Cannon EOS 1100D and 550D

Does anyone here have one of these DSLR's?

My wife's phone contract is nearly up and we can get an EOS 1100D for 59 Euro with a new contract.

Or we can get the EOS 550D if we want to pay 179 Euro but I am not sure the differences justify the difference in price.

I have read reviews and they seem good but real world opinion is always better than some random review.

We have other options we could take like TV's. laptops or PS3's and the like but we really have no need of any of that stuff and a DSLR has been on my wish list for a long time.

So lets have it guys what do you think of these?

2 days and 50 views I find it hard to believe that nobody has an opinion on either of these camera's

I can only offer you an opinion based on having once had the predecessor to the 1100D, the 1000D. Other than that it's down to the numbers game.

I found it to be a fantastic little travel body, combined with the kit lens it was nice and small enough to be unobtrusive but still take a lovely picture. Granted it has its limitations but it's an entry level dslr. The 1100D upped the game with the now standard feature on modern dslrs; video. It also has a full 2 stops of light sensitivity over the 1000D moving from 1600 ISO to 6400 ISO making it a more capable low light performer. The 1100D is also lighter than it's older brother at only 459g. This does have the downside of making it feel like a Kinder egg toy though.

Now of course, the 550D is a much more capable beast than its little brother the 1100D being a step up the ladder on the Canon consumer chain.

Rather than me describe each and every difference, you can see the basic lowdown here at a Snapsort comparison.

It depends on how much you realistically think you will use a dslr in a serious manner. If you've already got a decent point and shoot and know you enjoy taking good photographs and are certain you want to step up then the 550D is the natural choice. If you've never really even taken more than a half decent smartphone snap and the odd holiday piccies then the 1100D is a great entry into the big boys toys without breaking the bank and won't leave you feeling you've overspent if it becomes a toy that never gets used.

ok thanks for that

I am not a photographer and don't really aspire to be, I want something that will take nice shots but has the option for me to play around a bit with it. Such as lenses and filters and such to see how well I get on with it.

So based on what you say for our usage I'm better saving 120 euro and just going for the 1100D since any lenses or filters I buy will still fit the upper models if I do take to it and upgrade and If I don't it's still a good all rounder for days out and such.

Wise choice, too many people jump in at the deep end with dslrs thinking that the better camera they buy, the better the shot they'll automatically take. Remember, it's the person behind the camera that makes a good picture, many a pro has taken award winning shots with a disposable.

The kit lens will serve you well as it's a far cry from the shoddy old 18-55s of yore and performs admirably. If you feel the need to upgrade your setup to give you range, the next lens to add would be the Canon EFS 55-250mm. It's fairly cheap and gives you the extra range your kit lens can't reach, they often come as a kit pair.

I'd say what I always say, find a local club, there are plenty in London which have Beer nights, go along to a dutch one of those, play, look at the kind of work people have done with their combos, talk to them, find the kind of thing you will find fun!

It's much harder to give advice when its a cost thats inlcuded with a mobile phone contract too!

Clubs are not really an option since I do not actualy speak dutch so communication os a bit of a bugger.

And the fact it is in a phone contract does not change opinion on which is the better camera for an all round starter DSLR.