This is big news, for all those people struggling with the 500D/ T1i and it’s 20fps 1080p or 720 30fps with lack of manual control and can’t afford a 7D then this camera is for you. It’s retailing for just $800 body only!
- 1080p: 1920 x 1080 pixels at 30fps (actually 29.97fps)
- 1080p: 1920 x 1080 pixels at 25fps
- 1080p: 1920 x 1080 pixels at 24fps (actually 23.976fps)
- 720p: 1280 x 720 pixels at 60fps (actually 59.94fps)
- 720p: 1280 x 720 pixels at 50fps
- SD: 640 x 480 pixels at 60fps (actually 59.94fps)
- SD: 640 x 480 pixels at 50fps
It also has a 3.5mm microphone jack, but unlikely to have manual controls for that.
It also has a new feature called movie crop which takes the centre of the image, and gives you a digitally zoomed in SD picture so you can get more out of your lenses if you are not worried about losing HD. I can’t see a use for this myself or in a professional situation as it is just a digital zoom but consumers may find this useful.
It shoots up to 6400 ISO too. Interestingly it seems the LCD is slightly higher resolution than the 7D too…
The camera is a massive step up from the previous model and really challenges the 7D, certainly in movie mode. Be very interesting to do a side by side of these cameras! You don’t have a number of features of the 7D, like dual processor, faster still FPS, weatherproofing and many of the top notch still features that the 7D offers but for video users, especially students, hobbyists and people dipping a tentative toe into the HD-DSLR market this looks to be sure bet. The key thing is it has full manual exposure control from the get go. This is from the official press release in the video section… I love the way Canon still calls people who buy this camera all photographers, there needs to be a new word for the hybrid users! “Photographers can also take manual control over exposure settings, changing the depth of field and degree of motion blur to shoot more creatively”
It’s funny to hear people complain about the release of this camera. From 5dmkII owners who are waiting to the firmware (it’s coming!) but more from new 7D owners. Guys/ gals you will be able to afford a B camera so cheaply soon and every pro should have two bodies. Suddenly the idea of a second body for many is much more affordable!
Here are the main features including it’s still capture capabilities:
- 18 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
- DIGIC 4 processor with ISO 100-6400 (Expansion to 12800)
- Continuous shooting at 3.7fps
- Full HD movie recording with manual control and selectable frame rates
- 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 Clear View LCD with 1,040k dots
- iFCL metering System with 63-zone Dual-layer Metering Sensor
- Quick Control screen to change shooting settings
- Exposure compensation +/-5 stops.
- Select maximum value for Auto ISO
- External Microphone socket
- Movie crop function
paul cheshire
March 5, 2010 at 16:40i’m lost now. I have a jvc everio 3ccd and always thought that 3ccd was just bettter. All digital cameras seem to distort a bit and have trouble with movmement, but i recently bought an old canon pro super 8 camera and after spending 30 quid and three weeks ended up with 3 minutes of blur; bum!
I’m thinking of geting a 505 but still wander why it looks like a still camera if its good for filmaking.
Ay advice please as i can’t afford to waste £800 really? Is my 3ccd jvc really that much inferior? Thanx
pbloom
March 6, 2010 at 12:45i cant really answer that Paul…look at images see what you prefer and yes it looks like that because it is a still camera!
paul cheshire
March 7, 2010 at 00:58with a mic input so therefore not just a still camera, more a dual purpose camera yeah? okay thanks for that.
Frank Ap
February 28, 2010 at 18:48So what should i use? neither of those mics would work even if i put the mics of boom poles?
pbloom
March 1, 2010 at 05:21you need an XLR shotgun mic
Frank Ap
February 26, 2010 at 15:35Hey Philip, i ordered the T2i yesterday and its already here today!… i want to know what mics better for making films with alot of lines, either the Rode stereo on camera mic, or the ntg3 shotgun mic, price is not a mater between the two. Thank You
pbloom
February 26, 2010 at 15:39neither! films with dialogue need proper separate audio really, not a camera mic
Damien Woods
February 26, 2010 at 07:32My 450D died, so now I am waiting for my new 550D from Hong Kong.
HD Video, here I come!
pbloom
February 26, 2010 at 15:39good luck!
Kirk Gaydon
February 26, 2010 at 07:18As a regular EX3 user, I want to order a Canon 550D. You mentioned that it probably won’t have any audio level controls? is this the same with the 5D & 7D or do they have audio level features? What would you suggest for audio options? Could I plug an external device on the back to give me control of audio levels from the mic output?
pbloom
February 26, 2010 at 15:41check out my beachtek review from a few days back
NewFilmmaker
February 26, 2010 at 01:33Thank You … and Sorry! T2i Ordered!
I have been watching and being inspired by this site for a while now and am one of the likely new batch of -no experience- filmmakers to be created by the T2i. I thank you and apologize at the same time. I hope not to muddle the reputations of true talented dslr filmmaker such as yourself. I just ordered mine from B&H today! I am very excited! Thanks!
pbloom
February 26, 2010 at 02:37have fun with it. i hope you ordered it through my link!!
Seth
February 23, 2010 at 06:09As someone who is just getting into using DSLRs especially for video, what would you guys recommend. 550D or the GH1? Advantages and Disadvantages?
Thanks.
pbloom
February 23, 2010 at 06:16i would say 550d, but yet to touch one…mostly due to the full HD has a usable bitrate, the gh1 is too low
Isolde
February 24, 2010 at 16:32hi philip bloom,
how does the single sensor compare to semi-pro video camcorders, say the sony xdcam ex?
does the 550d come close or is this a silly question?
pbloom
February 25, 2010 at 02:57No idea. not got the camera yet!
Albert
February 20, 2010 at 05:22Hello,
Intrigued as I was by the 550D, I did some snooping. I found this video on Canon’s site which is sample from the T2i/550d.
There is obvious noise in some shots but still very beautiful colors.
http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/samples/eos550d/player_book_of_days/movie.html?high
Enjoy!
-Albert S.
Rabie
February 18, 2010 at 21:30Hi philip ,
what with the bending of the video in full hd,i mean you know when you shoot in 25p full hd you have some bend and shake that deforme the image when you make fast mouvements. i wil be happy if you answer my question.thanks
Al
February 18, 2010 at 12:18Hi Philip,
what are your thoughts regarding the SD only factor? Which do you prefer, SD or CF?
reliablility and speed issue?
or is it of nil concern?
cheers
Shean
February 16, 2010 at 23:14It looks like this is the answer to my problems. I was just about to buy a 7D and found out about this 550D. I’m much more comfortable with purchasing this camera even with it’s short comings. I’m from a video background, so this is all new to me. When Canon brings out the next generation of DSLR’s I’ll be ready for something bigger like a 5D MkIII, as I’ll have enough experience with DSLR cameras to know what to do.
BTW thanks Philip for your website, it’s helped me and many others a lot. Keep up the good work
Chandra
February 16, 2010 at 10:34Oops.. It gets cheaper and cheaper.. as always.
FrankApollonio
February 15, 2010 at 18:48HI, im new to the dslr filmmaking and i really wanted your input on what u think is the best on camera mic for the new 550d coming out…
pbloom
February 15, 2010 at 20:25will the RODE video mic
Alex G.
February 15, 2010 at 18:00I don’t know about you, but the body specs for the T2i look identical to the T1i, which I’m afraid is going to break in my hands every time I use one. I’m still going to buy a 7D, the build quality itself is worth the extra thousand.
Andrew Howe
February 15, 2010 at 14:00DXO have posted results based on a pre-production 550D. This is a stills test not video but makes interesting reading. On paper it is very close to the 7D but trails a little on ISO. Always a step up from the 500D though.
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/eng/Image-Quality-Database/Canon/EOS-550D-pre-production
Benn
February 15, 2010 at 13:11What is wrong with Canon asking $800 in the U.S and £800 in the UK? Absolute jokers!
Quim Bel
February 15, 2010 at 16:38Don’t forget the euro, they’re kidding us too!!
Adam Erbacher
February 14, 2010 at 06:15I’m wondering if the single processor on the 550D will reduce the overheating that the 7D can suffer from. Less processors = less heat, right?
pbloom
February 14, 2010 at 08:16the second processor of the 7D is for stills only so can’t see how it will make a difference. if anything it “could” be worse as its a consumer camera and 7d is pro, but that is pure speculation on my part
Don
February 24, 2010 at 02:13Well, actually it’s the opposite . . . more processors=less heat. More processors share processing “activity” therefore lowering the overall temp of each individual unit.
Ronnie McBride
February 13, 2010 at 22:10OMG!!! no matter how many times I have seen this clip spun it always cracks me up!
C Moore
February 13, 2010 at 19:25Im waiting to see what this looks like, so far it sure sounds good. On my budget Ive been living with two “consumer” Canon HDV tape cameras the HV series. They are amazing in good light but the ability to have a 35mm lens capability and get acceptable results in low light is very exciting indeed. The bonus is I need the hight quality still capabilities which I’ve not had yet, and use this camera to help develop some solid “photographic chops” as it were.
So its very much what a camera like this can teach me as well.
IM READY
_________________________
As for the elephant in the room —> IE: What the heck is Canon doing to roll a SIGNIFICANT REV on their Professional Video Camcorder line….. well isn’t that a good question !!
It seems to me if they really really wanted to they could go head to head with RED on the Scarlet release. Im not talking about just retrofitting the existing line to some solid state acquisition and a new codec. How about a WHOLE NEW camera. Could be they just don’t have the R&D resources to play in both the SLR and Video world.
pedrombracho
February 13, 2010 at 12:18Hi! very nice blog… can anyone help me please? I’m going to buy the new t2i body only.. is there a good walk around lens (tight budget) that perfectly match my camera??? what are your preferences? i’m just a begginer in the dslr world and want to spend my money wisely… i know is a great camera, but i don’t know nothing almost about lenses, besides the basics… i know that a zoom lens could be a good walk around lens but, i dont now wich one! you think you can help?? many thanks from Venezuela
Daniel Blanco
February 15, 2010 at 18:50Maybe you sould buy it with the kit lens (18-55). Then, get a “cheap” fast prime, like Canon 50mm 1.8, and a budget zoom (50-200mm, for example). Whit this combination, you’ll cover from 18 to 200mm focal and will have a fast prime for some shots.
Of course, I’m just a newbie, so don’t take this too seriously. I’m just trying to give some answer, since nobody has done it.
Hope it helps.
Regards,
Dani
Pedro Bracho
February 17, 2010 at 00:35thnxs dani.. it sounds fair to me.. i’ll do my research! you’re a newbie too? maybe not that newbie like i am! lol.. what’s your camera/ lens?
Wheat
February 13, 2010 at 00:47“I’m getting a Flip” Hysertical! LMFAO. Good stuff.
Vincent oliver
February 12, 2010 at 16:15Funny, if you do a search for iPAD on YouTube you will see exactly the same movie. This time with the iPAD not Canon. Perhaps Hitler was expecting a new Cannon.
STR
February 12, 2010 at 04:39@ Downfall Youtube video:
Definitely the best so far !
“It’s not the wand , but the magician who wields it ”
” Rebel Stalin ”
“I’m getting a Flip Mino”
and the talk of groundhog day in the bunker + how it was shot on kodak 35mm with no bokeh…
All made me laugh, loved it. – awesome stuff phil – perfectly sums up the situation + peoples reactions!!
Andy
February 11, 2010 at 19:30Phil I know that you like the GH1, is this new wonder good enough to think about changing???? I was, like everyone else, thinking of 7d . Is the low light going to much better, the banding on the GH1 is a bit of an issue with work I am using for at the mo. Also the 24p footage does not respond to editing how I would like is this the codec? If so would the 550d be better bet? Anyone else have any input please feel free need a bit of assistance. Lens are a factor I guess, must commit at one point.
Cheers al.
PS this camera is drawing attention and canon must be loving it….5d Firmware anyone……?
Alex G.
February 11, 2010 at 15:21Will the larger screen still be compatible with the Z-Finder?
Gabriel Florit
February 11, 2010 at 14:05Hey Phil,
I met you in Boston last year. I have a EX1 that I bought not too long after you started blogging about it. I still don’t have a 35mm adapter, but I might be able to afford it this summer. Should I go that route? Or start working with DSLRs? Is the rolling shutter finally gone?
Thanks again for all your work!
Gabriel
Steve B
February 11, 2010 at 10:14The script for your Downfall parody is the best yet, very funny and very insightful. Although I knew there was an upcoming 550D model it wasn’t even on my radar as I expected it to have a less fully featured video implementation, and I normally prefer a DSLR that’s a bit more robust. But I’m beginning to think that a DSLR like this is the way to go for the video at the moment. All that we know is that the next DSLRs and m4/3 cameras are going to get better with their video implementations. So you can guarantee that whatever you get now is soon going to get outdone on features and capability. If you are making lots of money from your cam, then it makes sense getting the more robust higher end cams, but if you are not the 550D is looking a good option to tide us over until the better stuff arrives.
Thanks for having such a good resource and I’ve really learnt a lot from your journey with the DSLRs. I’m a stills photographer who knew nothing about video. I’ve still not started yet as I’m one of those all or nothing types, but it should be fun. One other thing is that I think that with these expanding LCD screens the manufacturers of these LCD loupes are going to have to change their design and make them 2-part affairs – the housing to fit the screen, and the assembly with the optics and eyepiece separate – then they could be used on different size LCD screens.
joachimott | journal » Blog Archive » Canon 550D: Der Video-Foto
February 11, 2010 at 04:33[...] Videofilmer sind schon ganz aufgeregt, auch Profi Philip Bloom hat das Ding aus dem Stand gelobt, alleine schon anhand der Daten. Preislich und technisch liegt [...]
Pedro Bracho
February 11, 2010 at 01:10A little help here… Which lens do you recommend to use with the t2i (non the kit lens) for a begginer, low budged guy starting to take photo lessons?? Thxs!!!
Chandra
February 16, 2010 at 10:28I am beginner as well who bought a stock lens (with 7D) but before using it I got another wide angle lens. I hardly used the stock lens. I would recommend you do a little research on good lens (F2.8 or even lower) and then get started from there. It might sound cheaper with the stock lens but after you pass the beginner level, you will really want to sell it or regret it.
morkus
February 10, 2010 at 21:25I’m inclined to agree that a 5D MkIII will appear soon – and probably before the firmware upgrade! Something tells me that Canon have a little problem programming that lill’ firmware upgrade… its taking rather a long time for their more-than-capable R&D team to address such an irritating problem (Unless its on purpose – I mean, do they really want to kill off their camcorder market so soon?)
I hope I’m wrong…
Luis Palha
February 10, 2010 at 21:04We should complaint against the price Canon’s asking for a decent lenses. And their selling like hot bread.
Luis Palha
February 10, 2010 at 21:01Why the big fuss about this new camera. Wait ’till mr. Bloom does a side by side test against the 5d and the 7d. From what I’ve seen ( test footage in the canon site ) does not impress against my 7D. The same have been said about the 7d against the 5d ( there’s something missing isn’t it? ). Wait and see. There’s talk about a 5D MkIII late this year. What then? Another bunch of guys with their hands in their heads, complaining? For th e time beeing I’m still not impressed. Thanks Philip.
Jemduff
February 10, 2010 at 20:16FYI: DATA RATES POSTED ON CANON SITE!!!
cweb.canon.jp/camera/eosd/eosmovie/comparison/index.html
The chart here indicates ~330MB Minute for full HD
AWESOME!
Luis Palha
February 10, 2010 at 21:10That is ~.5,5Mb a second wich is not that great
pbloom
February 10, 2010 at 21:20same as 7d
Luis Palha
February 10, 2010 at 21:35Yes I know. So is 5DII. Nevertheless I still think that they all ( 5D 7D 550D 1D ) look amazing for the price we pay.
trackzillas
February 10, 2010 at 21:55So that means the picture quality will sure match the 7D’s right!!
Richard Hall
February 10, 2010 at 17:58Cannot wait for this camera to be released here in the UK. I wanted to get a 7D but the price to usage ratio for me didn’t work out. Very annoying about the UK price of £800 compared to US price of $800 but cannot complain still a very good camera for the money! For someone with a very slim budget what lenses do you guys suggest? The camera will be used for weddings and filming of general events so I am after some good overall lenses. I was thinking about buying the 550D with the 18-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens kit. With a couple of hundred pounds to spend on my second lens. What would you guys suggest?
Thanks
Richard
peter
February 15, 2010 at 07:41Hi Richard
Do you think the contimous shoot time limit of 12 minutes will cause you any problems during the ceremony? Some of them can go one a bit.
Pete
markross
February 10, 2010 at 16:35Best movie I’ve seen so far of its video capabilities:
http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/samples/eos550d/player_book_of_days/movie.html?high
Bob
February 10, 2010 at 15:28This is the best video I’ve seen so far: http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/samples/eos550d/player_book_of_days/movie.html?high
Domonic White
February 10, 2010 at 20:20Lovely – but a notable lack of camera movement. Just before I bought my GH1 I borrowed a 5D MKII and was horrified by the extent of the rolling shutter when using non-IS lenses, and by the noise when using IS lenses. Don’t get me wrong, of course the 5d MKII gives beautiful images, but at the time I needed to keep things light and compact without taking microphones off camera to allow for the use of IS.
Any predictions as to how much of an issue rolling shutter will be for the 550D?
Dave Grant
February 10, 2010 at 14:44I didnt know this one was coming and was pining after a 7D but couldn’t afford one after buying an Ex1 and kit. This one i can justify. Cheers Canon.
jemduff
February 10, 2010 at 12:41FYI: DATA RATES POSTED ON CANON SITE!!!
cweb.canon.jp/camera/eosd/eosmovie/comparison/index.html
The chart here indicates ~330MB Minute
YAY!