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Canon releases 18 megapixel EOS 550D digital SLR

by Parm Mann on 8 February 2010, 15:24

Tags: EOS 550D, Canon (TYO:7751)

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Canon has today rolled out a bundle of new cameras, headlined by a new digital SLR, the EOS 550D.

Arriving as the successor to the EOS 500D, Canon's latest packs an 18 megapixel sensor that's almost identical to that of the professional EOS 7D.

Able to shoot at 3.7fps, the EOS 550D features a nine-point auto-focus system and offers 14-bit image processing and an expanded ISO range of 100 to 6,400. Armed with Canon's DIGIC 4 image processor, it's also able to shoot Full HD movies - a feature that's quickly becoming common place for the modern dSLR.

Canon's implementation allows the EOS 550D to shoot 1080p video at 30, 25 or 24fps. Alternatively, users can capture 720p footage at 60fps or 50fps. Standard-def users can also look forward to a new feature dubbed "Movie Crop", which provides a 7x zoom with no loss of image quality when shooting SD video. High-quality audio, too, is catered for via a 3.5mm external microphone jack.

Over to the rear, there's a 3in new-and-improved 3:2 widescreen display with Live View, HDMI output and added support for SDXC memory cards.

Sounds rather good, and it's currently scheduled to ship on February 24th, priced at £799 for the body only, £899 when bundled with a 18-55mm lens, or £1099 with a 18-135mm lens. Want a closer look? Check out the Canon-provided walkthrough video below.

Official press release: 18MP, 1080p HD Movies, ISO 6400: Canon redefines the boundaries of the consumer DSLR with the EOS 550D

HEXUS Forums :: 13 Comments

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Posted by GageC - Mon 08 Feb 2010 16:02
Oh dear, I'm a photographer, and I'm sorry, but this is a straight up waste of time and money. Entry level/consumer photographers do not need an 18MP sensor.
Posted by bandsaw - Mon 08 Feb 2010 18:05
GageC
Oh dear, I'm a photographer, and I'm sorry, but this is a straight up waste of time and money. Entry level/consumer photographers do not need an 18MP sensor.

Sorry Gage, I disagree.

Not that “I'm a photographer” makes any difference but, at the risk of also sounding arrogant, I am too… the way I see it is as a development in DSLRs. If larger sensors that are identical or similar to the sensors in the pro/semi-pro bodies mean the cost of those said bodies are reduced through simply spreading the cost of development over several bodies, bring it on!!

Generealising a bit more, it should also bring generally better performance, such as noise, ISO sensitivity, etc to lower-end bodies… and what's up with that?
This RRP business is also nonsense and perhaps off-putting - in 5 months, this £800 550D will be, what, £600ish. Just look at the 7D. Had my eye on one since launch and it's lost £500. Woo! :)

However, I'd never buy a 500/550D-class camera for other reasons - chief amongst which are the size of it (it's just too darned small to use comfortably) and the fact that I have CF cards coming out of my ears.
Posted by Blastuk - Mon 08 Feb 2010 18:12
bandsaw
Sorry Gage, I disagree.

Not that “I'm a photographer” makes any difference but, at the risk of also sounding arrogant, I am too… the way I see it is as a development in DSLRs. If larger sensors that are identical or similar to the sensors in the pro/semi-pro bodies mean the cost of those said bodies are reduced through simply spreading the cost of development over several bodies, bring it on!!

Generealising a bit more, it should also bring generally better performance, such as noise, ISO sensitivity, etc to lower-end bodies… and what's up with that?
This RRP business is also nonsense and perhaps off-putting - in 5 months, this £800 550D will be, what, £600ish. Just look at the 7D. Had my eye on one since launch and it's lost £500. Woo! :)

However, I'd never buy a 500/550D-class camera for other reasons - chief amongst which are the size of it (it's just too darned small to use comfortably) and the fact that I have CF cards coming out of my ears.

This made no sense to me what-so-ever; what was your point?

And I'm on the 18MP sucks bandwagon.
Posted by bandsaw - Mon 08 Feb 2010 18:53
Point? I think it's quite clear. A “photographer” dismissed a whole new ‘entry level’ camera because someone doesn't need 18MP… seems a bit, well, blinkered to me.

These larger sensors use the latest manufacturing techniques and processes which should mean they are better than the previous generation. A sensor that's almost the same or identical to those in a higher-end body means cheaper bodies with those sensors for all as Canon (or Nikon or Sony, etc) can get their money back from more body sales more quickly. I can't help but think a reason for the 7D price drop is because the imager production increased to support not only increased 7D production but 550D production.

If you honestly think we should still be in the dark ages with smaller sensors, that's up to you.
I don't currently own any 18Mpixel bodies but the difference between a 12Mpixel 40D and 6Mpixel D60 is light and day - better images, better ISO sensitivity, less noise, better processing, greater performance, etc.


Presumably you also reckon AMD shouldn't have fiddled with their manufacturing processes to make that X2 5000+ of yours then? Wasn't a 3800+ enough?
Posted by HSK - Mon 08 Feb 2010 19:04
Looks like a great lil camera.

And I disagree with “Entry level/consumer photographers do not need an 18MP sensor.” What's all that about? If it's a decent sensor, then why not.

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