How good is focus on Canon 550d?

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

12/02/2010 07:46:25 PM · #1

After many months of considering the Canon 7d, our local expo has finally come around and I had a look at cameras today. After handling the 7d, I can't help feeling it is too big and heavy for my tiny hands, and it was suggested that I might be better off with a 550d.

The benefits (aside from size and weight) are that I would carry the new camera around and keep 400d as backup body, rather than carrying 400d and keeping 7d for special use; also that money saved could be used on future lens purchases or other accessories.

My only concern is how happy I would be with the focusing ability of the 550d, especially for moving subjects like birds (and maybe sport one day). I've certainly seen a couple of bird photos here with the 550d that look pretty good. I'm just worried about getting another Rebel, because I've always found the images from the 400d rather softer than they should be which is a real issue for stock photography.

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

12/03/2010 04:25:13 AM · #2

Has nobody any opinion to offer? I need to make a decision while the specials are available and I'm really torn. I don't want to buy another camera I'll be unhappy with, but I just can't see myself coping with the size of the 7d.

12/03/2010 04:40:03 AM · #3

Have you considered taking a compromise between the two with a 60D? Or perhaps a 50D, though the sensor wouldn't be as new/cutting edge, if that's important to you.

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

12/03/2010 04:42:50 AM · #4

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

Have you considered taking a compromise between the two with a 60D? Or perhaps a 50D, though the sensor wouldn't be as new/cutting edge, if that's important to you.

Someone did suggest the 60D, but it feels just as big as the 7D. If I were buying a big camera, I would have to go with the better one. The 550D just feels so much better in my hand.

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

12/03/2010 05:19:36 AM · #5

Gotcha. I had the opposite problem myself, so I feel for your position. The 550D will have better focus performance than your 400D, but it will still hit a bit of a wall with tracking moving objects because it functions with a contrast detection method instead of phase detection, which is what it really takes for moving objects and faster/greater accuracy. Basically I'm saying that the 550D will probably make you plenty happy, but if you're really interested in a big AF improvement, you have to take the next step to the bigger "professional" styled cameras like the 7D/50D.

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

12/03/2010 06:13:43 AM · #6

have you thought about trying to upgrade your lenses over your body first?

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

12/03/2010 06:24:43 AM · #7

Originally posted by mike_311:

have you thought about trying to upgrade your lenses over your body first?

I don't think that's the solution. Even the sample photos I've seen for 400D on the internet look soft. The 400D is over 3 years old and I definitely get the impression that the newer models are better. Other things I want which the 400D hasn't got:
- ISO higher than 1600
- Liveview would be useful when shooting on a tripod. I often get a sore back from bending over the tripod for long periods.
- Video could come in handy

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

12/03/2010 06:57:25 AM · #8

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

I just noticed the mention of phase and contrast detection autofocus on dpreview but it's a bit confusing.

12/03/2010 07:24:39 AM · #9

Originally posted by GinaRothfels:

I just noticed the mention of phase and contrast detection autofocus on dpreview but it's a bit confusing.

Good AF rundown
Phase vs Contrast
The second one details Fuji's Phase AF in addition to explaining the concepts.

ETA: I had recalled reading that same review of the 550D, and the existence of contrast AF didn't cause me to pause at the time, but it doesn't really make sense. Normally all DSLR's use phase detection...but use contrast for LiveView. But that review makes it sound like it always uses it...curious. I think it's just shoddy writing.

Message edited by author 2010-12-03 07:47:44.

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

12/03/2010 07:34:08 AM · #10

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

Originally posted by GinaRothfels:

I just noticed the mention of phase and contrast detection autofocus on dpreview but it's a bit confusing.

Good AF rundown
Phase vs Contrast
The second one details Fuji's Phase AF in addition to explaining the concepts.

Thanks. I'll have to read those later as I'm already running late for an appointment. The trouble is I really need to get the camera today as I have a busy weekend. I think I'll have to take a chance on 550D.

12/03/2010 07:45:28 AM · #11

Originally posted by GinaRothfels:

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

Originally posted by GinaRothfels:

I just noticed the mention of phase and contrast detection autofocus on dpreview but it's a bit confusing.

Good AF rundown
Phase vs Contrast
The second one details Fuji's Phase AF in addition to explaining the concepts.

Thanks. I'll have to read those later as I'm already running late for an appointment. The trouble is I really need to get the camera today as I have a busy weekend. I think I'll have to take a chance on 550D.

The 60D and 550D both have the same amount of cross sensors (9) so I would assume AF would be similar as far as detection goes. Speed may vary based on the camera's AF motor if the lens is not USM.
In any case, I would presume both would be an improvement upon the 400D you currently use because it's got an improved newer processor which should improve things at least somewhat.

Message edited by author 2010-12-03 07:47:18.

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

12/03/2010 02:00:44 PM · #12

In the end I just couldn't compromise. I tried the autofocus on both cameras in mediocre light, and when I worked out that the 7D could take a whole burst of photos in the time it took the 550D to focus, I had to have the better camera. I'm so tired of missing shots on the 400D because the camera takes too long to focus that I didn't want to spend the money on another camera that was going to do the same thing.