Canon body - Almost time for an upgrade, but what to go for?

[stavroshamster]

Hello all,

I am getting close to the point where I want to upgrade from my trusty Canon 300d to something newer (not least because there are a couple of faults with the 300d which mean that, whilst it isn't broken, using it is sometimes annoying).

I am basically torn between a 550d and a 50d body.

Obviously the 50d has better build quality, is probably more comfortable to hold, has faster shutter speed.
The 550d has newer technology, and the ability to shoot video, and it's lighter.

I am not a professional or anything, but I am getting increasingly into my photography. My 300d has been mainly used for landscapes, but I am also interested in macro photography, and I have started going to motorsport (rally/rallycross) events recently too. I also like taking candid portraits of family/interesting people when I get the chance, and this is one area where I have noticed my 300d struggling to achieve consistently good results in terms of focus.

Realistically, my upgrade isnt going to happen for another 4 months or so, and I was holding out hope for the 60d to be released - the problem with that is that it's likely to be out of my price range.

Any thoughts?

[kalniel]

Wait for the 60D and then buy a 50D on the cheap.

I'd almost say going to a 300D to 550D isn't worth it, but a 50D will be a noticeable improvement in handling and viewfinder.

[Barakka]

The 550D is effectively the new version of the 300D, the upgrade would be the 7D...

The range as explained to me by a Canon rep was

1000D - Hobby - All-Rounder
450/500/550 - Consumer All-Rounder
7D - Prosumer - All-Rounder
50D - Prosumer - Sports (and other fast shutter work)
5D Mk2 - Professional - Lightweight All-Rounder
1D - Professional - All-Rounder

If you're looking at sports related shooting you need to be looking for a 50D for the shutter speed. The 50D or the 7D would be a considerable increase in build quality and performance from the 300D, maybe as Kalneil suggests wait for the 60D and buy the 50D, depends how much you would really use video as that's the most likely thing to be added to the 60 other than more Mpx.

[Bobster]

If you're looking at sports related shooting you need to be looking for a 50D for the shutter speed.

erm, i don't know anyone who shoots sport @ 1/4000 of a sec, let alone 1/8000!

50 still uses CF cards
550 uses SD

so if you go 550 route, you'll need to get rid of your CF cards (not sure how many you have atm) and replace with SD.

the 350-550 series are a smaller camera than the 300

and although the 300's focusing isn't as good as the newer cameras, i never had trouble with candids when i used mine.. (i'd suggest that it was because you're new to it, and need more practice)


if your budget is around 400, then go with the 550 or get a 40

if your budget is 700 then go 50

[Barakka]

erm, i don't know anyone who shoots sport @ 1/4000 of a sec, let alone 1/8000!

Sorry, continuous shooting speed rather than shutter speed, as I was refering to the 6.3 frames/sec of the 50D Vs the 3.7 frames/sec of the 550D being of use to sport photographers.

Although looking at it I did get the 50D and 7D the wrong way round, the 7D is the upgrade from the 50D giving an 8.0 frames/sec speed.

[stavroshamster]

50 still uses CF cards
550 uses SD......

if your budget is around 400, then go with the 550 or get a 40

if your budget is 700 then go 50

I have about 16gb of compact flash storage for the 300d, which obviously won't stretch as far with a newer camera with more pixels. I also have two newish BP511-equivalent batteries which work with the 50D too. In that sense I guess a 50D would be a logical upgrade.

In terms of price, according to CameraPriceBuster the 50D is currently only about £50 more at the moment (which would be offset by having to buy new memory cards/batteries for the 550D). So, the prices look pretty similar.

From what I can see, ignoring the build quality, the main advantage to the 50D is the higher continuous shooting speed, and the main advantage to the 550D is the ability to shoot HD video. Ideally I'd like both, although they are unlikely to be features that I use regularly.

I wonder what people's instinct is for the usability of the two models? I currently shoot in RAW and post-process using CameraRaw in photoshop, so I am not going to be that interested in tweaking things like colour balance/sharpness and all that in-camera. I do however want to be able to change things like aperture/shutter speed/sensitivity/focal point easily and quickly. I am guessing there isn't much difference between them though.. what do people think?

The other thing I am looking for the ability to handle noise well. I don't like using the built-in flash if I can avoid it, and have noticed that the 300d struggles at anything above ISO400 really. I am guessing that because both the 550D and 50D use the same processor there wont be an awful lot between them?

[kalniel]

I wonder what people's instinct is for the usability of the two models? I currently shoot in RAW and post-process using CameraRaw in photoshop, so I am not going to be that interested in tweaking things like colour balance/sharpness and all that in-camera. I do however want to be able to change things like aperture/shutter speed/sensitivity/focal point easily and quickly. I am guessing there isn't much difference between them though.. what do people think?

I think there's a large difference personally - using wheels to change settings rather than button presses is much nicer and faster. Having a nicer viewfinder helps you see settings and form pictures better, and the top-down LCD helps for quick adjustments imho.

The other thing I am looking for the ability to handle noise well. I don't like using the built-in flash if I can avoid it, and have noticed that the 300d struggles at anything above ISO400 really. I am guessing that because both the 550D and 50D use the same processor there wont be an awful lot between them?

I thought the 50D was more or less the same as the 500, while the 550 is the same as the 7D? That's only in terms of resolution though, which is often inversely related to noise handling. In practical terms.. you probably won't notice a real difference to either resolution or noise handling.

[brammers]

If you're getting serious about photography, then I really think you'll appreciate an X0D series body over an XX0D series. Autofocus (been better since the 30D at least), handling (twin dials, more direct access), viewfinder, build - all a huge step up.

30/40/50D are all fine cameras - I do love AF-adjustment features so for me the 50D would pip the 40 on that alone. I'd take any of those 3 over a 550D - to me this is the level where cameras stop being aimed at the auto modes and start to be aimed at serious users. Not to say that a 550D doesn't have a fine sensor and access to the same lenses a 50D does, it's just not built for enthusiastic use.

The only reason I'd get a 550 would be if I really wanted video.

[Bobster]

In terms of price, according to CameraPriceBuster the 50D is currently only about £50 more at the moment (which would be offset by having to buy new memory cards/batteries for the 550D). So, the prices look pretty similar.

sorry was thinking 500D (also has HD Video)

[Bobster]

I thought the 50D was more or less the same as the 500, while the 550 is the same as the 7D? That's only in terms of resolution though, which is often inversely related to noise handling. In practical terms.. you probably won't notice a real difference to either resolution or noise handling.

indeed, and actually the 550 takes cleaner photographs than the 7

[menthel]

I had the same dilemma a while ago and chopped in my 300d for a 40d and its lovely! You can get one second hand for about £400.

[Funkstar]

The 40D is lovely, I've had mine for about a year (i think), I upgraded from a 350D and the difference is startling.

Never mind the quality of the photos, taking them is a far more pleasurable experience. It simply feels better to use and is faster to respond. I lent my better half my 350D recently, but she's been hinting that she would really like the 40D to play with instead. This may happen if the 60D is ever released and the cost is justifiable.

[[GSV]Myocardial]

Wait for the 60D and then buy a 50D on the cheap.

What is the expected release date of the 60D as I've been looking to pick up a 50D for a couple of months now?

Wouldn't be purchasing until early August so if it's some time around then I'll tell my GF to hold off purchasing as it's going to be a 30th B'day pressie.

[kalniel]

What is the expected release date of the 60D as I've been looking to pick up a 50D for a couple of months now?

Wouldn't be purchasing until early August so if it's some time around then I'll tell my GF to hold off purchasing as it's going to be a 30th B'day pressie.

They haven't announced it yet, but it should be summer/autumn.