Canon has announced its new entry level-priced digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera, the Canon EOS 550D/Rebel T2i, which some review sites tout as a scaled down EOS 7D.
The latest camera from Canon seems to confirm the trend in the DSLR market where entry level models “borrowing” heavily from their big brothers — for instance, the Pentax K-x having some of the K-7′s features and Nikon D5000 having some of the D300 features — which can only mean good news for consumers in general.
Canon EOS 550D, EOS 7D's little brother
According to Canon, among the 7D features available in the 550D/T2i is the 63-point iFCL metering system which was first launched in the EOS 7D.
The iFCL or the focus colour luminance system “intelligently measures focus, colour and luminance, across 63 zones,” Canon says.
According to DPReview, the 18-megapixel sensor on the 550D/T2i is “very similar” to the one used in the 7D although they are not the same.
Here are a side-by-side comparison between the 550D/T2i and the 7D in terms of specification:
Canon EOS 550D vs Canon EOS 7D
| Canon EOS 550D | Canon EOS 7D | |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 23.3 x 14.9mm CMOS sensor | 22.3 x 14.9mm CMOS sensor |
| 18 megapixels | 18 megapixels | |
| Dust reduction | Low-pass filter vibration | Low-pass filter vibration |
| Anti-static coating | Flourine coating | |
| Software-based dust removal | Software-based dust removal | |
| Image sizes | 5184 x 3456, 3456 x 2304, 2592 x 1728 | 5184 x 3456, 3888 x 2592, 3456 x 2304, 2592 x 1728 |
| Body material | Stainless Steel and polycarbonate resin with glass fiber | Magnesium alloy |
| Movie | 1920 x 1080 at 30/25/24 fps | 1920 x 1080 at 30/25/24 fps |
| 1280 x 720 at 60/50 fps | 1280 x 720 at 60/50 fps | |
| 640 x 480 at 60/50fps | 640 x 480 at 60/50 fps | |
| Movie format | H.264 | H.264 |
| Image processor | DIGIC IV | DIGIC IV |
| Lenses | Canon EF/EF-S mount, 1.6x fov crop | Canon EF/EF-S mount, 1.6x fov crop |
| Auto focus | 9-point CMOS sensor | 19 cross-type AF |
| Metering modes | Evaluative 63-zone | Evaluative 63-zone |
| Focus modes | AI focus, One shot, AI servo, manual | AI focus, One shot, AI servo, Manual |
| Shooting modes | Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait, Flash Off, Movie, Program AE (P), Shutter Priority AE (Tv), Aperture Priority AE (Av), Manual (M), Auto depth-of-field | Auto, Creative auto, Program AE (P), Shutter Priority AE (Tv), Aperture Priority AE (Av), Manual (M) stills and movie, Customs 1, 2 and 3 |
| Drive modes | Single, Continuous, Self timer [10 sec, 2 sec mirror lock-up], self-timer continuous | Single, High-speed continuous, Low-speed Continuous, self-timer [2 sec, 10 sec] |
| Continuous shooting | 3.7 fps [up tp 34 JPEGs, 6 RAWs] | 8fps [up to 126 JPEGs and 15 RAWs] |
| Shutter speed | 30 - 1/4000, Bulb | 30 - 1/8000 sec, Bulb |
| Flash sync | 1/200 sec | 1/250 sec |
| Picture style | Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Faithful, Monochrome, User 1, 2 & 3 | Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Faithful, Monochrome, User 1, 2 & 3 |
| Sensitivity | ISO 100 - 6400, H1 expansion [12800] | ISO 100 - 6400, H expansion [12800] |
| AE lock | AE lock button | Auto: One shot AF with evaluative metering; Manual: AE lock button |
| LCD screen | 3-inch 3:2 TFT LCD, 1040,000 pixels, 100 per cent coverage, Dual anti-reflection, anti-smudge coating | 3-inch TFT LCD, 920,000 pixels, 100 per cent coverage, anti-reflection coating |
So, will we see the day when a Nikon entry-level DSLR borrowing the features of the D3s?
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
If you had the money which one would you buy canon 550 or canon 7.
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i will buy the 7D of course
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the big different between 550D and 7D is the speed 1/200 and 1/8000
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I just filmed my last short film with the canon 550d. The picture Style was Super Flat, and I tweaked the curves on the pc.
Just watch it and enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF7_zxs_Obs
I think its pretty good for a dslr!
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i have bought 550d but 7D is more professional.
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The ISO between canon 7d and canon 55d is not that big (http://www.cameralenszone.com/canon-eos-550d-and-eos-7d-iso-comparison). However, I still love my new 7D.
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7D is a better-loved camera
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is anybody there have compared 7d and 550D quality pictures? how much different or maybe almost be the same quality?.. tell me
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@nawi
if your talking about the shutter speeds, the 550D is 1/4000sec and the 7D is 1/8000sec
then, with flash sync, 550D 1/200sec and 7D is 1/250sec
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i see.. one problem is when 550d in mode IA focus and using external flash, the pics will be blur in the night or dark room, but conduct with only IA servo. compare when using it own internal flash (in IA focus mode) the pics will be much2 better…that’s what happened to me. so, at night i only can use IA servo mode with my external flash. i think my external flash does not suitable with my 550d (maybe). …
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550D Body Material – Stainless steel !!!!
Seriously???
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Stainless Steel and polycarbonate resin with glass fiber
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Canon t2i, also called 550D, takes excellent photo and 1080P HD video. Highly recommended.
Pro:
18MP CMOS sensor
1080P 30fps HD video HDMI ouput
Compatible with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses
3.7 fps photo shooting speed
However, It is lens that really matters. Here are some recommendations:
If you want good lens for everyday usage, with budget under$500, consider these lens:
Canon 18-55mm IS lens
Canon 55-250mm IS lens
Canon 50mm F1.8 II lens
If you are between amature and simi-pro, with budget above $1000, consider these lens:
Canon 17-40mm F4 L lens
Canon 70-200mm F4 L lens
Canon 50mm F1.4 lens
If you are simi-pro, with budget under $3000, consider these lens:
Canon 16-35mm F2.8 L lens
Canon 70-200mm F2.8 L lens
Canon 100mm F2.8 Macro len
If you are a pro, with budget above $5000, you probably will get the Canon 5D Mark II 21MP, so consider these lens:
Canon 24-70mm F2.8 L lens
Canon 70-200mm F2.8 IS L lens
Canon 24mm F1.4 L lens
Canon 50mm F1.2 L lens
Canon 100mm F2.8 IS Macro L lens
Canon 200mm F2 IS L lens
Canon 400mm F5.6 L lens
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