550D or 50D?

[Clonetrooper]

After getting into photography more than I ever thought I would, I've provisionally sold my 1000D.

My work bonus pays out at the end of may and I'm in the market for an upgrade.

Most of my photography is of my growing son although this year I hope to get out and about a bit more to do some scenery etc.

I take the odd video of my son usually on my Ixus, lowish quality short films. My initially reason to sell the 1000D was to then buy the 550D and use that to take better quality films of the little fella as he grows.

The trouble is my mrs has gotten really used to taking pics with the 1000D as well, full auto but I like the fact she is getting use out of it and enjoying it as well. Doing some reading I don't think the video features would be that user friendly for her, so I started to think about seperate vid camera.

So I went to have a play with the bodies and as much as I like the smaller bodies/weight the Menu's and button functions, ease of use of the 50D felt very easy and instinctive for me.

I'm stuck for whats the better buy. I set my mind on the 50D and then think my Mrs would stop using it because of the weight/size. The best prices I've had without the cashback is

£851 for the 50D and 17-85 lens
£678 for the 550D

So If I went for the 550D for the smaller size apart from speed which isn't really an issue what would I be missing out on not going 50D.

Thanks

 

[hashcake]

Personally I wouldn't upgrade from one xxxD series to another, I'd jump to a xxD.
Canon cashback is running and you will get £50 on a 550D or a £65 on a 50D.
If you ask Kerso for his current prices he might also be cheaper for the bodies.
I bought my 50D from him a couple of weeks ago for £649 + £10 delivery and with the £65 cashback, it's a bargain

Some might argue the video capabilities, more mp, and the new focusing system on the 550D would make it a worthy upgrade but I feel that this would be better as a first DSLR as the XXD series are a different beast.

 

[unclened]

Personally I wouldn't upgrade from one xxxD series to another, I'd jump to a xxD.
Canon cashback is running and you will get £50 on a 550D or a £65 on a 50D.
If you ask Kerso for his current prices he might also be cheaper for the bodies.
I bought my 50D from him a couple of weeks ago for £649 + £10 delivery and with the £65 cashback, it's a bargain

Some might argue the video capabilities, more mp, and the new focusing system on the 550D would make it a worthy upgrade but I feel that this would be better as a first DSLR as the XXD series are a different beast.

I would to the same too. The LCD on the top takes some time getting used to, but it is fantastic.

 

[Clonetrooper]

It was the LCD on the top I most liked and how quickly and easy you could change settings for light metering Iso etc using the buttons by the top LCD. I also like shooting in manual as much as possible, so find using the top wheel and dial to adjust my aperture and shutter speed much less finger clumsy than using the top wheel and then pushing and holding a button on my 1000D.

 

[micloi]

The 550D has better high iso capabilities and HD video.

50D has better build and ergonomics and faster FPS.

You see what is more useful for you and take you pick