Canon Rebel T2i (550D)
Canon EOS Rebel Reviews
The Canon EOS Rebel Range is one of the most successful Digital DSLR Cameras on the market. The range is the ‘entry range’ into the Canon DSLR lineup, but the word ‘entry’ is truly an understatement at every level.
DSLR Cameras can be classified as:
- Entry level DSLR Cameras – Typically light weight, hard plastic, user friendly automatic functions, limited frames per second (FPS) in rapid fire mode, limited ISO range and APS-C sensor sizes. An example would be the Canon EOS Rebel T2i
- Mid-range or Prosumer DSLR Cameras – Still fairly light-weight, slightly larger, more rugged construction, more manual settings, higher ISO and mediumFPS (3-6) and still APS-C Sensors.
- Professional or Pro model DSLR Cameras – Very rugged, fast FPS (up to 20+), large and heavy, extensive manual settings, large number of controls with extensive manual settings. Full Frame Sensor Sizes.
Key Canon DSLR Features
To See a comparison of features from lower end entry level Canon Rebel models thru the Prosumer Canon models open the Key Canon DSLR Features chart in a second tab as a quick reference. Click here for a Full Canon DSLR Feature list.
The Canon Rebel is a designation used in North America. In Japan it is named the Kiss range and in Europe and elsewhere the model numbers are different yet again. Model for model the cameras are exactly the same except for the names.
The range numbers are a bit confusing, but here is a list of recent and current Canon EOS Rebels in order of features and price, with the European equivalent names in Brackets:
The Canon Rebel Range:
- Canon EOS Rebel XS (Canon 1000d) No longer current.
- Canon EOS Rebel XSi (Canon 450D) No longer current.
- Canon EOS Rebel T3 (Canon 1100D) Current.
- Canon EOS Rebel T1i (Canon 500D) Current.
- Canon EOS Rebel T2i (Canon 550D) Current.
- Canon Rebel T3i (Canon 600D) Current.
Click on the links above for individual reviews and comparisons of each Canon EOS rebel model vs the nearest rivals in the Canon and Nikon ranges.
Summary of Common Canon EOS Rebel Features:
The Rebels are all very advanced DSLR Cameras capable of high quality photography. The main features that set them apart from compact cameras are:
- The larger APS-C sensor sizes giving much higher definition and less noise when images are enlarged.
- Fast DIGIC IV Cmos processor giving split second response… ie. no shutter lag and capable of storing images fast to be ready for the next shot.
- The ability to fit all of the sophisticated Canon EF and EF-S lenses as well as the Professional L-series lenses… Typically the large white lenses so visible in the hands of professional photographers at sports events. Look out for them on TV.
- 1/4000 shutter speeds across the range.
- Medium sized and light compared to the higher end Canons.
- These days they all have a level of HD movie features getting more sophisticated with new announcements and higher up in the range.
- LCD viewing panels are all VGA but getting an even higher resolution at the T2i level.
Canon Rebel Picture Quality
A lot of Canon Rebel reviews and other DSLR Camera Reviews make a big thing about Picture Quality and comparing one DSLR vs another. Most of it is nonsense. Picture quality is a function of a huge number of factors, camera Sensor size and quality, lighting conditions, camera settings, lenses, subject distance, lens zoom and the photographer skills.
Comparing one Canon Rebel’s picture against another says nothing about the camera itself. All the Rebels use exactly the same APS-C sensor, has the same shutter speed capability and very similar ISO capability (suitable for all normal photography and a wide range of different lighting conditions)
The picture quality of the rebel range is therefore the same as that of the Prosumer models that use the same APS-C sensor.
Canon Rebel Picture quality is vastly superior to that of compact cameras of any kind with smaller sensors.
Picture quality against the Professional models with Full Frame sensors will show a difference only in photographs requiring exceptional detail and enlarged greatly.
Once you own any of the Rebel cameras the two elements that will most affect your picture quality is the lens that you attach to the camera and what you choose to do with the camera settings, lens use and lighting, in other words your own photography skills and creativity.
From Canon and Nikon Direct
For more detailed information from Nikon and Canon on their current ranges of DSLR Cameras click on Nikon Digital Lineup or on Canon EOS Digital
{ 0 comments… add one }