Canon EOS 550D

Description

Canon EOS 550D

The Canon EOS 550D is one of the most impressive mid-range digital SLRs currently on the market. Investing in a digital SLR is a great way of making the step up from a digital point and shoot camera. It gives you a chance to really get to grips with the more advanced options that are available when working with an SLR. Equally, the EOS 550D is a great option for those who are experienced in using film SLRs and want to join the digital revolution.

This particular model represents a small step forward from its predecessor the 500D, but in the digital age, small steps often yield greater results and much-improved usability. It is designed to help photographers who are either new to using digital technology or new to using SLRs to develop their talents and make the most of their creativity.

If you are looking for a camera that will give you the flexibility and functionality you need to produce really clear shots with endless potential in terms of digital manipulation, then the Canon EOS 550D ought to be on your radar.

One of the most appealing factors is that is engineered to offer its users the ultimate in functionality, right down to the layout of the buttons that make up its primary control centre. It's compactness makes it attractive and ergonomically sound, fitting neatly with the contours of your hands. This is something you can't take for granted as greater comfort improves your chances of taking better pictures.

Of course, the 550D is not just about looks and ergonomics. It is also about an excellent range of Canon features that make this a really advanced piece of kit for its price band. Among the main features are a comprehensive range of pre-programmed shooting modes that have become a staple for cameras of this kind of quality. Automatic modes are a great way of helping newcomers to adapt to using a digital SLR and they make it much easier to approach indoor shots, night shots, motion shots, and so on.

For more experienced users, the Canon EOS 550D operates exceptionally well without activating the automatic shooting modes. When you have progressed to this level you can exercise much more control over the pictures you take by tailoring exposure, aperture and ISO settings according to your surroundings. It is a sensitive piece of equipment that will respond to the changes you make in order to produce the desired results. It also makes use of a brand new iFCL metering system to measure focus, luminance and colour more accurately.

Creative Auto mode also allows you to take your time over your progression from automatic shooting modes to a full manual mode. This is where its success really lies as a mid-range camera - catering for beginners, enthusiasts, keen amateurs and photographers developing towards more professional standards.

In terms of technical specifications, you do get a lot for your money. The camera features a 7.7cm 3:2 Clear View LCD display that makes it easy to assess shots and even compose images using Canon's Live View technology. A handy High ISO feature also makes it easier to shoot in low light settings where flash is unsuitable. The usual range of up to 6400 ISO can be increased to 128000 to increase your options in difficult conditions.

One of the most exciting features of the Canon EOS 550D is its HD video capability. HDMI connectivity makes it easy to hook it up to a HDTV to play back any footage you have recorded and the high speed 50/60fps setting allows you to shoot movies at 720P to record motion more faithfully and with more clarity. Movie Crop technology and an additional microphone socket make the results of shooting video even more impressive.

The presence of these advanced features in a mid-range DSLR makes the camera incredible value-for-money, making more professional techniques more accessible for photography students, users who are restricted by a tight budget and amateurs who want to develop their hobby into something a little bit more serious.