are the key features of the Canon 550D?

The Canon 550D features an 18 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, a DIGIC 4 processor with an ISO range of 100-6400 (expandable to 12800), continuous shooting at 3.7 fps, and Full HD movie recording with manual control and selectable frame rates.

Does the Canon 550D have manual focus?

Yes, the Canon 550D does have a manual focus option.

How does the Canon 550D compare to the EOS 50D and EOS 500D?

The EOS 550D sits between the EOS 500D and the EOS 50D in Canon’s lineup. It offers a higher resolution than both models but is designed to appeal to both first-time DSLR buyers and enthusiasts.

Is the Canon 550D good for high-ISO performance?

Yes, the Canon 550D is known for its exceptional high-ISO performance.

Does the Canon 550D have a metering sensor?

Yes, the Canon 550D includes a 63-zone dual-layer iFCL metering sensor, which was first seen on the EOS 7D.

What is the battery life of the Canon 550D?

The Canon 550D has a battery life of approximately 470 shots per charge.

Is the Canon 550D a good choice for video recording?

Yes, the Canon 550D is capable of recording Full HD video and is known for its excellent video quality.

What kind of lenses are compatible with the Canon 550D?

The Canon 550D is compatible with Canon EF and EF-S lenses.

Can the ISO range on the Canon 550D be expanded?

Yes, the ISO range on the Canon 550D can be expanded to 12800.

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