Which would be best 550d or 50d

whiterosesom

whiterosesom

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Would I be better with a new 550d or a used 50d for sports shots (football). And whichever you advise can you please tell me why that would be your choice. :thinking:
 
I'd take a 50D over a 550D.

Quite different to handle in terms of size so that's a personal thing but for football (outside) the better build and weather sealing would be an advantage and depending on how you shoot the faster frames per second might be of use.
 
I'd say 50D as well. Higher fps comes in very handy as does the max shutter speed of 1/8000 in bright conditions. Think the 550D only goes to 1/4000.

The two things above pretty much nailed my decision, the chunky body is a blessing though and for me the xxD range feel better in the hand than the xxxD's.
 
Would agree with Stupar. The faster fps on the xxD series is worlds apart from the xxxD series. Plus the body is chunkier which I like.
 
have the 50d and its a better alround package if its photos that interest you and you do not want video, it performs well and with the extra speed previously mentioned means you hit rate should be higher.
 
Doesn't the 550D have similar a focussing system to the 7D ? (well parts of it at least ?)

Otherwise I would have said the 50D was the better choice.

Steve
 
Jelster said:
Doesn't the 550D have similar a focussing system to the 7D ? (well parts of it at least ?)

Otherwise I would have said the 50D was the better choice.

Steve
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The 550D does have the same focusing system as the 7D but then so does the new 1100D and thats Canon's new entry level camera so I think it would be hard to use that alone for comparison.

I think the focusing system of the 550D on it's own isn't enough to shadow the 50D.
 
stupar said:
The 550D does have the same focusing system as the 7D but then so does the new 1100D
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Bzzzzt... Nope. The 7D has a far superior focusing system - and is one of the reasons it costs more. The 550D/1100D focusing systems are much more basic.
 
Arad is right (thanks for correcting me), what I was trying to say is The 1100 and The 550 have The basic metering/focusing system of the 7 but The 7 has developed it further hence the costing.

But that alone to compare The 550D to The 50D isn't enough.
 
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You might find this helpful:

5630405857_65f1ba3b1f_b.jpg
 
I.e.

pros of 550D: slightly higher sensor density (slightly easier to crop in on something), higher auto ISO (if you use this, you can get 4x the shutter speed to help freeze action in lower light - at the expense of noise), video (if important).
pros of 50D: better af system (all points cross type - useful if you're focusing and NOT using the centre point), higher fps (allows a burst of images to select the best action shot)

HTH...
 
I'd personally go for the 50D for the feel of the body alone. Such a massive difference between the two.

The 550D feels like a toy by comparison.
 
draiman said:
I'd personally go for the 50D for the feel of the body alone. Such a massive difference between the two.

The 550D feels like a toy by comparison.
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Yes, big lenses on little bodies means it feels like a lens with camera attached rather than the other way around. Worked for me to <ahem> justify upgrading 450D to 7D ;) :D
 
I just returned a 550d as it really wasn't that nice build quality. Size was perfect for me, but i couldn't be doing with the creaking, cheap feeling body. It felt OK initially, but little things like the flash not quite lining up, and creaking when gripped hard started to appear.

I think the plastic lens mount of the kit lens supplied really put me off also. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't actually broken, more of the fact that it was obviously built down to a price.

Think I'll stick with my micro 4/3 stuff until I can save for a better body.
 
arad85 said:
You might find this helpful:

5630405857_65f1ba3b1f_b.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks for this. Really helpfull.

It looks as though it's the 50d winning easily.

Will it also be better with shooting under floodlights. Is the noise reduction any better on one or the other when the iso is pushed up higher ???
 
whiterosesom said:
Will it also be better with shooting under floodlights. Is the noise reduction any better on one or the other when the iso is pushed up higher ???
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Take a look at the colour chars half way down this review: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EOS-Rebel-T2i-550D-Digital-SLR-Camera-Review.aspx

I have to say I think the 550D looks one stop better at noise reduction.

If you want to see what it's like against the 60D (same sensor as 550D, just in bigger body), have a look here: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EOS-60D-DSLR-Camera-Review.aspx
 
550D for better noise reduction or if you need video

50D for higher fps and better build quality

I would choose the 550D for me but each one has different needs.
 
micloi said:
550D for better noise reduction or if you need video

50D for higher fps and better build quality

I would choose the 550D for me but each one has different needs.
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I wouldnt say the 550d has any better noise reduction that the 50d?

There's a lot more the 50d has over the 550d. The 50d;

* Has a pentaprism viewfinder. Bigger and brighter (20% bigger).
* Significantly less shutter lag
* More cross-type focus points
* Much faster max shutter speed
* MUCH better build and feel
* Better control system and ergonomics
* Larger buffer capacity
* Twice as fast fps
* Micro lens adjustment - VERY useful.

...and lots more.

The 550d has movie mode. Depends what you want!
 
odd jim said:
I wouldnt say the 550d has any better noise reduction that the 50d?
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Judging by the pics on the links I posted, I would... All the other things you posted I agree with...
 
I assume you have and tried both cameras?

High ISO capabilities are much better for the 550D (same as the 7D)
Some people want lighter cameras.
The cross points are good BUT do not allow AF at f8 with non reporting teleconverters.

I have both of these cameras and tried them all extensively.

50D is better in many areas. The 550D is better in other areas.

As I said it depends on the requirements of the user which one is better for him/her and that boils down to much more than a table of specs.
 
I went from 350D to 40D, and such a better camera all round. Very happy.

As you've a 300D now, I'd suggest 50D and move up a big notch :)
 
micloi said:
I assume you have and tried both cameras?

High ISO capabilities are much better for the 550D (same as the 7D)
Some people want lighter cameras.
The cross points are good BUT do not allow AF at f8 with non reporting teleconverters.

I have both of these cameras and tried them all extensively.

50D is better in many areas. The 550D is better in other areas.

As I said it depends on the requirements of the user which one is better for him/her and that boils down to much more than a table of specs.
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I agree in most respects. However, I've never been bothered about the weight of the camera as the weight of some lenses cancel out some benefits of having a light body!

EDIT - yes I've used the 550d (as well as 500, 450, and the beloved 400d!) which is why I prefer the 50d as I just 'enjoy' physically using the 50d, it feels soooo nice. However, I will admit I've had very little processing experience with the final 550d images.
 
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arad85 said:
Judging by the pics on the links I posted, I would... All the other things you posted I agree with...
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I thought the 50d images actually looked more pleasing to the eye at higher ISOs from your link. Whether it was noisier or less noisy I couldn't really tell but the image just looked brighter and with better contrast on the 50d images.
 
odd jim said:
I thought the 50d images actually looked more pleasing to the eye at higher ISOs from your link. Whether it was noisier or less noisy I couldn't really tell but the image just looked brighter and with better contrast on the 50d images.
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Have to say I agree with the comments in the review:

TDP said:
While the brighter image delivered by the T1i/500D makes a comparison slightly more difficult, I'm still seeing reduced noise in the T2i (550D) - by an amount that exceeds my expectations. And the T1i has slightly less noise than the 50D.
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Despite my 1000d being better at High ISO, I like my 50D and would never go back. The high iso noise you see on the screen doesn't show on prints, so that is an added bonus.

I would like to go full frame one day, but I can't see myself making the jump just yet.
 
six6six said:
Despite my 1000d being better at High ISO, I like my 50D and would never go back. The high iso noise you see on the screen doesn't show on prints, so that is an added bonus.

I would like to go full frame one day, but I can't see myself making the jump just yet.
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Sorry, 1000d being better at high ISO??!

No chance! As an ex 400d owner (which the 1000d is) I couldnt take it past 800 ISO, whereby I'm happy to take the 50d up to 3200 ISO.
 
I was happy with my 1000d at 800 - 1600iso.. where as my 50d looks a bit more noisier.... i start seeing noise past 400iso on my 50d if i pixel peep, but past 800 i would only use it if i needed too..
A friend of mine still has his 400d, and he couldn't believe how i would use iso800 / 1600 on my 1000d, where as he wouldn't go past 400..
 
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six6six said:
I was happy with my 1000d at 800 - 1600iso.. where as my 50d looks a bit more noisier.... i start seeing noise past 400iso on my 50d if i pixel peep, but past 800 i would only use it if i needed too..
A friend of mine still has his 400d, and he couldn't believe how i would use iso800 / 1600 on my 1000d, where as he wouldn't go past 400..
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Which is strange as they are exactly the same camera!

With the 50d though, I find if you process high iso images in DPP, they come out far cleaner than with Photoshop/lightroom even without any noise reduction applied.
 
odd jim said:
Which is strange as they are exactly the same camera!

With the 50d though, I find if you process high iso images in DPP, they come out far cleaner than with Photoshop/lightroom even without any noise reduction applied.
Click to expand...

I must try this method... Someone did recommend me to do it this way, im just too lazy to download and install :lol:
 
I would go 50d, based on higher frame rate giving better series of shots for action such as football you mention and also the size/comfort of holding and controls with both the wheels on the back and top.

Andrew.
 
Thanks to everyone for there thoughts and it looks like the vast majority of you are going for the 50d.
 
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