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?
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
If you had the money which one would you buy canon 550 or canon 7.
i will buy the 7D of course
the big different between 550D and 7D is the speed 1/200 and 1/8000
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!
i have bought 550d but 7D is more professional.
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.
7D is a better-loved camera
is anybody there have compared 7d and 550D quality pictures? how much different or maybe almost be the same quality?.. tell me
@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
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). …
550D Body Material – Stainless steel !!!!
Seriously???
Stainless Steel and polycarbonate resin with glass fiber
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
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?
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!
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.
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
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
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.
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.
if video does not matters which one is better as a first dslr nikon d7000 , canon 550d or 7d.
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.