1100D or 550D - big diff?

P

Petri

Messages
51
Edit My Images
No
Hello all - I'm on a budget but trying to get on the DSLR ladder. In the past I've had a slight preference for Nikon, but they generally seem more expensive and no better on PQ grounds than Canon, plus the unfortunate events in Thailand mean their entry level offering (the D3100) is completely unobtainable now and for the foreseeable.

So I've been looking at the EOS camp and naturally the 1100D stands out as being right in my price range. Overall it looks like a good camera and the compromises it makes on video quality are fine by me as I'll only be using this for stills.

I'm slightly put off by the reviews of "plasticky" build quality (no rubber grip) and concerned about the lack of any proper dust control system, something that marks it out against most of the competition. Both of those are addressed of course by the 550D, but at a cost of around £150 more, and I don't think there's anything else in the list of extra features that I'd be that bothered by (though I might be wrong).

So I'm wondering, how big a deal is the dust control issue in people's opinions? Do the methods incorporated in the 550D actually make a difference, or is it unlikely to be an issue on either camera? Is the 550D particularly better built or does it just come down to the grip? I'd be grateful for opinions either way - thanks.
 
Thanks - I know neither of them are carved out of granite or anything, but the fact they skimped on a bit of rubber to go on the 1100D's handgrip really annoys me - picture quality wise I think I'd be pleased with either (although I know the 550D is better, it's not night and day) which means I could end up paying the extra £150 just for the grip. Which is silly!

Dust control seems like its a really big issue for some people - this would be my first DSLR so I've no first hand experience either way - just wonder how essential people think that feature is?
 
.
 
Last edited:
I bought a 500d which lasted 1 day, returned that for a 550d which lasted 6 weeks and now have a 60d. Just the build quality alone makes it worth the extra IMO, im sure others with vastly more technical knowledge than me will tell you otherwise but on a personal level I love the 60d

The 60d feels like a professional quality machine where as the 500/550d feels like a toy
 
Last edited:
Each to their own i guess. Lots are very happy with the 500/550D cameras.
 
D90cam said:
Each to their own i guess. Lots are very happy with the 500/550D cameras.
Click to expand...

Absolutely, just my View, please don't be offended
 
j3w3ll3r said:
The 60d feels like a professional quality machine where as the 500/550d feels like a toy
Click to expand...

60D feels like a toy compared to the 50D :lol: (light hearted joke, don't take it personally).

Anyway back onto subject, I'd go for the 550D in your shoes, maybe look into getting a second hand one either off here or MPB Photographic - Means you will have more money spare to spend on glass which is where the biggest difference in IQ will be noticed.
 
Hazza said:
60D feels like a toy compared to the 50D :lol: (light hearted joke, don't take it personally)
Click to expand...

LOL, many would agree
 
Can't say about canon as I use Nikon but my opinion on the dust control would be not to worry too much about it. All it does is shake the sensor around a bit to dislodge any dust. My D7000 does it every time I turn it on and off but it still gets dust on the sensor which is easily removed with the right kit.
 
Last year I was hired as the Canon expert sales assistant for Jessops in Kingston & I'd definitely say go for the 550D over the 1000D if you can. Better in many ways & it's one of the highest models of the entry level DSLR range. Best wishes.
 
The 1100D is a great entry DSLR but will leave you wanting.

The 500/550/600 end of the entry DSLRs will keep you happier for longer, with some feature improvements and better 'feel'

If new is out of your price range then 2nd hand can be a good option - but only once you know what you want!
 
I went from a 1000d to a 550d to a 5d mk II. Go for the 550, its a great camera. As for build quality, my 1000d survived 6 months travelling in a van and sold to the first person to view it when I returned!
 
Ok thanks everyone - lots of good advice - I'm definitely off the idea of the 1100D, I just think for the money involved the cheapie build will always annoy me.

I'm going for a slightly different compromise though - I've discovered I can get a refurb 500D (with canon warranty) for less even than the 1100D, and that gives me the better build, nicer screen, dust control and most of the other better points of the 550D (minus a little low light performance and video quality, I can deal with the former and the latter I won't miss at all).. and it'll release a little extra cash for the lens fund too.

I'll let you know how it all goes..
 
To be honest I have an 1100D, and yes ok I don't have another camera but I did look into what to have before I went and bought, Do I miss the rubber grip, No. Neither do I think it feels cheap either. I don't think it is the be all and end all of getting a camera. Yes had financial conditions allowed I might have gone for the canon 550D, but personally I think the 1100D is great for getting used to a dslr and its settings if you have gone and upgraded from a compact digital camera, if you have used a dslr before then I can understand that you will be wanting something more.

Also don't forget the less you spend on the body, you can get to spend more on the lenses, which providing you stay with the same make of DSLR you can you the lens on any body, so with really good care can nearly be a lifelong friend. My advice would have been to try each camera out by yourself most places will let you get a feel for a camera before you buy especially when spending that amount of money they'd prefer it if you spent your money there.

A lot of people give the 1100 a bad rep but what is it us girls are meant say, size doesn't always matter ;). The 1100 is a great camera for a beginner to get used to find out what DSLRs do and how best we want to use them, we all upgrade our cameras when we can afford it when a newer model comes despite whether it is an 1100 or a 550.

Good Luck with your new camera, I hope you spend many lovely hours enjoying taking photos and getting into your new hobby :)

Liz
 
Thanks Liz, I'm sorry if I've been unfair to the 1100D, I am absolutely sure it takes great pictures and that's what it's there for at the end of the day, chances are if I'd bought it I'd have been more than happy with it, just like you.

I think maybe I've gotten hung up on build quality because although this is my first DLSR, it's replacing an old manual focus film SLR - the Nikon FE2 - that was built like a tank. So I'm giving up an all-metal solid as anything camera and *every* option in the DSLR world feels like its made out of egg cartons in comparison, even the horrifyingly priced "pro" stuff. In this scary world I guess the little bit of premium rubber on the grip has become a security blanket..

Anyway, can I just give a big thumbs up to the Canon outlet store on eBay (canon_uk1) - after paying £329 for my refurb 500D and the 18-55 IS kit zoom yesterday, it turned up today - not bad for £2.95 postage! Even better the camera, lens, all accessories, manuals etc were absolutely mint, untouched, and packed just as they had left the factory in the original box - the box had obviously been opened and checked over but otherwise you'd never know it was a "refurb". Judging by their eBay feedback there's obviously a bit of luck involved, but I seem to have done ok here - I'm still exploring the camera but everything seems 100% so far..
 
Petri said:
I could end up paying the extra £150 just for the grip. Which is silly!
Click to expand...

A comfortable grip will make the world of difference so I wouldn't say it's silly to pay extra for something that's more comfortable.

You'll be able to take photo's intuitively, without fighting against your cameras grip (or button layout for that matter).
 
Well I'm very happy with the grip and handling of the 500D, which I think is pretty much identical to the 550D in that respect, so delighted to have got that without paying for the rest of it!
 
I started off with a 550D and it's a great camera. It gives great IQ from a good lens, AF is a breeze and works well, good noise handling, decent build quality means it doesn't feel like a toy (not saying the 1100D does either), good size and a good price. I liked mine so much, instead of selling it when I got a 7D and 5D2, I gave it to the wife so I can borrow it back if I need to.
 
Petri said:
Well I'm very happy with the grip and handling of the 500D, which I think is pretty much identical to the 550D in that respect, so delighted to have got that without paying for the rest of it!
Click to expand...

That's the main thing. No point in having something if you dislike using it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top