Should I sell the 550D and get a 50D

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Simon
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Hi,
I think this may well be my first thread here, anyway I was just wondering, I have a 550D. I mainly photograph birds, planes etc, never use video. I've been thinking about a 50D because of the fps. I have little spare cash so it would be sell one to buy the other.
Is this a sensible change ?
 
I found high ISO performance to be better on the 550D.
 
ISO performance is pretty much identical IMO, you really would be hard pushed to tell the difference, even at 100%.

However, the 50d has a far more rugged body (metal alloy rather than plastic), a far more ergonomic, faster and useable control system, faster AF (all cross type), a top screen which comes in very useful, a larger view finder, its max shutter speed is twice as fast as the 550d (1/8000 rather than 1/4000 (very useful if you do high speed photography which I do)). Of course, you know about the FPS.

If thats important, then maybe its worth the upgrade but only you can judge that! My opinion is that based on what you shoot, it would be a worthwhile move. Or maybe consider a 7d if funds allow?

I've had a few Canon bodies, and currently have the 50d and 5d mk1. The 50d is one of the most enjoyable bodies I've used.
 
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If you scroll down there is a noise comparison in THIS link. You can see the 50D is noisier and also suffers from banding beyond ISO 1600. I have thousands of photos from both cameras and they don't need to be viewed at anywhere near 100% to see the difference. This was one of the reasons I sold the 50D and kept the 550D.
 
Recently bought a 50d and I love it, great weight, great size can't fault it at all, worth noting it doesn't do video and uses CF cards. But there is a magic latern firmware upgrade for video. I'm very pleased with mine and it produces some great images, it's got the quicker joystick for menu navigation, quick dial for quicker changes. Overall I think this is one of the best bargains out there at the moment, hope that helps :)
 
Thanks all, now getting confused lol. Another route out of this dilemma might be my daughter is starting a photography A level in September, I might be able to justify a 50D and keep the 550D then. I just need to know what sort of camera they need for the course.
 
Was looking for a second body for football as a back up to the 60D and was close to buying a 50D, however was told that the 550D was a good bet so I went that way and have some great shots already,also high ISO matches the 60D at 6400
 
CSB said:
If you scroll down there is a noise comparison in THIS link. You can see the 50D is noisier and also suffers from banding beyond ISO 1600. I have thousands of photos from both cameras and they don't need to be viewed at anywhere near 100% to see the difference. This was one of the reasons I sold the 50D and kept the 550D.
Click to expand...

I don't get banding at 3200 ISO, if you expose and process properly it's a non issue.

1600 ISO is better than my 5d mk1 IMO.

Again, a 100% crop, from both, you won't see much of a difference. I didn't.
 
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odd jim said:
I don't get banding at 3200 ISO, if you expose and process properly it's a non issue.

1600 ISO is better than my 5d mk1 IMO.

Again, a 100% crop, from both, you won't see much of a difference. I didn't.
Click to expand...

Your 50D must be special, high ISO banding is a well known "characteristic" of the 50D. In identical conditions with the same settings the 550D outperforms the 50D in terms of high ISO noise, every time. This can clearly be seen in the link I provided and if I could be bothered to trawl through my archive of photos I could provide numerous examples showing the same.
 
CSB said:
Your 50D must be special, high ISO banding is a well known "characteristic" of the 50D. In identical conditions with the same settings the 550D outperforms the 50D in terms of high ISO noise, every time. This can clearly be seen in the link I provided and if I could be bothered to trawl through my archive of photos I could provide numerous examples showing the same.
Click to expand...

Either that or my eyes must be special then eh?

Maybe I just now how to shoot it properly?

I could also post examples but I can't be arsed, and don't really care TBH as neither are the dogs when it comes to high ISO so it's a moot subject.

The 50d has far more advantages over the 550d, other than that, which was my original point to the OP. there's a lot to consider on a body.

If you want *really* good high ISO performance, buy a 6d/5d 2 or 3.
 
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I agree, as far as a camera goes with regards to the ops needs... birds, planes then the 50D is a hands down winner over the 550D, irrelevant of iso performance, the body alone is better with the af and the fps speed.

And lets be honest about this, planes are usually in the sky.... which is usually bright... ish so the iso wont be sky high anyway, pretty much all my aviation shots are average iso numbers, 100-1600 max, to be fair I don't check as I trust my 60D upto 6400 but I know it never gets near that number!
 
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