Canon Rebel T2i/EOS 550D

Reviews

Review Index – (updated 23 August’10)

AmateurPhotographer has posted their review of the Canon Rebel T2i/EOS 550D where they write – ‘Those who are concerned that the EOS 550D only has nine AF points rather than the 19 of the EOS 7D should remind themselves that a nine-point AF system has served enthusiast photographers very well in cameras such as the EOS 40D and EOS 50D, so there is no reason why it shouldn’t continue to do so.’

Digitalcamera-hq has posted their review of the Canon Rebel T2i/EOS 550D where they write – ‘Enthusiasts who make photography their main hobby will find plenty to love in the T2i; the images are fantastically detailed, especially when paired with a better lens than the kit.’

StevesDigicams has posted their review of the Canon Rebel T2i/EOS 550D where they write – ‘The T2i is a very capable dSLR that offers features and performance in both still and video modes that are unmatched at this price. Therefore, we give the Canon EOS Digital Rebel T2i our highest recommendation for those seeking a powerful dSLR system for less than $900.’

DigitalRev has posted their video review of the Canon Rebel T2i/EOS 550D Vs the Canon 50D where they write – ‘We took both cameras out to highlight what the best bits of each camera are. Check out the video and find out how they compare and which one comes out top in an ISO test. ‘

MacWorld has posted their review of the Canon Rebel T2i/EOS 550D where they write – ‘The Canon T2i is highly recommended for serious photo enthusiasts and will serve nicely as a backup camera for professionals. Current owners of Canon’s T1i might be tempted to upgrade thanks to improvements in video recording, resolution, image quality, and the new 3:2 LCD.’

PCAuthority has posted their review of the Canon Rebel T2i/EOS 550D where they write – ‘You could argue the Canon EOS 550D’s picture-taking capabilities haven’t significantly advanced over past incarnations, despite technical advances in the spec. But credit-crunch economics have now receded and this model is being launched at a more reasonable price than its forebears.’

Video Review @ WDC

DPS has posted their review of the Canon Rebel T2i/EOS 550D where they write – ‘Quality: I could not fault the camera. If you are a newcomer to DSLRs, this is where you can start! Why you would buy the EOS 550D: attractive entry model at a reasonable price. Why you wouldn’t: you’re not ready for a DSLR!’

MacWorld.co.uk has posted their review of the Canon Rebel T2i/EOS 550D where they write – ‘For those aspiring pros who want a capable multimedia tool that still resembles a conventional DSLR, the Canon EOS 550D should come near the top of your list as a safe option.’

ImagingResource has posted their review of the Canon Rebel T2i/EOS 550D where they write – ‘Resolution was incredible, and detail is clean. Even as ISO goes up, more detail is retained than we’re used to seeing. Indeed, the Canon T2i’s entire ISO range produced a usable image size, with ISO 100 shots easily making sharp 20×30-inch prints, ISO 3,200 shots making sharp 11×14-inch prints, and even ISO 12,800 shots producing a good quality 5×7-inch print. That’s impressive.’

BobAtkins has posted their review of the Canon Rebel T2i/EOS 550D where they write – ‘The bottom line is that the Digital Rebel T2i displays a remarkable level of performance and a comprehensive set of features. It’s quite clearly the best Digital Rebel yet. In fact it’s the first Digital Rebel I’ve tested that I’d seriously think about buying for myself.’

DPMag has posted their review of the Canon Rebel T2i/EOS 550D where they write – ‘The T2i video capabilities really shine, with 1080p full HD video at 30 fps and 24 fps (an improvement on the T1i’s 20 fps), along with 720p HD and standard-definition video at 60 fps for smoother action. The Rebel T2i is the best entry-level EOS ever and a terrific value for the price.’

DPS has posted their review of the Canon Rebel T2i/EOS 550D where they write – ‘Does Canon have a winner? Yes. The market Canon is targeting with the Rebel T2i / EOS 550D is the buyer who wants quality equipment but doesn’t get carried away with the finer points and the creative possibilities they offer.’

Video Review @ USAToday

DigitalCameraInfo has posted their review of the Canon Rebel T2i/EOS 550D where they write – ‘First-time SLR buyers considering the T2i might be better off saving a couple hundred dollars and purchasing last year’s model. You’ll have to forgo the fancy new sensor and microphone input, but you’ll get the same phenomenal color performance, sleek menu design, manual controls, and access to the wealth of Canon lenses and accessories.’

Gizmodo has posted their review of the Canon Rebel T2i/EOS 550D where they write – ‘The T2i is the ideal first DSLR. The simple controls shouldn’t intimidate you for long, plus it can hold your hand a decent bit of the way, thanks to clever innovations like the Creative Auto Mode.’

Wired has posted their review of the Canon Rebel T2i/EOS 550D where they write – ‘What they did not like – Lack of quick control wheel (you have to get Canon’s 7D or a higher model to have one). Bothersome autofocus assist flash. Build quality not as robust as feature set. ‘

CrunchGear has posted their review of the Canon Rebel T2i/EOS 550D where they write – ‘The T2i is a great success and a great value. I know I’m biased as a Canon shooter, but I think it really is the best value on the market right now for an all-purpose imaging device. Stills are excellent, video is fun. As long as you are aware of the shortcomings of digital video in general and DSLR video specifically, this is a great buy for a home video connoisseur.’

T3 has posted their review of the Canon Rebel T2i/EOS 550D where they write – ‘There’s also a wider degree of exposure and bracketing options accessible than Canon has provided before in this camera’s class. Pictures are composed via the traditional optical viewfinder or large fixed 3-inch, high 1030k-dot resolution LCD screen below, and quality is as consistently excellent as we’d expect from its maker, colours erring on the warm side.’

The Phoblographer
“Users of the T2i will be very, very pleased with the High ISO abilities in this camera. Able to shoot up to ISO 6400, the files are still very usable and post-processing will take care of most of the image noise problems. If not, editors can always get creative in their editing to use the image noise to their advantage as the files still do retain a lot of detail.”

PhotoRadar
“At high ISOs the quality is exceptional. Whatever Canon’s done with the sensor, it’s paid dividends. While the quality at ISO 6400 deteriorates, you could use it at 1600 and 3200 without hesitation. The movie quality is excellent, too. The 550D needs to be used with a bit more care than the typical point-and-shoot camcorder, but it repays this effort with super-sharp footage that makes you realise the step up to full HD really is worth it.”
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Buy-n-Shoot
“Canon has ticked off, pretty much, every must-have specification for an entry-level DSLR with the EOS 550D. Pushing megapixel detail to a new high while maintaining an ISO performance close to the best in its class.”
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DCResource
“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a fan of the EOS Rebel T2i. I brought it with me on vacation and it produced some fantastic photos that will soon be hanging on my wall. Sure, there’s some room for improvement, but the Rebel T2i does what it does very well. I can highly recommend the Rebel T2i to just about everyone, though you may want to save that tax refund for some nice lenses, as they’ll allow you to get the most out of the camera!”

Pocket-lint
“Impressive image performance is paired with hardware specs that will widely appeal. You don’t get all the bells and whistles, but those elements that are missing really are high-end features. If anything, its the fast action stuff where the EOS 550D isn’t so capable.”
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Video Tour @ CameraLabs

WDC
“The EOS 550D is an excellent camera, offering a beginner similar specs to an EOS 7D semi-pro model at a fraction of the price. The low-light and video perfromance are a superb bonus to the excellent overall image quality.”
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CNET
“Though it isn’t perfect–and they never seem to be–I think the Canon EOS Rebel T2i is a crowd-pleasing inexpensive dSLR. I could list individual aspects where competitors surpass it, including burst performance, high ISO sensitivity numbers, control layout, and viewfinder. But overall the camera is fast, with great photo quality and relatively standout video that help put it over the top.”
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DigitalCameraReview
“Both ISO sensitivity and HD video quality are good. There are more than enough available settings to satisfy manual shooters, and a basic serving of auto and scene modes to help folks either transition into a DSLR or just go about their photo adventures with the camera handling the lion’s share of the duties.”
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DigitalTrends
“Reflecting on the Canon EOS Rebel T2i we feel a bit like Randy Jackson, a judge on American Idol: “Dog, we’re not digging it.” Yes, the DSLR delivers very accurate colors and noise remains under control up to ISO 1600. As a camera—with a caveat of using good glass—you’ll be satisfied with this new DSLR, especially if you keep the flash open. Yet the issue of video quality is hard to overcome. If it were our money—and movies were a non-issue—the Nikon D5000 is the pick.”
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USA Today

PhotographyBay
“The flexibility in shooting both still images and video with the Rebel T2i is as good as it gets in the entry-level market. Pixel peepers may find marginally better noise control in much lower resolution cameras; however, the robust RAW files from the Rebel T2i allow you to take it up to high ISO settings for remarkable low light shooting.”

PCMag
“For the price, the Canon EOS Rebel T2i is an extraordinary value. It offers excellent image quality and all of the mainstream HD video recording resolutions. Overall, the majority of the T2i’s improvements over its predecessor are video-related, though.”
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DPReview
“With all this taken into account, it is hard not to recommend the EOS 550D. Quite simply, taken as a whole, it is the best camera of its class that we’ve ever seen, and one of those rare cameras that won’t look out of date in a couple of years’ time.”
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PhotographyBlog
“As far as we are concerned, we have found the Canon EOS 550D / Rebel T2i to be a convincing, well-put-together product that easily earns a Highly Recommended rating.”
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Stuff.tv
“Even when you push ISO speed towards its 6400 maximum, the noise-reduction tech on the 550D does a bang up job of cleaning up JPEGs. There’s RAW too, but with just 25 RAW snaps snaffling a full GB of space, you’ll need a big SD card.”
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TrustedReviews
“The Canon EOS 550D is a very good camera by any standard. Build quality is excellent, the control layout and handling are near perfect, high ISO noise control is superb and the new monitor is the best on the market. However it idoesn’t offer many more features or significantly better image quality than the EOS 500D, and is beaten in some crucial areas by cheaper rival cameras.”
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GearGearGuide
“Even though it’s an entry-level digital SLR camera, the Canon EOS 550D with the 18-135mm kit lens is perfect for all occasions. You can use it at functions, sporting events and parties, and you can even shoot high quality video when the situation calls for it. We’re impressed with its speed and high ISO performance and once you get used to its controls and menu system, it’s a very easy camera to use. The only issue we had with the kit was the at times very slow and inaccurate focus.”
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TechRadar
“The EOS 550D is something of a triumph. Shoot in RAW, invest in some decent back-up lenses and spend time studying the various exposure modes and options, and the EOS 550D will reward you with pro-quality images at a mass-market price.”
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CNET
“The Canon EOS 550D is a great little camera to use and, on paper at least, it blows the competition away. Its HD movie mode and high-ISO performance are especially impressive. It’s not cheap, though, and that 18-megapixel sensor might not give you the boost in definition you’re hoping for.”
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DigitalReview (As compared to the Nikon D90)
“While the Canon Rebel T2i / 550D does feature some welcome additions compared to the Canon Rebel T1i / EOS 500D, like the impressive 1.04 million dot anti-reflective 3:2 LCD monitor, 1080P HD movie recording with manual control + selectable frame rates and the updated 63-zone iFCL metering system, the Canon Rebel T2i / 550D does not offer enough improvements in our opinion to outclass the Nikon D90.”

NeutralDay
“It sort of goes without saying that this is certainly the best Rebel yet, but as of right now, it’s the best camera an entry level photographer can buy, as such, it isn’t just highly recommended, it’s “Essential”.”
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OutBackPhoto
“The Canon Rebel T2i/550D (named Rebel T2i in the US and 550D in the rest of the world) seems to inherit the imaging quality of the 7D at a much lower price point.”

CameraLabs
“Ultimately much of the EOS 550D / T2i’s appeal lies in its flexible movie capabilities, and it’s great to have not only the 7D’s choice of frame rates, but also manual control over exposures and an external microphone input. If these features are important to you, then the 550D / T2i lets you enjoy them at a lower price than ever before.”
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ePhotozine
“From a still photographer’s perspective, there are still a few additional features that may make day-to-day shooting that bit more pleasurable, such as the improved Auto ISO function, higher resolution screen and improved control layout. Overall the performance of this camera is excellent, and will find many fans whether they be interested in still, or video, or both.”
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CNET.au
“While there are arguably too many megapixels for a consumer-level camera, the video capabilities of the Rebel T2i/550D make it an ideal tool for those wanting to dabble in videography without too much of an investment in a more professional digital SLR. The camera’s still image quality is fortunately up to scratch too, making it an excellent camera for the price.”
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DPExpert
“The EOS 550D is an excellent way into the Canon system. It doesn’t have the luxurious feel of the 7D, but then it costs $1300 less for the body. Our test unit came with the Canon 18–135mm lens which is not good enough for the camera. We would recommend buying the body with a better – and, sadly, more expensive – lens.”

CameraTown (Video ISO Comparison – As compared to the Canon EOS 7D)
“At this point it would seem that Canon has a real winner on their hands. High resolution stills combined with high-definition video with full manual control, the ability to connect external microphones, and good high-ISO capability means that the Canon Rebel T2i is sure to be a BIG seller this spring.”

Video Review @ DigitalRev

PhotoReview
“Not surprisingly, the performance of the review camera was similar to that of the EOS 7D we reviewed last November (which came with the same kit lens). Still pictures were sharp and colourful, although saturation was slightly higher with the 550D (Rebel T2i), particularly for reds. HD video quality was outstanding, particularly at 1080p resolution with the 24 fps frame rate.”
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