Canon 550D or 600D?

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Duke_Haphazard

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Hey guys, I'm looking to get into photography and filming in a big way. Mostly with extreme sports and stuff.

I'm looking for some advice on which camera to go for. I've looked at both the 550D and 60D on the Canon website and they seem to have the same spec, but the 60D has a swivel out screen and the 5.3fps instead of 3.5fps.

Is it worth the extra £70ish? Or should I settle for the 550D?

Thanks! :)
 
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I have a 600D and for me the swivel screen is only useful for video.
Liveview AF for photos is, to be blunt, useless. Even in well light areas it will hunt for focus and I find myself just giving up and not using it. This will be the same for both the 500D and 600D.
That aside, I'm more than happy with the rest of the cameras performance and do not regret buying it.
If you're planning on shooting extreme sports then the higher frame rate on the 600D would he handy.
 
Ok ,they are pretty similar,
beside the swivel screen another plus for the 600d ,
is it also has a 'zoom' built into the body of up to 10x whilst filming
regardless of what lens you have attached.
Pretty sure the frame rate is the same as the 550d though. (as in 3.something).
 
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Having a read on the website, I think I got slightly muddled with the info. Turns out they have the same 3.7fps shooting. But the 550D can film at 60fps but there's nothing on the Canon website which says if the 600D can.

I'll have to have a bigger look into the two.
 
I've got the 550D from when I was buying there was a bigger difference in price, and mainly the only difference I could find was the screen ben a swivel type.

For me I didnt think this would be helpful as others have said it may be good if you use the camera for video, but I have got my own camcorder as well.

Whichever you pick you will have got a excellent camera and wont be dissapointed.
 
They are both good, 550d can be had for good price, I have one and I am wanting for glass not the camera.

In the early and mid stages of being into pic taking you are not can slap yourself and think I wish I bought a 600d.

Try the kit lens, then treat yourself to the 50mm lens that is 1.8 i think, very good for money.
 
bmwoner said:
Try the kit lens, then treat yourself to the 50mm lens that is 1.8 i think, very good for money.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice.

I've tried the 50mm on my brothers 550D and I really want one myself. I find it really brings out pictures and also when filming it really draws your attention and can be used to create a blurry effect. I noticed they use something similar a lot of the time on the TV show Misfits :D.
 
The 550D is a very capable camera and is great value for the price. I had it as my first dslr and I gave mine to the wife when I got my 7d and 5D2 as I didn't want to sell it off cheaply as it is so good. However, apart from the swivel screen the 600D does come with built in wireless flash adapter ("An integrated wireless Speedlite flash controller and Easy Wireless technology allow off-camera TTL flash without the need for extra accessories") which is a great help. I still like to borrow the wife's and with some good glass you can get some great photos from it.
 
get the 600D the main bonus is the swivel screen which is great for low or high level shots or filming. Also you can turn it around to protect the lcd screen when not in use.
 
Duke_Haphazard said:
Having a read on the website, I think I got slightly muddled with the info. Turns out they have the same 3.7fps shooting. But the 550D can film at 60fps but there's nothing on the Canon website which says if the 600D can.

I'll have to have a bigger look into the two.
Click to expand...

The 600D shoots 60fps but in case you still have doubts, it's on Canon's website:)
 
The 600d will shoot in 50fps set at PAL and 60 fps when set at NTSC.
If you want to do video its got to be the 600D, also you get the 3x-10x zoom in the video mode to use with not much of loss in image detail. I would put Magic Lanten on as well if shooting video, its suitable for stills as well.:thumbs:
 
5630405857_65f1ba3b1f_b.jpg


may be useful.

50/60 fps at 1280x720 only...
 
arad85 said:
5630405857_65f1ba3b1f_b.jpg


may be useful.

50/60 fps at 1280x720 only...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the grid. Looks like the 600D has virtually the same spec as the 550D but with the added swivel screen. When I get enough money up I'll have a proper decide whether it's worth the extra money.
 
I was in the same boat and opted for the 600D in the end purely because it was the newer model.
 
gnirtS said:
Does the 600D do continuous focus video? If so it's a big difference. If not there really is nothing to choose between them.

(in fact what Canons DO continuous focus video? 5DMkII?)
Click to expand...

The Magic Lantern adds the option for that I believe :)
 
I have just bought my first DSLR and spent ages trying to choose between these two camera's. I bought the 550 because I don't think the swivel screen and wireless flash control are features that I really need. I may regret it later but I put the money saved towards a 70-300mm Tamron which will definately get a lot of use . If you are going to shoot a lot of video or need the wireless control then get the 600 but if not then save yourself some money and use it on some of the other stuff you will need such as memory cards, a tripod or a bag.
 
Rico said:
I have a 600D and for me the swivel screen is only useful for video.
Liveview AF for photos is, to be blunt, useless. Even in well light areas it will hunt for focus and I find myself just giving up and not using it. This will be the same for both the 500D and 600D.
Click to expand...
It's interesting how people's usage varies. I never shoot video, but I couldn't go back to a camera with a non swivel screen. It makes shooting on a tripod so much easier, especially when working very low or high.

If you want to use AF on Liveview, try Quick Mode. Though I tend to prefer the control MF gives.
 
gridlock said:
It's interesting how people's usage varies. I never shoot video, but I couldn't go back to a camera with a non swivel screen. It makes shooting on a tripod so much easier, especially when working very low or high.

If you want to use AF on Liveview, try Quick Mode. Though I tend to prefer the control MF gives.
Click to expand...
I also would not go back to a non swivel screen. I thought it might just have been a gimmick at first but there are loads of occasions when the screen comes in handy (macro, abstract, video, candid's of the children etc).
 
Oh, and self portrait (not tried that yet though).
 
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