Canon EOS Rebel T2i/550D Hands On

February 8th, 2010 Posted in Canon 550D

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86 Responses to “Canon EOS Rebel T2i/550D Hands On”

max Says:

February 8th, 2010 at 11:15 am
Your last leakage was spot on!

congrats

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max Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
http://www.canonrumors.com/2010/02/canon-rebel-t2i/

this source should get a CR3 rating

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Killed the 7D! Says:

February 8th, 2010 at 11:16 am
I think they just killed the 7d with this one. The only real difference I see is the fps shooting.. 7.5 vs 3.7 .. this is due to ONE digic IV instead of 2 and maybe a more rugged body. I’m wondering if this is the same sensor.. if so .. I see NO reason to spend the extra bucks for the way more expensive big brother.

- same video features
- if it’s the same sensor then you’ll have the same low light shooting.
- auto iso feature looks to be better utilized with the max setting available.

UGG.

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Bob Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 11:21 am
The 400D and the 40D were basically the same camera by those counts. The difference between them was not even as pronounced as the difference between the 550D and 7D. Still, I sold my 400D and bought a 40D. I needed the better ergonomics and speed; I didn’t expect the IQ to be any different and it wasn’t.

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Nanda Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
As many have pointed out already, here are the advantages the 7D has over the 550D:

-Different sensor according to dpreview
-AF system second only to the 1D IV
-8fps shooting
-100% viewfinder coverage
-Info LCD on the top of the camera
-Clear view II LCD (Glass)
-Digital level
-Built in Speedlite master
-Better sealing
-Better ergonomics
-Dual DIGIC IV. Logically this should translate to better noise reduction. But we will see.

While I agree that people who just want to shoot 1080p 24fps video can just opt for the 550D, I hardly see it as comparable to the 7D.

Now the million dollar question is, which of the features above will Canon put in the 60D to differentiate the product lines?

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jb Reply:
February 9th, 2010 at 10:24 am
almost everything but:
AF, 100% VF, 8 fps, built in flash master, sealing, ergonomics of the 7D, dual processor and mega pixel (probably more than 18mp XD)

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Andrea Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 11:29 am
I partially agree, but I think that people who search for something like a 7D can’t feel satisfied anyway by having a XXXD class camera on their hands, although this new camera is very impressive!

(I’m talking about “feelings” not only IQ and features).

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Killed the 7D! Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
I know what you mean, there is something to be said about the red neck strap.. but when you look under the hood everything looks pretty similar!

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Adrian Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Nope, it doesn’t – the 7D AF is top class, while the 550’s AF will only – if that – match the 50D’s.

The 8fps vs 3.7 fps is not that relevant. The ergonomics, the speed, the weather sealing are.

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max Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
not to mention the viewfinder, size and brightness

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Bob Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 11:32 am
Oh…and the spec on this new 550D sounds so good that I might consider getting it as a second body to complement my 50D (the 40D was faulty, so Canon sent me a refurb 50D). It might be cheaper than selling the 50D and buying a 60D, assuming the 60D has a similar spec to the 550D with better ergonomics. Either way would be cheaper than a 7D.

I think I’ll hold off until they finally sort out the pixel binning in HD video mode. The DIGIC 4 isn’t fast enough to do pixel binning and the lack of it causes those aliasing effects that were reported recently for the 5D2. It doesn’t help the low-light abilities either. I think that is why there is some talk about a 5D3: it needs a new processor to do video properly as no amount of firmware changes can get around the slow processor. Maybe the 60D will be the first to get that upgrade.

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Spoiler Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 11:32 am
As said this camera is positioned between xxD and the old 500D. I have no news for a soon to be launched 60D.

There will be more soon though…

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maybe Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 11:35 am
There’s no info on the AF though, for all we know it could be the same as the rest of the rebels.

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Son of Daguerre Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
It is.

The 7D crushes that.

Additionally, the EOS Rebel T2i has a high-precision, 9-point AF system utilizing a high-precision, f/2.8 cross-type center point. The 9-point AF system uses both normal and high-precision focus depending on the aperture and available light. The 9 focus points can be chosen automatically or manually selected.

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Gamble Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 11:46 am
If if the IQ is identical, they haven’t killed the 7D because there will still be a market for people that need a rugged body/weatherproofing and the 8FPS.

But I expect the 7D to drop in price now or soon. The current price difference between the two cameras really doesn’t make sense.

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Vladi Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
Just one word which makes the big diff between 7D and this: Autofocus.

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Jeroen Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Don’t forget handling…

Hmmz, that makes two. Ah well, comparing the 550D to the 7D is compering apples and oranges.

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maybe Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
not really apples to oranges. More likely Florida Oranges to Mandarin Oranges.

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Huh? Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
The Mandarin Oranges I just bought ARE from Florida.

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Paul Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Pwnt.

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maybe Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
you know what I meant.

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Son of Daguerre Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Mackintosh to Granny Smith.

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oy Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
How ’bout dem Saints

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Son of Daguerre Reply:
February 10th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Vey

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John Pelican Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Sir, it’s 8FPS vs. 3.7FPS. At least get your specs right before spreading your (IMHO wrong) opinion.

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Killed the 7D! Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Ha, I didn’t expect to get such a response before I checked all my FPS facts.. (dont forget about the FPS slowdown(http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1019&message=33633696) All I was saying is that there is wayyyyy too much similarity between the two cameras to support the HUGE price increase.

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John Pelican Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Heck, if that is a real issue, then maybe you should try using a D300 with all 51 AF pts. active or even a D3 using continuous tracking. Hint: It’s not even close to its advertised FPS :P.

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Killed the 7D! Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
lol.. I have a 7D, I love it.. my point is simply that it’s similar w exception to FPS. Your panties are really tight. Consider a thong.

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John Pelican Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
So, have you used your 7D and observed it to shoot “only” 7.5FPS in any circumstance? :P

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gabe Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
dont be a fool, what about the ultimate AF system? That is the 7D’s seller point

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max Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
and modifiable viewfinder, with its almost 100% and its very bright compared to pentamirror

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Tilman Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
You all seem to forget about the Flash trigger. Most of the other aspects have been pointed out by others…

I would not consider downgrading from a 7D to the rebel lineup. I have moved from a 400D to a used 5D and couldn’t be happier. I do admit that I do daydream about a 5D III with 3×1920= 5760 by 3840 with the ability to use a sort of digital zoom or set it to a fixed magnification for wildlife-movies.

Tilman

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Son of Daguerre Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Not really. Try fitting a 3lb lens on a T2i – you won’t be able to hold it.

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Michal Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
You gotta be kidding, 7D seems to have a vastly better build quality and additional feature set missing from the new camera.

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gnarfi Says:

February 8th, 2010 at 11:22 am
did i miss the lenses?!

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gwac Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 11:30 am
;-) I’m with you!

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DC Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
another press release tomorrow?

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Tomorrow Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Lenses with the 60D will be sweet.

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max Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
24-70 f/2.5 IS!!

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Andrea Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
WOW!! :) Why not f/1.2? :)

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RichardR Says:

February 8th, 2010 at 11:27 am
Somebody hack the 500d and make it 60fps at 720p!!!=550d!!

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Son of Daguerre Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
No…

1080/30p,25p,24p

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RichardR Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
1080p/30 is good!@!

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bob Says:

February 8th, 2010 at 11:30 am
Do not kill 60D …please. Articulated LCD,top display,Stereo mic,live video out,15-18MP,single digic 4/5

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yCan Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 11:58 am
I thought I’d see the 60D at the end of the clip. Too bad Canon. Where’s the 60D? !!

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CanonShooter Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
No need for a 60D if you look at these specs.
I think the 550D is clearly positioned above the current xxD line and just below the xxD line.

Therewith safeguarding the 7D. I believe that ’spoiler’ is right on the fact that there will be no 50D upgrade anytime soon.

I foresee in the near future the 5D2 to be replaced and of course 1DSMKIII

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Dustin Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
For me, handling and a large price discrepancy are enough reasons for an X0D series in the lineup. The issue, of course, would be feature differentiation, especially since Canon loves to update lower-level models with equivalent or better features than higher-up models.

I just can’t stand the Rebel grip and the lack of a rear control wheel.

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Marc_LS Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
The 60D will be a mix of both:

- 18Mp sensor and perhaps the same components around the sensor as 7D to match quality
- again 6.3fps. But for that it may need a Digic V (this may explain why it is not released yet).
- full video features as 550D (maybe even better with Digic V)
- the AF of the 50D, perhaps with some additional assist AF points. But not as good as 7D.
- hopefully the active viewfinder with the level.
- probably not the full weather-sealing, something as 50D

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Jepeto Says:

February 8th, 2010 at 11:36 am
Unless I’m mistaken the biggest significant difference between this and the higher series is they have Pentaprism viewfinders. I love the smaller profile but I’d find it hard to go back to the cruddy viewfinder.

Also it’s my understanding the AF on the Rebels isn’t as good at wider aperture. Mind you, Canon AF is pretty appalling across the board. We all know that.

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John Pelican Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Read up a little before you post please. Thanks. – Troll Police

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Dan Says:

February 8th, 2010 at 11:42 am
18mp in Rebel? Nothing about image quality, just marketing

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yep Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
+1

Marketing is what moves Rebels.

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John Pelican Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
You are seriously wrong. Take a look at the DPR beta samples gallery. It’s amazing, ISO 6400 looks like ISO 1600 on my old 350D. It’s practically the same as the 7D IQ, even if the sensor is slightly different according to Canon…

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Scalesusa Says:

February 8th, 2010 at 11:59 am
In looking at the sample images on DPR, I took notice that unlike other previews, they took lots of ISO 1600, 3200, and 6400 images, and they looked good.

At this price level, having usable ISO 6400 is amazing. No wonder they are moving the 5D MK III date up, it should be able to take ISO 12800 images that are usable for at least 8 X 10 prints.

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oy Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Yep. Inhabitants of 400D-land dream of usable 1600 let alone 6400.

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McGrattan Says:

February 8th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Who glued the first guys elbows to his body? My guess is that he’s hiding some serious pit stainage.

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Jan Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
So what?

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McGrattan Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
It was you, ha!

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vittoriop Says:

February 8th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
.

Welcome Nikon.
With this sensor of canon of 18 Mp I’m ready to switch
to Nikon,
7D is a 1500 euro camera with worse image than
Nikon D90 that cost 700 euro.
I’ll sell my canon lenses and I’ll buy the successor
of D90.
Canon makes Marketing, Nikon makes Cameras…

.

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diego Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
No, no, no: “Canon makes LENSES, Nikon makes Cameras…” ;-) …currently

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John Pelican Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Well trolled sir. Hats off to you.

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oy Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Your post is as asinine as the similar one you made in the other thread. Troll.

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Q Says:

February 8th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
sample video on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f7l-Z4NF70

sweet!

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Camgirl76 Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Looks like a commercial for something you sell on crap channels after midnight. They just forgot the horrible voice over.

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max Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
like those hotel ads!

hahaha

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A J Says:

February 8th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
I’m seriously considering selling my 7D. The only thing that makes me hesitate is lack of AF micro-adjust

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Jeroen Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
You could ask yourself the question why you bought a 7D in the first place if you – seriously – consider ‘replacing’ it with a 550D.

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Jan Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
+1
550D & 7D are two completely different cameras.

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Killed the 7D! Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
-1 Not at all… I would def buy this instead and spend the extra on a new wide angle.

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A J Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Bought it because of the video, and useable 1600 iso for stills.

Also, I thought the fancy AF would make a big difference to my shooting but it hasn’t.

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jb Reply:
February 9th, 2010 at 10:31 am
whichever one you choose, learn the equipment and learn it well; know its limitations and you’ll be set using anything :)

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Llloyd Says:

February 8th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Ugh, I really hope that the 60D will still be announced. Something like a T2i but with a bigger body and wheel, micro focus adjust, heck that’s all I need. Any other extras and I would be happy.

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Agreed Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
I don’t need 8FPS, but 3.7 is not fast enough. 6.3FPS is perfect.

Actually, a 50D with video is what I need.

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traveller Says:

February 8th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Funny isn’t it? For all the comments when the 7D came out about 18MP being “way too much” and HD video being “useless”; as soon as the new Rebel comes out with these features, loads of people start saying “I’m gonna sell my 7D and buy one of these”. This suggests to me that 18MP and HD video does indeed sell cameras and that Canon’s marketing department has ‘over-sold’ a lot of buyers with 7Ds. Well done Canon!

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John Pelican Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Haha, see, Canon’s beancounters are smarter than the self-appointed experts on the Intarwebs. It reflects on their profit year after year. Just compare it to Nikon & Sony’s financial statements. :P

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roger767 Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
No it says that people want the same features for less money. Or they just want the new screen and auto ISO mode really bad

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Klonk Says:

February 8th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Canon should have added the maximum auto ISO setting also to 7D. That is something I really miss. Sigh..

Maybe we see it with a firmware uodate for the 7D. (I don’t really believe it, as Canon normally does not add new features using firmware, but hope dies last)

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Adam Says:

February 8th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
I want 60d.

Only thing that I would like to have in 50d is that new metering.. I got money for 50d but I still wait for 60d and I still hope it will come out

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Michal Says:

February 8th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
But surely it’s got too many pixel and its images are soft! And it’s not FF! And doesn’t have a second jog wheel!

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NHUSA Says:

February 8th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
When I look at the sample pics on DPReview, some of the ISO settings don’t make sense…

The picture of the fern and pink flowers were taken at ISO 1250. Is that a typo? Or does the camera have these increments?

The samples look pretty nice.

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John.B Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
1250 is 2/3rds of a stop past 800 (and 1/3rd of a stop below 1600). OTOH, the values between full stops are interpolated. So, yes, the camera has those increments but, no, I never use them. YMMV.

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John Pelican Reply:
February 9th, 2010 at 5:51 am
What I think NHUSA meant was that some of the 550D Beta sample pics had ISO values that were not in full-stop increments. This has been explained: when Auto ISO is enabled the camera can select from 1/3-stop ISO values, but manually selected ISO values are still only at full-stop increments, just like in previous Rebels with Auto ISO. At least now the Auto ISO function on the new 550D would be more flexible with this ability to select 1/3-stop ISO values. It’s just strange that Canon has once again disabled it from manual selection in the name of “product differentiation”, as our goof friend Chuck W. would say… :P

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Deez Says:

February 8th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
“We’ve redesigned the grip to make it feel more happy in your hands”

Is he selling a camera or a sex toy to women???

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5DIII wisher Reply:
February 10th, 2010 at 11:05 am
lol.

≡)

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5DIII wisher Says:

February 10th, 2010 at 11:05 am
Wouldn’t the 18Mp, 3.7fps, Full HD and small-form-factor b killing 5D MkII…. slowly?

Think many who wanted and find 5D MkII to $high$ to b reached will b very happy with 550D. Maybe I should try this one.

≡)

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Budi Says:

March 9th, 2010 at 6:18 am
Here are a few observations from using Canon EOS Rebel T2i for the past 2 days:
* RAW files from this camera not supported in OS X yet
* MOV files created will test your computers speed
* MOV files in 1080p will eat up ~330MB/min and use ~15mbit/s bitrate
* Good starter lens, but I can already tell I’ll want something to supplement it
* Great fit and finish
* Very light

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Canon Rumors

Canon EOS Rebel T2i/550D Hands On

86 Responses to “Canon EOS Rebel T2i/550D Hands On”

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