Canon Rebel T2i / EOS 550D and Rebel T1i / EOS 500D comparisons
Canon Rebel T2i / EOS 550D is the successor to the Rebel T1i or EOS 500D, a popular entry level digital SLR with HD movie recording. The major upgrades of Canon Rebel T2i to Rebel T1i are the sensor, movie mode, metering system, and LCD display.
Sensor:
Canon Rebel T2i / EOS 550D uses a 18.0 Megapixel CMOS APS-C sensor, which is similar to Canon 7D. But the channel reader is lower (4 channels vs 8 channels for 7D).
Canon Rebel T1i uses a 15.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor.
Movie mode:
The movie mode is one of the major improvements of Rebel T2i to T1i. Rebel T2i has almost identical movie mode with the semi-pro Canon EOS 7D. While Canon T1i can only record 1080p video at 20fps and 720p at 30 fps, Canon T2i can record 1080p video at 24, 25, 30 fps and 720p at 50, 60 fps. Canon T2i added a 3.5 mm external microphone input that can be used to record videos in stereo sound. Canon T2i also has manual exposure control in movie mode and new Movie Crop recording in 640 x 480.
Metering system:
Rebel T2i features Canon’s newest Dual-layer sensor, with 63 zone Focus Color Luminance metering system (iCFL in short). The new system measures not only the amount of light, but also the color and luminosity to deliver a very high level of accuracy for better results.
LCD display
Canon Rebel T2i use 3:2 aspect ratio instead of 4:3 in Rebel T1i. The 3:2 aspect ratio is the same with the camera’s sensor which makes it easier and more clear for live view and playback. The screen resolution of T2i is slightly better with 1.04 million dots vs 920,000 dots in Rebel T1i.
Additional features in T2i include a slightly higher shooting speed of 3.7 fps vs 3.5 fps , HDMI control, SDXC compatibility, customizable ISO range and higher sensitivity 100-6400 ( 12800 expandable vs 100-3200 6400 expandable in Canon Rebel T1i).
Should you upgrade Canon T1i to T2i?
Unless you absolutely need the upgraded movie mode and metering system, it is not necessary to upgrade T1i to T2i considering the short life cycle of Rebel cameras. Canon T1i is still a great camera.
How long can you record on movie mode? Does it depend on the memmory card? I’m new to this and slowly teaching myself.
Thanks Evie, Canon T2i can record HD video clip up to 4G. The recording time depends on the format: ca 12 min. (1920 x 1080), 18 min. (1280 x 720), 24 min. (640 x 480)
Based on Canon’s testing standards using a 4GB card.
My principal purpose for the camera with a 250mm telephoto lens, is to take long range pictures for a line of sight to determination of a viable path for a Free Space Optical telecommunications link path. Part of this determination is to see if I am close to any obstructions, to include leaves, branches and heat rising from an air conditioner cooling tower, that could have the potential to block a path. At one kilometer the width of a beam can be 12 inches.
My previous camera was an Olympus SP570 zoom with a 20 times optical multiplication and 10 Megapixels. The camera was stolen.
From the pure telephoto aspect I believe the 20 x multiplication will give me more detail than a 250mm lens. Secondly I am assuming that I should be able to better see details with a 15 o 18 megaqpixel camera than a 10 megapixel camea.
The two questions I have are:
1. Will the higher 18 megapixel resolution give me superior details to a 15 or 10 megapixel camera a kilometer (1/2 miles) away?
2. Is the optical magnification much more important than 10, 15, or 18 Megapixels? I can buy the latest Olympus SP800UZ – 14 Megapixels – for a lot less money and get a 30 times zoom equal to 840mm equivalent in 35mm ?
Can you ofer me any advice?
It is clear to me that either the T1 or T2 are superior cameras to the Olympus, however what is best for my specific need?
The second question is should I ignor the pixels and just consider the optical magnification capability? is will the 20 times multiplication will give me a resolution equal to around 400 mm whichis much greater thatn 250 mm for the Canon Lens.
Olympus also makes a 30 times multiplication / 12 megapixel camera.
I realize that the camera’s ability to hold a steady image is also a contributiong factor
Normally optical magnification is much more important than mp.
um, quick question. i know this is a dumb question but is there a canon rebel xti? and how does it compare to the t1i or is it the same thing???
XTi is an older model which does not have video recording
ok thanks, im gonna go for the t1i!
Looking to buy a new camera. Want a decent camera with professional quality. Was looking at the eos t1 an t2, but discouraged with this review when under the Should I upgrade mentioned short life of Rebel Cameras. Can anyone clarify this because I am pricing them at $700-$800 and if they don’t last that is a waste of money.
Life cycle is approx. 100,000 shutter actions.