Canon 550D Review

For the opportunity EOS 550D Review Many thanks to Vitaliy Kukota.

Canon 550D Review

Canon 550D Review

This review presents the camera itself. Canon EOS 550D body. BODY in the name means that the camera without a lens, and MIGRATORY KIT means the camera comes with some kind of lens. Typically, the Canon 550D comes with one of the lenses:

  • Canon EF-S 17-85mm f / 4-5.6 IS
  • Canon EF-S 18-135mm f / 3.5-5.6 IS
  • Canon EF-S 18-200mm f / 3.5-5.6 IS
  • Canon EF-S 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6
  • Canon EF-S 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6 IS
  • Canon EF-S 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6 IS II
  • Canon EF-S 55-250mm f / 4.0-5.6 IS
  • Canon EF-S 55-250mm f / 4.0-5.6 IS II
Canon EOS 550D sample photo

Canon EOS 550D sample photo

Canon 550D can work with EF, EF-S lenses. This means that any modern Canon lens is suitable for it. When using the Canon 550D, you should always remember crop factorwhich for Canon APS-C cameras is 1.6x.

Canon EOS 550D sample photo

Canon EOS 550D sample photo

Canon 550D camera uses 9 focus points. This is neither much nor little. Many Canon cameras use so many focus points. This amount is enough for an amateur. In auto focus mode, the camera does a good job of focusing. The Canon 550D uses three conventional focus modes that can be found on many of Canon's other cameras. Auto focus is very dependent on the lens and shooting conditions.

Canon EOS 550D sample photo

Canon EOS 550D sample photo

The display on the Canon 550D is very good, 3-inch with 1,040 million dots. The same display is installed on many other Canon cameras. Compared to a smaller display Canon 1100DThe Canon 550D display is a pleasure to work with.

Canon EOS 550D sample photo

Canon EOS 550D sample photo

Canon 550D can shoot video in HD quality 1920 × 1080. You can set the frame rate: 30, 25, 20. Video is the strong point of Canon 550D, in video mode, aperture control is available and shutter speed, which allows you to create and control the process of shooting video. By the way, the highlight priority function also works in video mode. Also, the Canon 550D supports the installation of an external stereo microphone, which is very important for video. And also, you can shoot in 720p mode with 1280 × 720 at 60 or 50 fps, as well as 640 × 480 at 60 or 50 fps, which allows you to create unique videos with a slow-motion effect.

Canon EOS 550D sample photo

Canon EOS 550D sample photo

Of course, the camera has a Live View function, which allows you to use the camera as an ordinary soap dish. True, the inconvenience of Live View is that in order to start recording video you need to switch the camera control dial to the desired position. In Live View mode, an approximation of the image section with a multiplicity of 4x and 10x is available, very useful when using old autofocus lenses.

Example photo on a Canon EOS 550D

Example photo on a Canon EOS 550D

The Canon 550D can operate at ISO 100-6400 and expand the range to H (12800). Please note, to expand the range to 12800, you need to disable the light priority function in the camera menu and enable the ISO range extension function in the same menu. The Canon 550D camera behaves quite well at high ISO values ​​and shows not as strong noises as you might think when looking at its 18MP matrix. Please also note that when the Highlight Tone Priority function is enabled, the use of ISO 100 is not available.

Example photo on a Canon EOS 550D

Example photo on a Canon EOS 550D

The camera body is made of plastic, it is quite nice to hold the camera. Ergonomics is no different from other Canon cameras.

Example photo on a Canon EOS 550D

Example photo on a Canon EOS 550D

Note that the Canon 550D has different names in different countries. So, in the USA - Canon Rebel T2iin Japan Canon EOS Kiss digital x4we have Canon EOS 550D. True, I have never seen cameras with captions Rebel T2i or Kiss digital x4 but on the Internet you can find how they look.

Example photo on a Canon EOS 550D

Example photo on a Canon EOS 550D

Canon 550D does a good job of measuring exposure. Metering system exposure the same as the Canon 7D, built on a 63-zone sensor. In any case, in difficult working conditions exposure may fail just like an automatic white balance.

Example photo on a Canon EOS 550D

Example photo on a Canon EOS 550D

Canon 550D uses SDHX, SDHC, SD. The copy from this review works well with SDHC 32GB, SDHC 16GB. Since the camera is very power hungry due to the huge number of megapixels, I recommend using the fastest memory cards possible. The camera shows the number of pictures that can fit on the free space of the card. On average, a RAW file weighs from 17 to 36MB, and a JPEG L weighs from 2 to 10MB.

Example photo on a Canon EOS 550D

Example photo on a Canon EOS 550D

One of the most important indicators of camera performance and speed is frame bufferor rather, its capacity. Canon 550D Snapshot Buffer can hold:

  • RAW without add. functions - 6 frames
  • JPEG L without add. functions - 9 frames
  • JPEG L without add. functions at high ISO - 8 frames
  • RAW with add. functions - 4 framebut the camera continues to shoot as if in a frame buffer 5-6
  • JPEG L with add. functions - 2 framebut the camera continues to shoot as if in a frame buffer 5-6
Example photo on a Canon 550D

Example photo on a Canon 550D

The most important metric is the RAW framebuffer capacity, and at any ISO setting it is a maximum of 6 frames. After 2 seconds of shooting in continuous mode, the camera starts to slow down and write BUSY. This is a fairly low figure. Also note that advanced features such as Highlight Tone Priority, High ISO Noise Reduction, Long Exposure Noise Reduction will greatly reduce the number of frames in the framebuffer. The good news is that the Canon 550D uses 14 bit RAW.

Example photo on a Canon 550D

Example photo on a Canon 550D

Canon 550D uses a huge 17.9 megapixel CMOS matrix, which can form an image 5184 by 3456 pixels. In the reviews, you can find information that the Canon 550D has a whole 18.7MP, this is not true, since the effective pixels of the camera are only 18.0, but when creating a JPEG image, a picture that includes only 17.9MP is obtained. The difference is miserable, in any case, the Canon 550D has just a stunning number of pixels. With the Canon 550D, you can safely print A1 format posters. Most likely the Canon 550D uses an upgraded matrix from a professional Canon 7D. Similar matrices with 18MP can be found in advanced amateur Canon 60Dspecialized Canon 60Da and similar amateur cameras Canon 650D и Canon 600D.

Example photo on a Canon 550D

Example photo on a Canon 550D

Roughly speaking, the Canon 550D can produce the same high-quality image as the Canon 7D. Creating a matrix is ​​very expensive, because the same matrix is ​​often used in different camera models.

Example photo on a Canon 550D

Example photo on a Canon 550D

The Canon 550D's burst speed is not high at just 3.7 frames per second. This is not a little and not a lot, given the small buffer of the camera, continuous shooting can work normally only with the quality of the JPEG image and a good, high-speed memory card.

Example photo on a Canon 550D

Example photo on a Canon 550D

The Canon 550D has useful features:

  1. A special indicator that determines whether the camera is held to the face. The indicator turns off the display.when focusing is performed through the optical viewfinder. Nice feature.
  2. Highlight Priority Function (Highlight tone priority) This function takes a slightly underexposed shot and programmatically expands the dynamic range, pulling information from dark areas.
  3. Convenient special button that is responsible for setting the ISO
  4. Canon 550D has matrix cleaning system. The function is configured to clean the sensor when it is turned on or off, or forced.
  5. Red-eye reduction in flash shots.
  6. Noise reduction function at high ISO. It has several values ​​of effectiveness. A very useful thing when shooting in JPEG.
  7. Noise reduction function at slow shutter speeds.
  8. Peripheral lighting control function (vignetting)
Example photo on a Canon 550D

Example photo on a Canon 550D

What the Canon 550D lacks in comparison to advanced amateur cameras:

  1. Fast sync with flash. Minimum synchronization is available only for 1 \ 200s.
  2. The ability to control flashes remotely, which helps a lot when creating interesting effects with lighting
  3. An additional display for quick access to settings, such as Canon 60D.
  4. Short excerpts 1 \ 8000. Canon 550D has a maximum shutter speed of 1 \ 4000, which sometimes complicates the work with high-aperture optics in good light.

Examples of photos without processing:

Here link to the archive with the originals - 1.4 GB, 60 photos in .CR2 format (RAW) from the camera Canon EOS 550D. Lens used during shooting Canon Zoom Lens EF 24-105mm 1: 4 L IS USM Ultrasonic и safety filter Kenko Pro1D Protector (W) 77mm Made In Japan. All photos in the gallery above are thumbnail on-camera JPEG.

And some more photos

Personal impressions:

The Canon 550D has a nice viewfinder, however, the viewfinder covers only 95% of the frame. Managing the camera is quite simple with one hand. Video shooting is not important for me. In principle, a good camera for fans.

Example photo on a Canon 550D

Example photo on a Canon 550D

Prices for modern Canon cameras in popular stores can look at this link.

In comments Can I ask you a question on the topic and you will answer, and you can also express your opinion or describe your experience. Many little things for a photo can be found on AliExpress.


Conclusions:

Canon 550D - great amateur camera with good image and video quality. I recommend.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

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Comments: 128, on the subject: Canon 550D review

  • Sasha

    advise what to buy Canon EOS 550D Double Kit 18-55 & 75-300 or Nikon D3100 Kit AF-S DX 18-55 VR. I'm not a professional, this will be the first SLR camera. I want something universal - photographing a child, sports competitions (auto racing). I prefer (purely intuitively) Nikon D3100 Kit AF-S DX 18-55 VR, probably enough for home, but to zoom in and create a photo of a car is hard, there is only 3x zoom. Kenon costs $ 200 more. What would you recommend?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      In this case, the 550D will be better due to the presence of a 55-300 lens, which can be very close.

  • Alexander

    Or can you say something about the Triplet 69-3 lens: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%9E%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BE%D0%BD-%D0%95%D0%95_%D1%84%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B0%D0%BF%D0%BF%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%82_%D0%91%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%9E%D0%9C%D0%9E.jpg?uselang=ru

    Is it realistic to use it somehow on digital SLRs in particular Nikon, and in general, what to expect from it?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      It is a rangefinder, I do not see any sense of use.

  • Sasha

    and Nikon D3100 18-105VR Kit as an alternative to the aforementioned Kenon? and Nikon, and cheaper than Kenon ...

    • Arkady Shapoval

      The D3100 will be slightly worse, but it can act as an alternative.

  • Gene jb

    Orion has a non-removable lens, so screwing it will be quite difficult. Yes, and as far as I know, the working segment is small.
    About the name. I have a Rebel XTi. And many come up and when they see an incomprehensible inscription they ask what kind of camera.

  • Andrei

    Share your Canon 550D and Nikon D5100 user experience. As they lie in the hand, the convenience of the menu, setting the settings.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      The cameras are equally in the hand, you get used to the menu, whoever use Kenon or Nikon for a long time, then you get used to it. Settings are made in different ways, and in this and in the other camera has its own nuances. If you have a choice, then such a tablet can help you. http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon_EOS_550D-vs-Nikon-D5100

      • Alexey

        Good day!
        I chose between Canon 600d and Nikon d5100 (the price is about the same), with the whale lenses the picture is about the same, they are also in the hand about the same, but Nikon didn’t like the controls (since I don’t take off the machine, I’ve always got to go to the menu, to get to some features is very inconvenient). Canon has most of the necessary functions on the buttons, it is also more convenient to work with manual optics (exposure metering works quite accurately, as well as aperture and shutter priority modes).
        Dear Arkady, it would not be bad to see the Canon 600d test, because it has a number of differences from the 550d, for example, another exposure metering module! Thank you very much for taking it, for testing the Canon technology.

  • zemliak-es

    Hello! ”Dear Arkady, it would be nice to see the Canon 600d test” +100!
    it was recommended to me as a camera very different from 550D, although for the price of 600d I can take 550D with a whale lens + 75-300 as a gift. And I don't know what to do, you don't have a 600D test here, can you tell me so? I was in 5 stores, and in all they basically recommended 600d ... although the rotary display, well, as an example, I don't like it .. thanks for the advice

    • Arkady Shapoval

      I did not use 600d, but there is the same sensor as the 550d, therefore, there is not much difference.

      • Alexey

        At Canon, the entire amateur line is made on the same 18mp sensor, 1100d, 550d, 600d, 650d, 60d, 7d, the more interesting it is to find out if there are any differences.

        • Denis

          Then I do not understand why, in my opinion, insignificant differences, such a difference in price between 550 and 7D?
          Why does the 7D cost 2 times what’s so extraordinary in it?

          • Arkady Shapoval

            The differences are significant. Even in the most general case, 7d - professional cameras, 550 - amateur

          • Alexey

            There are of course differences (but how much do they affect the picture?):
            - management (the presence of an additional screen for example)
            - burst speed
            - shutter resource
            - the ability to control external flashes in the command mode of the built-in
            - body material
            etc.
            Plus, do not forget about the manufacturer’s marketing policy.
            By the post above, was there any difference in the resulting image?

        • anonym

          Sorry, but about the canon 1100, you're wrong. It uses a matrix of 450 kpi 12mp. This 1200d has the same matrix as 550d.

    • Alexey

      As the owner of the 600d, I can tell you that, of course, there are no radical differences from the 550d, the only serious difference is a different exposure metering module (that's why it's interesting to see the 600d test). In our city, the prices are the same for these two models, so I had no problem with what to take. As for the rotating screen, it is very convenient to shoot from different angles (for example, from the ground), plus if you use manual lenses, it is easier to focus on the display.

    • Alexey

      The 600d has an external flash control mode in command mode built-in, the 550d does not!

  • Novel

    Good afternoon, Arkady! I have Rabel T2i, such a red inscription. Of the states in our market, there are enough of them. If you have detailed questions or if you need to make test photos, etc., I will be happy to help.
    I want to ask a question that is not quite in the subject) Have you used IR remote controls? I am confused that the window is in front and the photographer is usually behind the tripod ... Who is it intended for? Probably, when pressed, all cameras within the range will clap mirrors ... Is there a half-press on them? I choose the remote control and I can't decide whether to take a wired one, whether Canon RC-6 (or an analogue), or watch the radio. Help pliz advice.
    Thanks for the articles.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Only those cameras that are configured to work from the remote control will be triggered on the remote control. Usually I start shooting with the remote control, being on the side of the camera.

    • Nicholas

      The cheapest Chinese 50p remotes do not have half-press. I recommend a universal Chinese remote control with 6-8 buttons (it is designed for several camera models). I bought one myself after a simple one - it has a half-press and a delay in shooting of 2 seconds - you can capture yourself not with a burning remote control in your hand, but in a normal angle.
      PS When pressed, the neighboring cameras will not start clapping, since this mode is activated manually. at 550 - left button (continuous shooting settings). It is also better to have a wired one - it costs 50 rubles (you can solder it yourself if you have a soldering iron and minimal skills), but buy a native for 1200 - I, personally, will be strangled by the toad.

  • Novel

    those. the back won't work? And if a neighbor is set up and has a remote control in his hands, will our cameras work synchronously?) And does half-pressing cheap Chinese remotes for Canon RC-6 have half-pressing?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      May not work. Yes, the cameras will trigger synchronously. With remotes for Canon did not work.

  • Novel

    Thank you Arkady! good luck!

  • Andrei

    I found five burnt-out pixels in the camera (canon 550d) ... scattered across the screen ... the camera was presented three months ago ... they took it new ... did anyone test their camera for burnt-out pixels? It is very bad to have so many burned-out pixels on the sensor, what to do in this situation? Write who faced this please ...

  • Nadia

    I have Rabel T2i, I can’t set up the video in any way, it takes 30 seconds, please help.

  • Alexander

    Good night, Arkady. Oh, I sat for something on your site, you are very good and you describe everything in detail. For which you are very grateful.
    As a novice photographer, I decided to buy a DSLR, and after everything I read above, I still want to clarify with you which device is better in your opinion how (body) in its functionality Nikon D5100 or Canon EOS 550D and if you can describe in 2 words why? No need to paint all the features .. I already read the reviews, thanks.
    Thank you in advance for your response! And good luck in this business! )

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Both cameras belong to the same segment and are quite similar. Here the Nikon \ Canon question is more for further use, so take the system that your friends use.

    • Alexey

      - Go to the store and twirl both cameras in your hands (as they are in your hand, it is not convenient to use it)
      - take several pictures with both cameras (it is advisable to take a USB flash drive with you and look at your computer at home)
      - dig into the menu
      - try how different modes and settings switch
      After that, it will be much easier to decide.

  • Eugene

    Canon EF-S 18-135mm f / 3.5-5.6 IS advise an alternative to otike under M-42 adapter

    • Arkady Shapoval

      There are no alternatives to the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f / 3.5-5.6 IS under the M42. Find the rest in the old Canon lens section.

  • Sergei

    Arkady advise that the Canon Eos 600d 18-135 is mm f / 3.5-f / 5.6. Or Nikon d90 18-105g vr f / 3.5-f / 5.6 that is more worthwhile in terms of functionality and quality of images

    • Arkady Shapoval

      In functionality for photos, the Nikon D90 surpasses 550d and 600d

  • Victor

    Good afternoon. Such a problem. When the aperture priority and ISO are set to automatic mode with a threshold of up to 1600 with the built-in flash raised and with the external flash set to TTL mode, I take a picture (room, 2m to the object) - when viewing, the data is obtained AIRPHRAGM 5,6, shutter speed 1/2 or very close, but not 1/60 or close. I messed up in modes (although it is unlikely) or the camera and the road to the service are buggy. In one word, aperture priority is not working properly. On the street it is normal, but in the room the above DEFECT is present. Your thoughts and recommendations.

    • Victor

      I got to the bottom of the reason. everything is now with a bang. Far away was buried in the menu.

  • Valery

    Buy yourself a Kenon. starting from 500D, they are all the same, the main thing is to be able to use them skillfully. only if the hands grow from the hips. then any device will be taken off badly. I use the 500D, I am very pleased with it, I never let it down, I got it, I did it to the states and brought it from there. The pictures are wonderful, when the optics are great, especially L class.

  • Julia

    Hello! really need the help of a professional! Serious about acquiring the first SLR camera for practical study of the fascinating world of photography. advise something for a beginner seriously determined to go into the category of amateur photographers. the main question is to buy a new camera (canon d550, d600, d650 kit) or canond60, used with 2 lenses?
    which company is better to choose and which model to start with? thanks!

  • Elena

    Sorry for the following words, but on which camera did you take the photo? I have a mobile phone with a 2MP camera that photographs like this (except for macro shots): photos with highlights, highlighted, colors are vigorous, then dim. You did not convince me that I needed this particular model.

  • Alexander

    There is such an app with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6 lens. I would like to buy another lens for a closer approximation, please advise.

  • Anastasia

    I bought a cordless microphone for the Canon 550 d which adapter do I need there? and because of what the micraphone may not work and record sound badly?

  • Fktrcfylh

    I am faced with the choice of canon 650 or nikon 5100.

  • Bogdan

    Good afternoon. Підкажіть be-caress the camera and lens for good portraits, I stand in front of the vibrator nikon d5200, canon 550d, canon 600d, canon 1100d, canon 650d,
    thinking thinking take 50mm 1.8
    Дякую

    • Alexander

      From my experience - I have a 550D and the experience of a relative - they have a 650D, I recommend a 650D. And for portraits it is considered the best 85mm-100mm. But, IMHO, normal portraits were obtained by whale 18-55mm. Even a weak aperture was a plus - at slow shutter speeds, portraits seem softer.

  • Alexander

    I did not understand the camera modes a bit.
    I ask you to clarify if possible: do the settings affect the brightness, contrast, color in the user settings (1st, 2nd and 3rd) on the pictures in RAW?
    It seems to me that no. I'm right ?
    Thank you.

  • Paul

    Good day. Please answer the question. At my disposal was the Tair-33V lens, which is installed in the Salute. Using which adapter can I install it on the Canon Eos-550D. On the site, I found only a combination of two adapters in a review of Tahir. And where can I get it. I would really appreciate your advice. Respectfully yours, Pavel. http://500px.com/klewua

  • Other

    Hello, I can’t decide which is better Canon 1100d or 600 d?
    I thought Canon 600 d is a pro, solve the dilemma, the difference in price is significant, and which one is better?

    • anonym

      600d

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