What camera? Please help :)

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John
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Ok I've been searching high and low for months now on what camera to buy. Never had a SLR before so im an amateur. I've held loads so advice like holding them etc... won't really be useful at this stage.

I'm going down the Canon route as just bought my misses a 1000D so we can share lenses and accessories.

It's now down to the 500D and 550D. The 500D kit lens I can get for £530 and the 550D kit lens I can get for £630 both brand new (do not want second hand). For £650 max can I get a better camera? I've looked into 50D and don't really like the weight and feel etc...

The 550D is a better camera but for £100 more would you buy it? Thanks :)
 
That's really only a question you can answer. They are very similar cameras so it depends what value you personally put on the higher spec model, and what you might do with the extra £100 in terms of additional lenses etc.

It will also depend on your ultimate ambitions and budget. As a very rough guide, most people generally get a camera and kit zoom, then a medium tele-zoom like the excellent value 55-250mm IS, and then either a super-wide or a decent flash.
 
Beware both these cameras have high pixel count sensors and need good quality lenses to make the most of them
I would buy the 500D body only and then get a better standard zoom lens to use with it, you would end up doing that in the not too distant anyway

One question, if the 1000D is ok for your missus, why don't you get one too, probably be the best one to start on for you as well
 
Edit - I read 50D, not 500D !!

There are a couple of major differences with the two cameras you are looking at.

  1. The 550 (often called a baby 7D) is newer, has later technology and features that the 50 doesn't - Movie mode for one.
  2. The 50 is a "Prosumer" body, it's the next stage up and one thing it has is the rear thumb wheel which, once you're used to, will never want to give up.

My brother has the 550 and loves it, I had a 50 and loved that until I moved up to a 7D. If it's your first DSLR, I would suggest that the 550 would be a better move, especially if you're not sure on the handling of the 50.

I have small hands, but when I pick up one of the xxx range bodies I find them too small! It's what you're used to I guess.

Both are very good cameras, but you'll probably get on better with the 550.

Hope that helps.

Steve
 
i find the 550d is a fantastic camera and outperforms the 500d in many ways.

Taken from DPreview:

EOS 550D vs EOS 500D Key differences

Higher resolution 18MP CMOS with gapless micro lenses
ISO 6400 no longer in 'expanded' range (12,800 max remains the same)
Redesigned buttons and new movie/live view button
Customizable auto ISO ranges
Improved 63 zone metering (iFCL)
3:2 format screen with more pixels
Improved movie functionality
Slightly higher burst shooting rate (though buffer holds fewer shots)
HDMI control (CEC)
SDHX Compatible


The 550d and 50mm 1.8 II work together perfectly and the kit lens in quite sharp at f8+
 
ok thanks everyone for the good replies. Made me think a little about getting the 500D and spending the rest on a lens but I would do it in the future anyway and money isn't a problem with lenses so any camera I'd get I'd still spend more for lenses etc...

Going with the 550D thanks for all the help!
 
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