Canon Rebel T2i / EOS 550D and 50D comparisons
Canon rebel T2i or EOS 550D is the successor of Canon rebel T1i. Canon T2i will be available at $899.99 with the kit lens 18-55mm in April 2010. Canon T2i has a much better movie mode and a metering system than Canon rebel T1i. Comparing with Canon 50D, the major differences are as follows:
Building quality:
Canon 50D was made from magnesium alloy and Canon T2i was made from plastics. Canon 50D is a tougher camera with better handling.
Sensor:
Canon T2i uses a 18 Megapixel sensor and Canon 50D uses 15.1 Megapixel sensor. In real life, the extra pixels might not make a big difference.
Movie mode:
Canon 50D was released on Oct 2008 and does not have the movie mode. Canon T2i is a new camera with one of the best movie modes in all digital SLRs. Canon T2i can record 1080p video clips at 30fps and 720p videos at 50 and 60 fps. Canon T2i also has a stereo microphone input for the recording of videos in stereo sound. Canon also claims the full manual control and full AF during the video recording.
AF system
Canon 50 has a better focus system. Although both cameras have 9-point AF, the 9 points in Canon 50D AF system are all cross-type sensors. On the other hand, Canon T2i has 9-point AF center cross type.
Metering system
Canon T2i has a much better metering system which was used in Canon 7D: the 63-zone iCFL dual layer metering system. Canon 50D used a 35 zone metering system.
Continuous shooting speed
Canon 50D is a much faster camera with 6.3 fps continuous shooting speed and Canon T2i has 3.7 fps continuous shooting speed. The higher shooting speed is very useful for sports photography and wildlife photography or other action shots such as children at play.
Viewfinder
Canon 50D has a better viewfinder than Canon Rebel T2i or 550D. The viewfinder in Canon 50D uses a pentaprism which gives a brighter and larger image than the viewfinder in Canon Rebel T2i or 550D which uses a pentamirror. Canon 50D also has a larger view finder magnification (0.95) than Canon Rebel T2i or 550D (0.87).
In addition Canon T2i has some new features such as a LCD with 1.04 million dots and 3:2 aspect ratio which is the same with sensor for better display and playback, the compatibility with the SDXC cards and HDMI port etc.
In conclusion, Canon 50D is a much better camera to take pictures overall for its building quality, higher continuous shooting speed and better AF system. Canon T2i is a new camera with advanced features which is better for people who need a dslr for movie recording, who use it as the second camera back up or who use it as a travel camera.
IMO, Your conclusion is very broad and IMHO not really accurate…
“In conclusion, Canon 50D is a much better camera to take pictures overall for its building quality, higher continuous shooting speed and better AF system.”
The Build Quality comes with a Hefty price. Hefty as in heavy as it even outweighs the 5D Mark II.
I Hike for long distances and weight for me is a big consideration. The 50D outweighs the T2i by 300 Grams. For Nature Photographers who Walk or Hike long distances and carry the camera in hand all the time should consider the T2i.
The Focusing system may be better on the 50D, but this difference is only really noticable if you use f2.8 or faster lenses and then only if you use continuous focus as the T2i also has a Crosstype center. Both are 9 point and if you use Center Focus they are virtually the same.
As you pointed out, the Metering System is the same 63 Zone System employed on the 7D. This Cannot be minimized. It is Far above the system employed on the 50D or 40D.
Another point is the T2i & the 7D have the Best Movie modes of any DSLR IMO and you can get 2 T2i’s for the price of one 7D.
If you are already using a DSLR with CF cards and have a lot of them, then maybe the 50D is better in this regard, but if not, the T2i uses SD including SDHC or SDXC (new standard that is rated faster and can go up to 2TB).
The T2i also has Direct support for Eye-fi wireless cards The 50D does not.
I have had All the Rebels (including the T1i & T2i), the 10D, 20D, 40D & now I prefer saving the weight/size. I have also Never had a Rebel quit because of any Weather issues and I have taken then to places like Costa Rica (3 times) and Belize where Rain and Wet is a daily fact.
My conclusion is if you Really need to take 8 Frames/sec (Why?? Except sports maybe) then the 50D is good, but if nearly 4 frames/sec is enough, the T2i is the better body. The T2i has nearly 2 Year newer technology. I personally prefer buying the latest tech-wise in my DSLR’s, so frankly I would either go with the T2i or the 7D and would not even consider the 50D any longer…
Thanks for the info Bill M.!
Bill M. Great info. Looking at buying the Rebel T2i. Was concerned about taking in hiking. Hiked Rim to rim in the Grand Canyon last summer. Went to Zion and Belize last year. Going to Kilimanjaro next year and planning on taking in to the top. I like the 7D better, but for 1,000 more and the extra weight, like the T2i. But, sand and water is my concern. Really like your comment.
What kind of bag, cover do you use for the T2i. Looks like if you had a good cover, maybe this camera would work?
Thanks
thanks Bill M. I almost believe IMO review. I too could not accept that 50d is much better camera than 550d. 50d is more like an exercise equipment than a good companion during hikes and shoots. Its quite bulky and heavy. 550d outpoints 50d in many features specially in capability to shoot videos. I was once a purist but not anymore after finding my 550d. 550d has a better pics on higher iso. 50d gets worse in just iso 400. iso 3200 in 550d is pretty much acceptable