Does the new Canon EOS 550D offer enough to fight off some very stiff competition in the entry-level market?The days of a single entry-level D-SLR in each manufacturer’s line-up are a thing of the past and with the arrival of the Canon EOS 550D, Canon now currently offers four consumer-focused models in its range. The EOS 550D slots in above the EOS 500D (which will continue), while a quick scan of the spec table will reveal features that were first seen on Canon’s excellent semi-pro EOS 7D.
Features & buildWhile the design of the EOS 550D may look identical to the EOS 500D, it’s a subtle evolution, with the cosmetic changes becoming apparent once the two cameras are lined-up next to one another. For instance, the body shell has been tinkered with (though you’d be hard pushed to notice) and there have been updates to some buttons and the mode dial, too.
The handgrip does suit smaller hands, but it’s not a massive issue, and the rubberised grip is to a good standard. The finish is mainly plastic – the norm for most entry-level D-SLRs – but the chassis is constructed from stainless steel.
Compared to the 15.1Mp EOS 500D, resolution has been increased to a class-leading 18Mp on the 550D, which is the same as the EOS 7D. Thanks to gapless micro lenses on the sensor, efficiency for each pixel has been increased, which has also resulted in the impressive ISO range, which runs from 100-6400. And if you want even more sensitivity the ISO range can also be expanded to an equivalent of ISO 12,800 using the EOS 550D’s H setting – again, following the EOS 7D in spec.
The EOS 550D employs a DIGIC 4 image processor that allows for a frame rate of 3.7fps (frames per second), and though this is only a 0.3fps improvement over the EOS 500D, it should be pointed out that larger files are being pushed through the processor.
Compared to the 35-zone metering system on the EOS 500D, the EOS 550D utilises the iFCL metering system that was first seen on the EOS 7D, offering a 63-zone dual layer metering sensor that analyses focus, colour and luminance information. What hasn’t been beefed up, however, is the AF system, with the same wide-area, 9-point diamond array that’s been an EOS feature for some time.
Though there’s still a 3in screen at the rear of the camera, the key thing is that the aspect ratio has changed from 4:3 to 3:2 – the same shape as the actual sensor. This is a really positive move and means no more black lines when images are played back. The construction of the screen has also been redesigned – the air-gap between the LCD’s protective cover and the liquid crystal has been removed and an anti-reflective coating applied, improving the maximum viewing angle to 160 degrees.
Live View is now included, with a dedicated Live View button, along with full HD video at 1920x1080, but unlike the EOS 500D, there is a range of frame rates available (30, 25 and 20) and an external stereo mic jack for improved sound quality.
To combat dust, the EOS 550D features Canon’s EOS Integrated Cleaning System to shake unwanted debris from the sensor with high-frequency vibrations. The anti-shake system is lens based, and the supplied 18-55mm lens features Canon’s Image Stabilizer (IS) system that allows you to shoot up to 4-stops slower than would normally be achievable while hand-holding.
With the arrival of the 550D, there’s also the introduction of a new battery – no big deal if it’s your first D-SLR, but if you’re upgrading from an existing model, it could be an issue if you’ve invested in spare batteries. There’s also a new, dedicated battery grip in the shape of the BG-E8.
Storage is via SD/SDHC, but it can also accept the latest generation of SDXC cards that promise capacities up to 2TB.
Performance & handlingThe Canon EOS 550D can shoot 6 RAW files consecutively at 3.7fps, while it fares a bit better with JPEGs, at 34 shots before the buffer slows down. This is actually slower than the EOS 500D, but again remember that the files are larger.
Like the 500D, the 550D uses a 9-point AF system arranged in a diamond formation and while this offers a good coverage in the centre, it may require you to recompose if the area of interest is towards the corners of the frame. AF point selection is straightforward, however, using the front command wheel with the AF selector button to toggle through the points. The only cross-type AF sensor (sensitive to both the horizontal and vertical) is the central point, but the outer points also lock on with relative ease.
There’s no top-plate LCD, but instead, all the information is shown on the rear screen. Shooting info is very clearly displayed, and it’s refreshing to have a 3:2 aspect ratio screen to review your images on, while the 1,040k dot resolution is excellent. The shooting information now overlays the image, rather than appearing along a black strip just below it.
It’s also dead simple to quickly zoom in on your shots to check sharpness, while also scanning through frames quickly.
Live View activation is painless, thanks to the dedicated Live View button next to the viewfinder, while there’s a choice of 3 AF modes – Live mode (contrast detect), Face Detection Live mode (contrast detect), and Quick mode (phase detect). HD video is straightforward to set up too, and AF is possible during the recording process.
Core controls such as ISO, White Balance and Drive have dedicated buttons, making the EOS 550D really quick to use in the field, while the Quick Menu button allows you to quickly toggle through and adjust a range of settings on the screen.
Value & VerdictAt £849 with Canon’s standard kit lens, the Canon 550D is by no means cheap – especially for a camera aimed more towards first-time shooters rather than more experienced users. As with most new models though, you can expect the price to fall over time, but it’s going to be a while before it’s within touching distance of other entry level models like Nikon’s D5000, which is around £300 cheaper.
While it would have been nice to see a slightly zippier buffer and more advanced AF for the calibre of camera, the Canon EOS 550D is the best equipped and most complete consumer D-SLR currently available.
The resolution and ISO performance are class-leading, while results stand up to very close scrutiny. Then there’s the HD video capabilities - it’s the most affordable full HD D-SLR with a 30fps rate. The other alternative is the Panasonic GH1 at just over £1000, though that is with a superior kit lens.
If you must have the latest and best and are willing to pay a premium, then you certainly won’t be disappointed with the EOS 550D, as it’s a great camera. Many will be just as happy though, with the more affordable Canon EOS 500D or Nikon D5000, which are priced a bit more realistically.
IMAGE QUALITYMetering One of the big changes with the Canon EOS 550D is the upgrade of the metering system. Out goes the 35-zone system that was in the EOS 500D, and in comes the more sophisticated 63-zone dual-layer iFCL metering system that was first seen on the semi-pro EOS 7D.
The EOS 550D coped well with this tricky high-contrast scene, getting the exposure pretty much spot-on. Detail is retained in the highlights, while there’s still plenty of detail in the shadow areas, too. In some situations, it did over-expose a touch, but on the whole it coped very well.
DetailWith a hefty 18Mp chip, files are just over 50MB when opened in Photoshop, while the native image is just a touch under A3 at 300ppi. If A3 isn’t enough, it’s easily possible to push it to A2 with minimal interpolation. As you can see, detail is resolved very well indeed, even under close inspection.
NoiseThough there are a lot of pixels crammed onto the APS-C sized sensor, the gapless micro lenses have resulted in a strong performance at high ISOs. Even up at the top limit with an ISO equivalent of 12,800 (the H setting), it still displayed very solid results.
AT A GLANCEStreet price (with 18-55mm kit lens): £849
Resolution: 18Mp (5184x3456 pixels)
Lens mount: Canon EF-S
Focal length multiplication: 1.6x
Focusing: 9-point selectable
Burst rate: 3.47fps (6 RAW & 34 JPEG)*
Write times: 2.5 secs (RAW), 2sec (JPEG)
ISO range: 100-6400, expandable to 12,800 (H)
Shutter range: 30secs-1/4000secs, Bulb
Monitor: 3.0in, 1,040k dot VGA
Video: Yes: 1920x1080 @ 30fps
Storage: SD/SDHC/SDXC
Weight: 530g
Live View: Yes
Dimensions: 129x97x62m
www.canon.co.uk