Discussion
I'm looking to buy my first DSLR camera and i have around 340 pounds worth of Tesco vouchers to spend at Jessops in the next few days. The amount i can add on top of this out of my own real money is about 200-300 pounds. It's a choice between the Canon 550d or 650d, but i'm having trouble deciding which to get.
The 550d in Jessops comes with a 18-55mm lens and a 75-300mm lens. This costs about 550 quid in total, and the lenses induvidually are on sale at over half of that. Has anyone used these lenses and could tell me what they think to them?
The 650d is another hundred pound but it comes with many advantages and a few disadvantages which are clearly listed here... http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-EOS-650D-vs-Cano...
...And with the 650d you only get one lens (18-55mm) rather than two.
Which should i choose?
The 550d in Jessops comes with a 18-55mm lens and a 75-300mm lens. This costs about 550 quid in total, and the lenses induvidually are on sale at over half of that. Has anyone used these lenses and could tell me what they think to them?
The 650d is another hundred pound but it comes with many advantages and a few disadvantages which are clearly listed here... http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-EOS-650D-vs-Cano...
...And with the 650d you only get one lens (18-55mm) rather than two.
Which should i choose?
Before the people who really know their stuff get here I will tell you I was in Jessops the other day thinking of spending £500-600 and I really wanted to get a 650D over the 550 for two main reasons- firstly it has a better Frames per second(5fps against 3fps if I remember right) and secondly for the pull-out twisty screen.
However I had a look at the Nikon D5100 which they had with a 18-105mm lens for £520 and I realised that this was a better equipped, higher spec camera than the 550D and cheaper than the 650.
Then I looked at the Sony Alpha a57 which Jessops has a brilliant deal on at £499 and despite online searching when I got home I could not find it cheaper anywhere. The a57 felt great, 12fps frame rate, lots of features, seemed really nice.
There is also the Canon 600D which sits in between the 550 and 650, it has the flip screen off the 650 but the slow frame rate of the 550.
I am pretty sure it will be the Nikon D5100 or Sony Alpha a57 for me.
However I had a look at the Nikon D5100 which they had with a 18-105mm lens for £520 and I realised that this was a better equipped, higher spec camera than the 550D and cheaper than the 650.
Then I looked at the Sony Alpha a57 which Jessops has a brilliant deal on at £499 and despite online searching when I got home I could not find it cheaper anywhere. The a57 felt great, 12fps frame rate, lots of features, seemed really nice.
There is also the Canon 600D which sits in between the 550 and 650, it has the flip screen off the 650 but the slow frame rate of the 550.
I am pretty sure it will be the Nikon D5100 or Sony Alpha a57 for me.
R1gtr said:
Before the people who really know their stuff get here I will tell you I was in Jessops the other day thinking of spending £500-600 and I really wanted to get a 650D over the 550 for two main reasons- firstly it has a better Frames per second(5fps against 3fps if I remember right) and secondly for the pull-out twisty screen.
However I had a look at the Nikon D5100 which they had with a 18-105mm lens for £520 and I realised that this was a better equipped, higher spec camera than the 550D and cheaper than the 650.
Then I looked at the Sony Alpha a57 which Jessops has a brilliant deal on at £499 and despite online searching when I got home I could not find it cheaper anywhere. The a57 felt great, 12fps frame rate, lots of features, seemed really nice.
There is also the Canon 600D which sits in between the 550 and 650, it has the flip screen off the 650 but the slow frame rate of the 550.
I am pretty sure it will be the Nikon D5100 or Sony Alpha a57 for me.
Hi Andy, However I had a look at the Nikon D5100 which they had with a 18-105mm lens for £520 and I realised that this was a better equipped, higher spec camera than the 550D and cheaper than the 650.
Then I looked at the Sony Alpha a57 which Jessops has a brilliant deal on at £499 and despite online searching when I got home I could not find it cheaper anywhere. The a57 felt great, 12fps frame rate, lots of features, seemed really nice.
There is also the Canon 600D which sits in between the 550 and 650, it has the flip screen off the 650 but the slow frame rate of the 550.
I am pretty sure it will be the Nikon D5100 or Sony Alpha a57 for me.
Thanks for the response. I've had a look at the cameras you've suggested but i'm definitely going to stop with a Canon because i already have all the parts and equipment to fit it. (Should've made that clear in the first place).
At the moment i think i'm going to get the 650d as it has a lot more features and performance, but that touchscreen looks a nightmare to use, it's a hundred pounds more and i won't get the longer lens either. It's a very hard decision for me.
Will pop into Jessops again at the weekend and have another look.
In terms of the 2 bodies - there's not a lot to choose unless video is your interest in which case the articulating screen and autofocus video of the 650d are significant advantages. For still photography you won't notice the difference in image quality - they have the same sensor (also shared with the 60D and 7D)
BUT.......
The 2 lenses bundled with the 550d are a bit pants. If it was the same package I saw in Jessops a couple of weeks ago, it has the original non IS 18-55 which was universally slated. The EF 75-300 zoom is pretty weak too.
The 18-55 IS that comes with the 650d is much, much better. You can pick up an EF-S 55-250 for less that £150 which is an infinitely better lens than the 75-300. Add a Canon EF 50/1.8 (the Jessops deal to add this for 50 quid is good value) and you'll be pretty much set.
I see Jessops are offering the 600D with the 18-55 IS for a little over 500 quid - if your Tesco vouchers lock you into Jessops then that's what I'd buy.
BUT.......
The 2 lenses bundled with the 550d are a bit pants. If it was the same package I saw in Jessops a couple of weeks ago, it has the original non IS 18-55 which was universally slated. The EF 75-300 zoom is pretty weak too.
The 18-55 IS that comes with the 650d is much, much better. You can pick up an EF-S 55-250 for less that £150 which is an infinitely better lens than the 75-300. Add a Canon EF 50/1.8 (the Jessops deal to add this for 50 quid is good value) and you'll be pretty much set.
I see Jessops are offering the 600D with the 18-55 IS for a little over 500 quid - if your Tesco vouchers lock you into Jessops then that's what I'd buy.
Edited by Seight_Returns on Thursday 27th September 18:21
R1gtr said:
There is also the Canon 600D which sits in between the 550 and 650, it has the flip screen off the 650 but the slow frame rate of the 550.
I've been looking at getting the 600D (also looked at the D5100 but slight prefer the Canon interface) - genuine question: are there any other reasons not to go for it? Would prefer a flip screen, and there seem to be some pretty good deals out there now the 650's been released!Rob282828 said:
Hi Andy,
Thanks for the response. I've had a look at the cameras you've suggested but i'm definitely going to stop with a Canon because i already have all the parts and equipment to fit it. (Should've made that clear in the first place).
At the moment i think i'm going to get the 650d as it has a lot more features and performance, but that touchscreen looks a nightmare to use, it's a hundred pounds more and i won't get the longer lens either. It's a very hard decision for me.
Will pop into Jessops again at the weekend and have another look.
The articulated screen is something I have always liked (going back to some Canon bridge cameras ...)Thanks for the response. I've had a look at the cameras you've suggested but i'm definitely going to stop with a Canon because i already have all the parts and equipment to fit it. (Should've made that clear in the first place).
At the moment i think i'm going to get the 650d as it has a lot more features and performance, but that touchscreen looks a nightmare to use, it's a hundred pounds more and i won't get the longer lens either. It's a very hard decision for me.
Will pop into Jessops again at the weekend and have another look.
No idea what you have now but I recently added a 600D to the fleet and its handling is much improved over the 400D. No touch screen though. DPReview seemed to really like the touch screen implementation. Probably down to personal choice and what you plan to do with the device. 650D seems to have some nice additional features if you can use them. The image quality from the 600D is good, especially when teamed with a decent lens to make the most of the sensor. Kit lens seems fine (as was the earlier version I got with the 400D) but not spectacular. Trouble is you normally have to pay lots of money for spectacular and the improvement it can bring to any body.
All of that said .... my preference is still solidly with the used 1D3 I picked up a couple of years ago. Proper camera built to survive anything - or so it feels.
I forgot to mention I know NOTHING about cameras or photography but I am in the same boat as you guys in buying first DSLR and am going from the great advice given on here.
I really like the 650D and would buy one in an instant if it was not so much more expensive than the others. The 600D to me looks as good as the 650 but without the Touchscreen and would make a great buy as it sits nicely between the 550D and 650D.
The only reason I am swaying towards the Sony is I want a camera for Action shots, running dogs, motorbikes on track days, and the missus riding the horses etc and it has a lightning fast burst rate.
I really like the 650D and would buy one in an instant if it was not so much more expensive than the others. The 600D to me looks as good as the 650 but without the Touchscreen and would make a great buy as it sits nicely between the 550D and 650D.
The only reason I am swaying towards the Sony is I want a camera for Action shots, running dogs, motorbikes on track days, and the missus riding the horses etc and it has a lightning fast burst rate.
R1gtr said:
I forgot to mention I know NOTHING about cameras or photography but I am in the same boat as you guys in buying first DSLR and am going from the great advice given on here.
I really like the 650D and would buy one in an instant if it was not so much more expensive than the others. The 600D to me looks as good as the 650 but without the Touchscreen and would make a great buy as it sits nicely between the 550D and 650D.
The only reason I am swaying towards the Sony is I want a camera for Action shots, running dogs, motorbikes on track days, and the missus riding the horses etc and it has a lightning fast burst rate.
You might be surprised about the effectiveness of burst rates - buffer capacities come into the equation as well. I really like the 650D and would buy one in an instant if it was not so much more expensive than the others. The 600D to me looks as good as the 650 but without the Touchscreen and would make a great buy as it sits nicely between the 550D and 650D.
The only reason I am swaying towards the Sony is I want a camera for Action shots, running dogs, motorbikes on track days, and the missus riding the horses etc and it has a lightning fast burst rate.
OK, looking at the Canon odderrings in their consumer marketplace.
550D is very competent but now 2 models old. No big deal though (at the right price) because unless you really want as many Video bells and whistles as you can get, there is not much difference between the 500D and the 600D. The Articulated screen is the big one afaik. I have a 600D. I'm not into video much but what it can shoot seems fine to me. For stills it's good. Potentially great with the right lens and the right conditions.
I'm not familiar with the 650D but from what I understand the video oreiented aspects of the camera are much enhanced and this spills back into the stills functionality for Live View focusing improvements among other things. The touch screen, from the reviews I have read, seems to be received positively at a practical usability level. There is, however, a price differential to reflect the new features.
Frame rates, at around 3.something per second, are very usable just as they are on the old 400D. Especially when you consider the files are about twice the size. The buffer capacity shooting RAW is about 6 frames on the 600D shooting RAW. I assume the others are about the same. JPG should be somewhat greater.
12 fps sounds great but, in effect, you get tens of examples of the same shot and fill your memory cards in a trice. I also have a 1D3 which can shoot up to 10fps in fast mode and has a buffer of about 22 RAW +JPG files. I do use 10fps at times ... but mostly leave is set to the slower speed setting and leave that at 5fps. It's usually enough. There is a case for suggesting than single frame shooting amkes you think more about the composition and may well produce better results so long as you can sort of predict where the subject of the shot will be.
As for lenses ... the kit lens (15-55 IS) that came with the 600D seems fine. Then again the kit Lens (old version of the non0si 18-55) that came with the 400D some years ago also seems fine.
I have heard and seen good things about and from the EF-S 55-250 which looks like good value at the price.
It will still come down to what you expect and desire compared to the funds you are prepared to allocate. It may help if you can think of it as an investment rather than an expenditure!
HTH.
Appreciating the OP has some vouchers useable at Jessops. But this struck me as a potential bargain.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Canon-EOS-550D-Digital-S...
It is exactly the same kit as I picked up in two parts for about 500 quid again on EBAY. I'd expect it to go for about the same. Indeed shortly after I got mine this outlet had this very same pair for about 500 on a buy it now.
Note the lenses are the IS type not the cheaper ones which are the only ones Canon are supplying with the 550D now.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Canon-EOS-550D-Digital-S...
It is exactly the same kit as I picked up in two parts for about 500 quid again on EBAY. I'd expect it to go for about the same. Indeed shortly after I got mine this outlet had this very same pair for about 500 on a buy it now.
Note the lenses are the IS type not the cheaper ones which are the only ones Canon are supplying with the 550D now.
Rob282828 said:
At the moment i think i'm going to get the 650d as it has a lot more features and performance, but that touchscreen looks a nightmare to use
You don't need to use it though, from what I've read they've basically kept the same interface which works with the buttons and wheels just as well as previous models, the touchscreen just gives you an additional way of doing things if you prefer it that way.For me though the 650D was too expensive compared to the D5100 which if anything is regarded as marginally the better camera, £50 either way and it would have been an option, but nigh on £200 more is pushing it towards D7000 territory.
LocoBlade said:
Rob282828 said:
At the moment i think i'm going to get the 650d as it has a lot more features and performance, but that touchscreen looks a nightmare to use
You don't need to use it though, from what I've read they've basically kept the same interface which works with the buttons and wheels just as well as previous models, the touchscreen just gives you an additional way of doing things if you prefer it that way.Two/Three years ago a relative of mine purchased a Samsung Tocco Lite phone, and the touchscreen way absolutely terrible, so bad that it couldn't be used without deep frustration and anger.
After this i've been a bit cautious about what i spend my money on; if it's got a touchscreen i won't buy it unless i've fully tested it beforehand. (Like i did with my iPod which was perfect).
LongQ said:
As for lenses ... the kit lens (15-55 IS) that came with the 600D seems fine. Then again the kit Lens (old version of the non0si 18-55) that came with the 400D some years ago also seems fine.
I have heard and seen good things about and from the EF-S 55-250 which looks like good value at the price.
It will still come down to what you expect and desire compared to the funds you are prepared to allocate. It may help if you can think of it as an investment rather than an expenditure!
HTH.
That does indeed help, I appreciate you taking the time to clarify a few things. I will pop back into Jessops and have a extended play of the D600 and the Nikon D5100 and go from there.I have heard and seen good things about and from the EF-S 55-250 which looks like good value at the price.
It will still come down to what you expect and desire compared to the funds you are prepared to allocate. It may help if you can think of it as an investment rather than an expenditure!
HTH.
Thanks again,
Andy
I've only had my 550D for 6 months and love it (bought 2nd hand for £300 to replace my 450D). If you want all the latest features such as better video function/flip out touch screen than go for the 650D, but if you just want a good camera for photos than there is nothing at wrong with the 550D!! (infact I planned on upgrading to the 650D when it came out but have been rather dissapointed by the reviews which show that at high ISO the sensor in the 650D is no better than the 550D)
I've attched some shots taken with my 550D and Canon 70-300mm IS lens...as you can sees even with its low brust speed (4 fps) its more than good enough for "action" shots
Personally I would go for a 550D and use the money saved and get a decent lens...NOTE: the 75-300mm Lens is NOT a good lens.
I've attched some shots taken with my 550D and Canon 70-300mm IS lens...as you can sees even with its low brust speed (4 fps) its more than good enough for "action" shots
Personally I would go for a 550D and use the money saved and get a decent lens...NOTE: the 75-300mm Lens is NOT a good lens.
Edited by gangzoom on Sunday 30th September 16:56
As above - there is virtually no difference betwene the 550, 600 and 650 for photos.
The only big differences are the flip screen and slowly better video support.
I hardly use the flip screen as you have to use "live view" focussing, which is slow. The only time i'd have my camera at a "funny" hieght is to snap my kids so i need fast focus.
The video in the 600d is a bit better than the 550d, BUT the 650d has a new improved "live view" focus mode (which works better on most lenses but is much better on some special lenses).
Search youtube for examples of focus noise and videos snapped with each camera.
The only big differences are the flip screen and slowly better video support.
I hardly use the flip screen as you have to use "live view" focussing, which is slow. The only time i'd have my camera at a "funny" hieght is to snap my kids so i need fast focus.
The video in the 600d is a bit better than the 550d, BUT the 650d has a new improved "live view" focus mode (which works better on most lenses but is much better on some special lenses).
Search youtube for examples of focus noise and videos snapped with each camera.
gangzoom said:
I've only had my 550D for 6 months and love it (bought 2nd hand for £300 to replace my 450D). If you want all the latest features such as better video function/flip out touch screen than go for the 650D, but if you just want a good camera for photos than there is nothing at wrong with the 550D!! (infact I planned on upgrading to the 650D when it came out but have been rather dissapointed by the reviews which show that at high ISO the sensor in the 650D is no better than the 550D)
I've attched some shots taken with my 550D and Canon 70-300mm IS lens...as you can sees even with its low brust speed (4 fps) its more than good enough for "action" shots
Personally I would go for a 550D and use the money saved and get a decent lens...NOTE: the 75-300mm Lens is NOT a good lens.
Very nice photos there, wish i was that good. I've attched some shots taken with my 550D and Canon 70-300mm IS lens...as you can sees even with its low brust speed (4 fps) its more than good enough for "action" shots
Personally I would go for a 550D and use the money saved and get a decent lens...NOTE: the 75-300mm Lens is NOT a good lens.
Edited by gangzoom on Sunday 30th September 16:56
Haven't received the Tesco vouchers yet, but i reckon i'm going with the 650d. Look below, it's got much more in the way of features, all useful to car photography too. (Focus points, FPS). It's best if i spend the extra money rather than have to upgrade at a later date.
Rob282828 said:
Very nice photos there, wish i was that good.
Haven't received the Tesco vouchers yet, but i reckon i'm going with the 650d. Look below, it's got much more in the way of features, all useful to car photography too. (Focus points, FPS). It's best if i spend the extra money rather than have to upgrade at a later date.
I'm sure your love the new camera, just remember if you get into this photography buissness your soon realise its not the camera which costs money, its the lens...at one stage I had 6 different lens and 2 camera bodies, I've now rationalised this down to 3 lens in 1 body, even so the cost of replacing my 3 lens is over £1.5k compared to £300 for the actual camera Haven't received the Tesco vouchers yet, but i reckon i'm going with the 650d. Look below, it's got much more in the way of features, all useful to car photography too. (Focus points, FPS). It's best if i spend the extra money rather than have to upgrade at a later date.
Edited by gangzoom on Tuesday 2nd October 12:54
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