Canon EOS 550D / Rebel T2i 18.0 MP Digital SLR Camera - Black (Kit w/ EF-S IS 18-55mm and EF-S IS 55-250mm Lenses)

Top cam just get one
Features

18 MP APS-C CMOS sensor
DIGIC 4
ISO 100-6400, H:12800
3.7fps shooting
Full HD movies
7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 Clear View LCD with 1,040k dots
iFCL metering
Quick Control screen
Ext. Mic socket
Movie crop


Stills or movies, capture your story



18 MP CMOS sensor
Ideal for those who want to create large, poster-size prints – or crop images without losing any of the detail necessary for printing – EOS 550D’s 18MP CMOS sensor is outstanding in low light, and produces images with incredibly low noise.

DIGIC 4
Canon’s DIGIC 4 processor works with the CMOS sensor to deliver 14-bit image processing, for smooth gradations and natural looking colours. DIGIC 4 also powers advanced Noise Reduction when shooting at higher ISO speeds, plus split-second start-up times and near-instant image review after shooting.

High ISO for low light
When light levels fall, the EOS 550D offers an ISO range of up to 6400 – expandable to 12800 for those environments where using flash is undesirable.

Full HD movie recording
The EOS 550D combines exceptional still shooting with the ability to shoot Full HD (1080p) video. To satisfy your creativity the EOS 550D features full manual control and selectable frame rates. You can also shoot high speed 50/60fps movies at 720P for when the action is really fast. An HDMI connection allows High Definition playback of footage and images on any HDTV. Also with compatible TVs playback can be controlled using the TV’s remote control.

7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 Clear View LCD
Detailed checks on images and video are possible with a 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 Clear View LCD screen, which features an ultra-high 1,040,000 dots for increased clarity. Switch to Live View mode and use the real-time visual feed to shoot from awkward angles.

iFCL metering system
A new 63-zone dual layer metering sensor analyses Focus, Colour and Luminance information, providing accurate and consistent metering.

Quick Control screen
Accessible using a dedicated button it provides easy access to commonly used functions, ensuring that you are ready to take the shot as it happens.

External Microphone Socket
Add an additional microphone for better quality sound using the 3.5mm stereo jack socket.

Movie Crop
Shoot VGA movies with an effective zoom of 7x. Movie crop uses only the centre part of the sensor and allows long distance shooting without having to change lenses.

Create a shooting system as unique as you are
The EOS 550D is compatible with Canon’s full range of EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series Speedlites.

The overall package is excellent. The Camera / Lens are of course what one would expect from this highly regarded range and maker. Easy (relatively, don't forget, this is entry level pro equipment, and not point and shoot gear) to operate and so versatile it's a steal at this price alone. Battery life is very good, but always buy spares if on a really long shoot, and the supplied 8GB SDHC card has enough space for most events, however, if you want to shoot in RAW settings, invest in a few 32GB Cards, you will need them, and you will want to use RAW once you get into serious tweaking in Photoshop etc. 18MP Jpeg's are great as it is, but start some serious playing with RAW and you won't want to go back.....ONLY THING, RAW file sizes at the full 18MP are VERY big!!! (a 2GB card, will hold about 40 shots or so).
The other equipment, to be honest is a little on the budget side, however the optical gear (macro converter, tele converter & filter) does a very good job when compared to the cost of the full blown glass to do the same. Results are a little more restricted, but hey, the camera and lens are a bargain for the price so anything extra is a bonus.
The flash is very basic, but with a side mount bracket (provided) and 4 option of firing slave capability, allows a little more diversity than the built in alone. For more serious flash photography i'm sure this will remain at hand as a backup, all be it in a drawer somewhere.
A surprisingly useful piece of kit was the (at first laughably small) desk top tripod!!! But don't be fooled, for such an insignificant item, it is exceptionally useful, but add a battery pack or longer lens.... well, everything has its limitations (folded, this thing is about the size of a medium sized marker pen).
The main tripod supplied with the pack is exceptionally light, and is well constructed, but again, may struggle with longer lenses etc when it comes to comparing the stability with more rugged/costly units (it's a catch 22, weight/stability, stability/weight?).
Other Items included: Bag, OK for the kit provided, but lacks compartmentalization, sturdy enough though to carry the bits of the kit provided. Personally, I've upgraded a bit to something that provides more flexibility, but that's a personal choice.
Cleaning kit: Basic, but it does exactly what it says on the tin, and is much better than having just a lens cloth.
Cap Holders: Buy lots more of these if you are using lots of lenses, they are cheap, and very good. (they can be found for approx 99p for 5 of them....Bargain)
Overall, If I could sum up I'd Have to Say that the value of this package is extremely good indeed! Some parts have their flaws...nothing is perfect! The important thing to remember is that the provided 550D+Lens alone is well worth the money! everything else is an extra that you can choose to use (some you will, some you won't)
Camera+Lens: 10/10 No fault at all (unless you have £6000 to spend on one of the really PRO bits of kit)
Tripods: 5-7/10 Depends on what you need!
Flash: 6/10 So So (but think of it as FREE!)
Additional Optics: 5/10 Adapters, but again, think of as free, there not bad (but not GREAT)
The rest: 50/50 it is what it is, not a complaint, but can't really rave about.
Hopt this review helps.
Paul.

Following in the line of the EOS range the 550D has all the characteristics of the previous models and plus the ability to shoot video in full 1080p 24/30fps.
The increased resolution of 18 mega pixels is a mixed bag and depends on your requirements. It will produce amazingly detailed shots but you will need good lenses to get this advantage otherwise you will end up with huge files that don't have more detail than smaller images. (Remember that its the lens which creates the image. The camera just captures it)

The main improvement of the 550D video capability over previous models (appart from now having full HD) is the ability to use full manual control of the exposure. Its great for creative control.

A word of caution for anyone interested in the video capability.
This camera will NOT replace a dedicated camcorder! The autofocus can be used while shooting but not continuously and it will alter the video brightness and can hunt a bit. It will be really obvious and spoil the shot. Using the zoom on lens can be a challenge as you will need to refocus and that should be done manually as mentioned before.

It is possible to trim your videos in camera allowing you to delete unwanted time from the front and end of a clip which will save valuable storage space.

Overall a great little camera with some similar abilities to the larger 7D. (I prefer a smaller camera which is easier to carry around)

It was great to get back to Canon after some time with another brand (which, since comparisons are odious, shall remain unidentified). It was doubly delightful as I discovered how far Canon had progressed since I last owned one. The 18-55 kit lens is surprisingly good. In fact, I am only replacing it with a 15-85 IS USM to get the extra zoom range and the USM focussing. I could probably have contented myself with the excellent optical performance of the 18-55 but it really isn't long enough. The 18MP resolution of the sensor is certainly worth having and there does not seem to be much of a noise penalty even at high ISO. My default ISO is now 800, as opposed to 400 on that other (unnamed) DSLR and I know I can go higher if necessary. The ergonomics are excellent. It is great to have all commonly used functions controlled by buttons. Very little menu-searching is necessary. The tiny built-in flash is quite powerful and gives pleasingly diffused illumination. I should mention also that the DPP software that comes free with the camera is probably the only image editor you will ever need. The small sting in the tail is the price of a lens hood (not supplied). Canon have obviously decided that one cannot have everything.

Get the batteries charged, it takes a while. So you may be able to set this off early if you have a spare moment.

Read through the manual quickly and return to read the detail of the way you want to then use it. Workout what image quality and raw options you want and set the flash to your settings. Then try and photograph anything (hope you have a memory card and lens).

Now review and correct problems. If you are outside you probably took a photo. Inside it may have baulked. No photo - press and hold the iso button near the shutter, then adjust it with the wheel (4000 should get you by indoors - revert to something lower like 400 when you really start playing).

Now you have a photo - lower right of the screen is a review button press it to hold it for more than a moment. Now zoom - this button is on the top right of the camera (magnifying glass). Take more photos until you are satisfied, you have a good image.

Get out and take photos - test as much as you can, you can use one subject but play with all the lens can do then work on any features you want to check on the camera. check all the accessories you acquire this way. Then get to a computer upload them and see that it is all good.

I found this camera fairly easy to get to (SLR experience in film age) but the manual is important until you have worked out what you need to do frequently.

The big difference between this and the film age is test photos cost nothing and are available quickly. This free experimentation may mean you are confident when it matters.

The reason I got this without the lens - reviews say the lens is more limited than the camera, hence 600D comes with a new lens. I found a larger aperture standard zoom for not too much more.

So a great camera - rewards a little experimentation