Canon EOS 550D/Rebel T2i vs Canon EOS 7D

by Jaxon S on February 11, 2010

in Camera Raves and Rants

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?

  • numeron

    buying a 7d with a mediocre lens over a 550d with a good lense is retarded.
    no difference in picture quality, your baciasally paying close to twice the price for a slighlty larger viewfinder, and double the shooting speed.
    I got the 550d, and i usually use a 50mm 1.8 prime as standard.
    put a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L on a 7d and u got a slighlty less sharp image, equal image quality for close to 4 times the price.
    Buy 550d with a 50mm 1.8 and you got a camera with the proffesional picture quality, and ultra low weight(this matters alot too, heavy equipment stayes home) . forget about the zoom, and learn to move and focus manually.

    [Reply]

  • anu

    if video does not matters which one is better as a first dslr nikon d7000 , canon 550d or 7d.

    [Reply]

    Jaxon S Reply:
    September 19th, 2011 at 3:54 pm

    Hi,

    I think I’ll go with the D7000…

    [Reply]

  • http://canoneosrebelt2ireview.net/ David Malchow

    This DSLR allowed you to have your video image crystal clear in the front, and had your background blurred to create depth of field. The difference is remarkable and is comparable to watching daytime soap opera or watching a feature length movie.

    [Reply]

  • robert dugal

    I hate the T2i. Anyone thinking about the T2i should be aware of the busy flash issue. After taking multiple pictures in a row using built-in flash, the camera will show a busy message and take up to 10 seconds before you are able to take another picture. Never had this problem with my Rebel XT. Here’s direct quote from Canon support:

    The busy message occurs when the flash has discharged and requires time to charge. This amount of time will increase when the battery becomes depleted. Recharging the battery will reduce the amount of time required, between photographs. I do not believe the issue you’re experiencing is a malfunction, as it is noted in the users manual on page 70.

    [Reply]

  • Don K

    Hi everyone, can you tell me please what is the difference between 550D and 7D for shooting video? About the image quality is the 7D superior than 550D?
    thanks

    [Reply]

  • Jaxon S

    I think any DSLR camera with a dedicated macro lens, and good light source (flash with a diffuser) will be a good set up for this type of photography.

    Or if portability is needed, a Canon G12 or S95 will suffice :)

    [Reply]

  • http://www.perfectring.ie/ Ireland

    Hi, what would the best camera be for taking macro images. I am trying to take images of diamond rings and wondering what the best would be.

    [Reply]

  • Jaxon S

    I think you should seriously consider the Nikon D7000 :) That is, if you haven’t invested in a Canon system.

    On another note, I would want to suggest either a Pentax K-r or a Pentax K-5 but that would involve some element of bias on my part because I am a Pentax shooter ;) and right now, I wouldn’t want anything else other than a K-5, and of course, a complete set of the Pentax Limited lenses!

    [Reply]

  • http://top-rated-cameras.com/ Top Rated Cameras

    I honestly haven’t tried looking in at the specs of the 7D until I read this post. I am planning to buy a camera next week, something like an entry level dslr just like the 550D but still I haven’t decide which one to get between 550D and nikon d5000. Any suggestion?

    [Reply]

  • Steven

    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

    [Reply]

  • Jaxon S

    Stainless Steel and polycarbonate resin with glass fiber

    [Reply]

  • Adam

    550D Body Material – Stainless steel !!!!
    Seriously???

    [Reply]

  • nawi

    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). …

    [Reply]

  • Michael

    @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

    [Reply]

  • nawi

    is anybody there have compared 7d and 550D quality pictures? how much different or maybe almost be the same quality?.. tell me

    [Reply]

  • Jaxon S

    7D is a better-loved camera :)

    [Reply]

  • chain

    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.

    [Reply]

  • nawi

    i have bought 550d but 7D is more professional.

    [Reply]

  • Johannes

    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!

    [Reply]

  • nawi

    the big different between 550D and 7D is the speed 1/200 and 1/8000

    [Reply]

  • http://macro-photography-blog.com Jaxon S

    i will buy the 7D of course

    [Reply]

  • omeros vafiadis

    If you had the money which one would you buy canon 550 or canon 7.

    [Reply]

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