500D against 550D

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Mike Jones

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Mike
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Would anyone say that with the same glass a 550D would give sharper images over a 500D. The larger pixel count of course not withstanding. I believe they both have the digic 4 processor.

Just curious to know if the change form one to 'tother would be worth it.

I don't really used the movie side at all, nor rattle off multiple frame shots, or have not done thus far.

Mike
 
I don't have a 550D or 500D so I can't say for sure. But I know many people who have them and they've all said there's no major difference between both.
 
Hi Mike

I have had a 550D and now have a 500D

I took the 550D on hols to the Lake District and plumbed on a fairly new Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 Non VC lens. I also took a Canon 85mm f1.8 and a SMC Takumar 50mm f1.4 manual lens.

When i got back home I found that on nearly every shot the images looked out of focus just slightly. I did extensive testing with different lenses (which I knew were good on another camera body) on a tripod with remote release and still had the same problem. When looking at the images in Lightroom they looked really good until I zoomed in a bit. Compared to my old 40D the images were soft and certainly not as crisp as they should be. I confess to being a pixel peeper which isn't a good thing but I can't help it!!! :D I'm trying to give it up honest guv! My conclusion was that the sensor was not in the right place. When searching for this problem i did come across some people with the same problem. Saying that many thousands of people love their 550D so please don't let this put you off buying one. If mine was working OK it would be probably the best camera I have ever owned!!

I now have a 500D and it is spot on! Images are still large enough to get a decent crop if needed and the camera is no different (in my opinion) to the 550D to use although I'm sure the 550D is better at metering. The rear screen is super sharp with nearly 1 million dots and all other functions that I need are there.

I'm a very happy camper once again but i expect I'll be looking at the 5D Mk2 or 7D before the year is out.

Oh and in answer to your question i would say you would probably not notice any difference in the images between the 2 cameras, just that the 550D files will be larger.
 
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Whilst not everyone's cup of tea, there is a comparison on the DPReview site. I find this particularly useful when analysing the amount of noise from difference cameras at higher ISOs. For example, it appears to me that the 550D is a touch cleaner than the 500D at the higher settings:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond7000/page21.asp
 
This is just what I wanted. I cannot, just cannot decide what to do. On the one hand I adore the 500D, on the other maybe the 550 would indeed give better clarity or …. i spend more on better glass.

I am not a fan of the 60D, I do not need the swinging screen, but I do like the 7D. I suppose 7D is as far as I can go with a cropped sensor?

Mike
 
THE most important item is the Lens, Get the best you can afford. Aside from that it's down to exposure, DOF, composition etc which is all to do with the squidgy bit behind the camera.
 
manualfocus-g said:
Better glass will definately help. What don't you like about the 60D by the way? You don't have to swing the screen out and it has a much nicer body that the smaller Canons.
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I probably should not really have said what I did regarding the 60D, it was wrong of me to do so. :bonk:

Because I have been converted from live view by my peers and stuck at a viewfinder I have finally moved on from compacts and live view. I guess to be fair I could see little benefit between the 550 and the 60D so perhaps naively felt the only other consideration was indeed the 7D.

I am really beginning to think I am completely wrong and that new glass and lots more practice may well be the answer. I have a nifty fifty all ready and polished to take further pictures of my Bonsai in Spring when we eventually move on from this darned cold and dull Winter.

Mike
 
manualfocus-g said:
The Canon 500D is a cracker and a good understanding of shutter speed / aperture / ISO (and a tripod!) can really make quite a difference to the sharpness of shots. Shoot RAW for the best quality images too :)
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Funnily enough I have just started shooting only in RAW and doing base editing adjustments in Adobe Elements. I've also noted that I can shoot at ISO 800 and still get a clean shot. I'm now using manual aperture and when I am confident will try all manual.

Need a new pod now, I got a reasonable one from Argos but have fitted a battery grip, with the 430 hot shoe flash fitted as well it is quite heavy now and it topples a bit, I need a new pod so must go hunting for one that will take the weight. Also I am wishing to get a Siggy 150-500 this week or next so that will be even heavier.

Strange really when someone is kind enough to comment on your thread just how beneficial a few words can be. Often I think we do not think about the basics enough and start doing a double sprint before walking. Your few words have made quite an impact on this poster. Thank you.:thumbs:

Mike
 
Mike

You're most welcome! When I started out with my first DSLR (a Sony a200) I read a couple of those huge books of the "Digital SLRs for Dummies" ilk and had a great start by the time the camera arrived. Being able to comprehend why the foreground was dark sometimes, why the image wasn't sharp and why too much was in focus is a real shot saver. Digital often gives us a 2nd chance at a shot, and with the basic knowledge lodged in your brain, it's easy to adjust settings and try again. I must confess that after two years I still make basic mistakes! But at least I can fix them now :lol:

The Canon 500D produces clean images at up to ISO 800 and still produces a very nice image at ISO 1600, for indoor shooting without flash for example. I find it's best to shoot RAW as you can adjust the amount of noise processing later on. There's nothing worse than letting the camera sort it out, find the image is suffering from detail smudging but not have the chance to bring the data back!

Good luck and happy shooting :)
 
I've got a 500D and very happy. I've even shot at 3200 ISO and on 6x4 prints there is no noise to speak of. Still going to upgrade eventually, either a 7D or 5D II but I'll be keeping the 500D as a second body.
 
I have just had a PM from someone who had the same problem as me with the 550D. He now has a 500D and is very happy with it.

The 60D looks a cracking bit of kit also!!
 
used both cameras for a gig recently and found that the 550 is better at ISO then the 500.

550 was armed with the 100 2.8 while the 500 was armed with tamron 2.8 non IS.

Though I found the 550 better then the 500 its not a big leap to swap for it. But if im starting of course I would get the 550 personally
 
Well I've just tested the 60D in similar circumstances to the 500D, and bearing in mind the 60D has the same sensor as the 550D, results should be similar, if not that same as that model.

(Very early) conclusion is that the 500D produces sharper images straight out of the camera as RAW with no sharpening applied. However, the 60D produces significantly less noise at higher ISO, which is why I bought this model (wildlife at higher ISOs).
 
The one thing the 500D does well is produce sharp good quality images which is why I went for it. Now it's a case of saving up for a decent prime to really show it off!!!
 
AndyWest said:
The one thing the 500D does well is produce sharp good quality images which is why I went for it. Now it's a case of saving up for a decent prime to really show it off!!!
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Well, hands are staying firmly in pocket and I shall continue with my 500D. I got the battery grip and a 17-85 plus a nifty fifty, on what you have said here and what others have said I shall now look into some new glass instead.

Would you have any recommendations for a really nice quality lens that would work around say a similar level as the kit lens did. I mostly take pictures of my Bonsai trees so clarity is what I need most of all. I'm now only shooting RAW so that is half way there; also I am OFF of auto and P now.

Would be really pleased if you could indeed point me in the right direction.

Mike
 
I have had a 17-85 and thought it was a fine lens although it would have been nice for it to have f/2.8 but then it would be uber expensive!

I have just ordered a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 lens (£300ish). Superb walk about lens which will be fine for your little trees. The Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4 OS USM is also a fine lens. If you have a bit more cash the Canon 17-55 f/2.8 USM is 'THE' lens for cropped cameras.

As for primes, I would have thought the Nifty Fifty would be fine for that is it is a stunning lens. With the camera on a tripod I'm sure the 17-85 would also be good enough for your trees. It's all about light so may be worth buying a reflector or two or maybe a flash?

I am saving up for a Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2 Distagon T* or the 25mm f/2.8 version. These are superb lenses but are pretty expensive. The 35mm is over £800 and the 25mm is £760.
 
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550d vs 500d - wouldn't bother to be honest. get the 500d or if you can 60d, but it's still all about the lenses. the xxD series are a lot easier to use but, that's an extra for non-pro tog.
 
Mike Jones said:
Thanks Andy, really useful information for which I am very grateful.

Mike
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Pleasure mate. Choosing the right Camera/lens is THE most difficult thing on this earth!!! especially choosing lenses! it's a bloomin nightmare! :D

The thing I have to remember is that all I do with my images is pop them up on flickr and a few forms from time to time so they don't have to be great BUT.... I just have this 'thing' for lenses and want the best possible image quality for my £. When i have a spare few £££ I'll get a decent printer and print my better shots and put them up around the house.:thumbs:
 
I used to think that there is too many lenses to choose from. Now I'm a wise man and I know that there are only couple to choose from :D
 
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