Canon 50D vs 550D

[froot]

I'm looking to buy myself a camera body.

Currently I have an 18-55 (the std one), L series (70-200 and the 100-400) and the 1.4x extender, so I don't want to go out for another lens.

Which of these two are the best value for money at the end of the day?
I know the 550D has 1080p video (at 24/32fps) and 720p at 60fps but I'm not really bothered about it, I probably won't even use it.
Then the 550D has 18MP compared to the 15MP that the 50D has, but at the moment the 450D I use has 12MP and it's already enough...
Then lastly the continuous shooting of the 50D is better at 6.3fps vs the 550D's 3.7fps.
The only annoyance of the 50D is that it's like 300g heavier than the 550D... (metal vs plastic)
What are your opinions on this, and the other factors?

 

[Nod]

A review I read mentioned:

It is these photographers, who already own a higher-end DSLR, that I think will really appreciate the 550D. Despite the entry-level ergonomics, and the inclusion of beginner-friendly features like Creative Auto mode, the 550D is actually closer to the EOS 7D in terms of specification. Crucially, it delivers this specification at a fraction of the size and weight, not to mention a lower price.

As you can see from the shooting that we've done for this test, the EOS 550D sets new standards for resolution in its class. In favorable conditions, in raw mode, it is clear that the 550D can unequivocally resolve more detail than an equivalent camera with 12 or 14 million pixels. Resolution in JPEG mode is lower than RAW, as we would expect, but at a pixel level, the difference should not concern most users. Unfortunately, however, the high pixel count of the 550D's CMOS sensor is something of a double-edged sword. Whilst it means that in optimal conditions, with a high quality lens attached, detail resolution is superb, it can also mean that when viewed at 100% on screen, images taken with cheaper, lower quality optics (including the bundled 'kit' option 18-55mm) look distinctly sub-par. It's an obvious point - higher resolution sensors make higher demands on lenses - but it is one which is easily overlooked in the race to put higher and higher pixel counts into low-end and enthusiast DSLRs.

The unavoidable fact is that to get the most out of the 550D's sensor you really need to pair it with Canon's better lenses, which is a considerable investment. Arguably, this is academic for most enthusiast photographers, since most of the time digital images are either admired onscreen or in small (sub-A4) prints. Of course if this is how you primarily view your images (and if we're honest, for most of us it is), it could be argued that packing 18 million pixels is somewhat unnecessary in the first place.

That said, the bottom line here is that the EOS 550D offers excellent image quality in a range of different conditions, including exceptionally low light, thanks to its usable ISO 12800 setting. Image quality is equal or better than its predecessor the EOS 500D, and not noticeably inferior to the considerably more expensive EOS 7D.

 

[froot]

A review I read mentioned:

Cool thanks.

I will mostly use it with the 70-200m L lens that I have, as the other camera has the 1.4x and the 100-400mm L lens on it.

If I have money at a later stage I'll look at a decent short lens.

How would the 550D compare to the 450D? iirc it's pretty much a new version with some extra bits (more MP and the video)? Both the 450D and 550D are only 3.4fps, which doesn't particularly bother me though. I do when I go to the Kruger Park take a lot of photos, but I'm also very much a still photographer, so static images are probably my focus.

 

[koffiejunkie]

The 550D has the new, more sophisticated metering system (from the 7D), and the sensor is marginally better than the one in the 50D. Unless you want fast FPS or focus tracking, or you're expecting it to get wet a fair bit, there's little reason to get the 50D if you're happy with the 450D.

Why do you want to upgrade? 450D to 550D is that much of a jump, unless you're after resolution (you said you're not) or video. Seems to me that money could go into nice glass

 

[froot]

Well the 450D is actually my mom's.... I have been using it though, which is why I'd rather get my own. Having two lenses (the 200mm and the 400mm) means I don't have to buy a long lens for now.
The 18-55mm will do for now if I look at the 50D/550D, I'd be looking at this if I get the money... Canon EF 17 - 40 mm f 4.0 L ... goes for R8000 at the moment.

My budget is about R8500 though, which is why I can't go for the 7D ( :drool: )

 

[bwana]

I will mostly use it with the 70-200m L lens that I have, as the other camera has the 1.4x and the 100-400mm L lens on it.

Interesting choice. You don't mind losing AF?

 

[froot]

Interesting choice. You don't mind losing AF?

Nah, it's not too bad. If needed I just remove the 1.4x.
I use the MF on the 70-200+1.4x most of the time anyways. It's just when you don't have time on your hands that AF is really needed.

The AF remains with the combination on the 7D and up though, so I'm not sure what the difference is.

 

[koffiejunkie]

The AF remains with the combination on the 7D and up though, so I'm not sure what the difference is.

More sensitive focus points, I guess.

 

[froot]

More sensitive focus points, I guess.

Okay yeah obviously those are true. Probably why AF is disabled on these then.

 

[bwana]

The AF remains with the combination on the 7D and up though, so I'm not sure what the difference is.

Do you know this from experience or assuming it will? I thought it was only the 1D series that retained AF at f/8. I'd test it but I don't have any lenses that slow that will take my TC.

 

[froot]

Do you know this from experience or assuming it will? I thought it was only the 1D series that retained AF at f/8. I'd test it but I don't have any lenses that slow that will take my TC.

Well that comes straight out of the manual for the lens. I will check to make sure but I'm very certain the 7D is included.

 

[bwana]

Well that comes straight out of the manual for the lens. I will check to make sure but I'm very certain the 7D is included.

I'd be interested to see if that was the case. Canon says the 7D can be used with any lens, or lens + tc combo, with "effective maximum apertures of f/5.6 or faster" which would seem to rule out at least the long end of, the 100-400 with the 1.4 tc.

There has to be some wiggle room somewhere - otherwise my old 150-500 sigma wouldn't have focused on the long end where it was f/6.3.

 

[froot]

Quite true.

Now I'd like to hear your opinion too though, with the two above mentioned bodies. I can get the 50D for 8299 or the 550D with an ok lens (not the 18-55) for 8399. Otherwise I can spend 4500 on a 450D again and get something like the 28-105mm which goes for about R7500.

 

[bwana]

Quite true.

Now I'd like to hear your opinion too though, with the two above mentioned bodies. I can get the 50D for 8299 or the 550D with an ok lens (not the 18-55) for 8399. Otherwise I can spend 4500 on a 450D again and get something like the 28-105mm which goes for about R7500.

Tough call but since you say you're not into video and you spend a bit of time in the bush I'd probably go for the 50D. The weather sealing is handy (I'm not sure which 70-200 you have though) and the higher frame rate is going to be a bonus.

I do have a pair of 400Ds that I've been beating the heck out of for the past 3-4 years now and they've survived so who knows. Maybe the build quality of these consumer bodies are under rated?

 

[Dolby]

I think the weather sealing, more sensitive AF and speed are the only pros of the 50D. Other than that - 550D all the way.

All reviews put the IQ of the 550D ahead. There's a site that compares the sensors and again, the 550D is ahead. My gripe is that it looked like a toy compared

Oh - and I'd bet a 60D is on the way within a month or so. A pure guess, but I'd think around R11k-R12k

 

[koffiejunkie]

Tough call but since you say you're not into video and you spend a bit of time in the bush I'd probably go for the 50D. The weather sealing is handy (I'm not sure which 70-200 you have though) and the higher frame rate is going to be a bonus.

Keeping track of something that's running is a heck of a lot easier, in my view, with the 50D's AF too.

All reviews put the IQ of the 550D ahead. There's a site that compares the sensors and again, the 550D is ahead.

While that's true, you have to keep in mind that, while those difference are made to look big on paper, they're marginal at best. The 50D supposedly has worse IQ than the 40D had. Really? With about 30,000 shots from each, I'm having a really difficult time telling the difference.

 

[Dolby]

True ... like many things, it may be very difficult to see a real world difference.

By the way, for those looking for a 550D http://www.makro.co.za/p/36512/canon-550d-twin-lens-bundle/ Macros has the body, 18mm-55mm lens and a 55mm-250mm lens for R9,999.00 ... which I think is an awesome price!

 

[froot]

True ... like many things, it may be very difficult to see a real world difference.

By the way, for those looking for a 550D http://www.makro.co.za/p/36512/canon-550d-twin-lens-bundle/ Macros has the body, 18mm-55mm lens and a 55mm-250mm lens for R9,999.00 ... which I think is an awesome price!

Yeah, the shop I go to (Foto Digital World): EOS 550D Twin lens bundle R9,899.00

It's a special that comes through from Canon.

I don't want to specifically buy a camera that comes with a lens. Would rather buy a proper lens (you ever tried googling the 18-55mm bundle lens? It works fine for me, but apparently it's not the quality that ie the L range offers).

 

[froot]

I was looking at getting the 60D when it comes out (release date is apparently November/December), but the rrp is $1200.... which will relate to about R12000 for us.... it will be within my budget then but I'd rather save and buy some nice close-up glass.

 

[bwana]

I don't want to specifically buy a camera that comes with a lens. Would rather buy a proper lens (you ever tried googling the 18-55mm bundle lens? It works fine for me, but apparently it's not the quality that ie the L range offers).

I recently had to shoot a group portrait with it in a fairly high contrast situation on my 7D and I spent more time removing fringing than anything else. Barrel distortion is also pretty noticeable but I understand that has been rectified with the IS version.