Canon Launches EOS 550D Just 9 Months After 500D

Look, it's almost Mobile World Conference time and the rest of the industry hasn't entirely given up with competing news announcements...

Catching our attention more than most is Canon, which has announced a highly welcome addition to its famed EOS range in the shape of the '550D'.

Key points are as follows:

• 18 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
  
• DIGIC 4 processor with ISO 100-6400 (Expansion to 12800)
  
• Continuous shooting at 3.7fps
  
• Full HD Movie recording with manual control and selectable frame rates
  
• 3in 3:2 Clear View LCD with 1,040k dots
  
• iFCL metering System with 63-zone Dual-layer Metering Sensor
  
• Quick Control screen to change shooting settings
  
• Exposure compensation +/-5 stops.
  
• Select maximum value for Auto ISO
  
• External Microphone socket
  
• Movie crop function

Yes, my jaw dropped at the ISO settings too what was is in essence its new entry level DSLR, but the list makes for excellent reading in general. It also doesn't even take into account the HDMI port and HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (HDMI-CEC) which means the camera can be controlled via a TV remote. Meanwhile the 550D remains fully compatible with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX series Speedlite flash units, including the compact Speedlite 270EX.


In fact, our only gripe/fear is how Canon's infamous transatlantic pricing will work out. In the US a reasonable $799 RRP (£512) has been stamped on the 550D with a lens kit, but this could easily end up circa £700-800 if Canon repeats the stunts of previous models. If not, then everyone should be happy - oh, apart from those who stumped up for an EOS 500D when it came out less than nine months ago...

Links:
Press Release
EOS 550D Sample Images (links to zip file download)