We should all be pretty familiar with
the specs of
Canon's latest mainstream DSLR, so let's skip past the new 18 megapixel CMOS sensor,
SDXC memory card compatibility and high-res 3-inch LCD screen, and just focus on the one area where the Rebel T2i has a shot at matching the
EOS 7D:
1080p video. Ron Risman of
Cameratown has perched the two black-clad champs atop a tripod, installed identical (for the purposes of the test) lenses on them, and gone to town with testing the ISO performance of the two bodies. As he sees it, there's no perceptible difference between the two up to ISO 1600, though looking at his video test we're also hard pressed to distinguish any notable discrepancies at the maximum 6400 setting. Needless to say, the conclusion is that if you're just after the 7D's video performance with a smaller price tag, the Rebel T2i / 550D is the shooter for you. To make that decision as informed as possible, there's also a feature comparison list, so skip along to the source link to get informed.
posted March 2nd 2010 2:44PM
the rebel T2i is getting sexier by the minute. Can't wait to get a deal on it.
@xzor agreed
@xzor
I wish he had slapped an f/1.8 lens on there. Now that would be sexy...
@xzor no kidding, I think I'm getting closer to upgrade my XS to the T2i, good thing I got to sell the XS body and reuse most of the lenses and other accessories.
@xzor As a current T1i owner, I still have a hard time thinking the T2i is such a good deal for the new video features. Sure it has custom video controls over the T1i, but I eyeing the 7D over the T2i. After playing around with the 7D, I realize that greater features it has in other areas is well worth the higher cost. I am pretty much working on selling my T1i ASAP so I can purchase a new 7D with some lenses. For starting out, the T1i taught me a lot, but now I see where it has its downsides when working with quality photos. I am even considering the 5D, but I have a feeling there will be a new one out soon that will match or suprass the 7D's features (focus, etc). $$$$$$
I wish they would update the firmware on my Rebel XSi to shoot video.
@Tweak589
I'd like to hear more specifically about what features the 7d had that make it worth the price over the T2i, in your opinion. I'm trying to make the same decision myself.
Thx!
@Lord Vader
WOW i cannot UNSEE that now!
Video is one thing. When it comes to still photography I decided to spend the extra money on the 7D for the 8FPS shutter speed and larger, brighter, and more accurate viewfinder. Don't underestimate the importance of a nice optical viewfinder.
@photoguy622 You're spot on there. The 7D's viewfinder makes the Rebel T1i and Nikon D5000 look cramped by comparison. And those hvve perfectly serviceable viewfinders, the 7D is just on a higher plane.
Video about the same, but image is still night and day different, you get 8fps in 7d while t2i only 3.7fps, and 7d has top lcd screen. and very important 100% optical view finder.
@techlord -- "Video about the same, but image is still night and day different..."
Image what?
FPS and top LCDs have nothing to do with image quality.
100% viewfinder makes a difference in framing... but still has nothing to do with image quality.
Care to clarify your comment?
@Michael Scrip
He's referring to it's capabilities for taking photos, not video.
@rmora -- "He's referring to it's capabilities for taking photos, not video."
Right... but we're also talking about a camera that is $900 cheaper than the 7D. Of course the 7D has better capabilities.
In hindsight... it was a silly comment to start with.
they're using a different lens
@ahchar
Same lens... just different versions. The one on the T2i is newer and has image stabilization... but he turned if off for the test.
They are both the "kit" lenses that come with the Rebel series. Not great, but adequate.
@Michael Scrip but done in many tests and reviews on the net, 18-55IS is has a arguably better image quality. 18-55non is is a crappier lens. regardless IS or not
Yeah, optics are definitely better on the 18-55 IS.
WOW
@shoxite
WOW is right, see how sexy iso 800 looks on both? It's like looking though a plate steel window...
Useless review, how the hell did the editors even bother posting it here?
Someone called it the no excuses camera. I had my finger hovered over the buy button for a 7D for a month, just wishing it were a few hundred cheaper and then they come out with a near-identical (especially for video) camera for 900 less? No more excuses.
I have to blast my music so I'll stop listening for the UPS truck; I'm that excited about it.
@kindablue: I have the 7D and have no regrets spending the extra since I really do value the magnesium body, weather sealing, and especially the huge viewfinder. However, had this been out at the time (and if I hadn't gotten a crazy good deal), I'd have had trouble deciding to spend the extra. No doubt this is the best sub-$1000 camera going right now. Enjoy!
I don't get it why this great camera doesn't have an articulating/flip display??? I have my powershot 5s and cannot imagine using my camera without it. Been looking and waiting for couple of years now to buy an affordable, better camera that could shoot 1080p on at least 24fps... finally it is here and they frecked up with fixed display :'( :'(
@DamirSecki because articulating or not. still , millions of people are gonna buy it~
@ahchar sure, but with it, millions more would buy!
@DamirSecki that i doubt
@ahchar for one, I would! now I'll wait!
@DamirSecki just go to sony then
@ahchar lol, I would rather die :) Is just I don;t get why they don't install one
@DamirSecki why take the chance.
it'll probably make the camera bigger and probably give u a crappier LCD
but i agree it comes in handy for movie. but for taking pictures.. no need for me
why doesn't this guy do a outdoor test................................whats the point of looking at a black screen...just stupid
@ahchar
I can tell you how it would look outdoors.... bright. There wouldn't be much of a comparison.
I agree though... more testing is needed. Especially against the 7D.
@ahchar: Yeah, I hate to complain about nice, free reviews like this, but it is, in fact, pretty worthless. I saw pretty significant differences at 6400, a little at 3200, and none from 1600 on down. Not seeing them from 1600 on down had nothing to do with the quality of either camera, but instead because they were both too frakkin' dark. :p
Still, I expect the T2i to be a pretty darned good video camera. But I'm not upset that I didn't wait. I've had my 7D since exactly three days after it first became available via Best Buy and still have severe gadget-love.
@PaulY Your 7D is still a more professional tool for videography, as far as i can tell the T2i lacks the option to manual dial in color temperature where the 7D can. i shoot on the 7D and i use that feature all the time.
Looks good, but I would like USB 3.0. Has anyone seen any announcements of high-end DSLRs with USB 3.0?
@jwilliams
Just buy a USB 3.0 card reader when they become available. They are often times faster than the camera anyway.
@jwilliams: There's really little need. USB 2.0 has a max transfer speed of 60 MB/s. The fastest UDMA CF cards today have read speeds of 45 MB/s. The fastest SD cards I believe are only 30 MB/s. It's pretty hard to saturate a USB 2.0 connection without trying to transfer from multiple cards on the same USB bus.
I love my T2i just got it a few days ago its bad ass
Sorry, but those lenses are not the same. Yes, they are both 18-55mm kit lenses that at one point or another came with the Rebel line of cameras. However, it is known that the one on the Rebel T2i has much better picture quality than its predecessors have. Check some reputable photo testing sites such as photozone to look at the resolution charts.
@Mark Erickson
So... in this example... how much of a disadvantage did the 7D have with the old, crappier lens?
@Michael Scrip not much... but worthy enough for us to nag about. hahaha
@Michael Scrip: I was going to make the same comment about the lenses not being in the same class. The original EF-S 18-55 was a total piece of crap. However, we don't know what real difference would be made here. The older lens is consistently slightly darker at the same aperture setting. It is also consistently less accurate with colors and less sharp. But I think we're unlikely to see a huge difference in this limited, low-light scenario.
Tested the 550 this morning. Few observations:
When shooting video and using the contrast auto focus, the lens makes a distinctive noise which you can hear. It is very bothersome and unfortunately makes the whole experience less than attractive.
Canon needs to come up with noise free lenses like the Panny GH1 14-240.
Still imaging quality is excellent for its price class
Auto focus when shooting still is very fast and even the 3.7 fps is not bad for its class
Camera is well built, weight and size feels "right".
@jackleboul
Canon does make close-to-silent lenses. In fact, they are famous for pioneering ring-based autofocus and dominated the sports photography scene for years because no one else could keep up. Check out the 15-85mm for versatility, or the 17-55mm for fast aperture. You can also look at the EF 24-105mm or the EF 24-70mm if "L" quality appeals to you, but be mindful that 24mm is not wide at all on an APS-C SLR like the Rebel.
Yes, the kit lens has good picture quality, but the cheap plastic build and micro-motor AF might not suffice in some situations.
@Mark Erickson
The Canon 24-70 suffers the same noise problem he's referring to with other lenses. The 24-70 is only silent during still shooting, not while shooting video. When you're in video mode, it makes a sound that goes "ER ER ERRRRRR ERRR". It's quite loud and pronounces itself over your audio track during shooting. I believe this is because it's not utilizing the AF system, because the AF system is not available while the mirror is flipped up for video.
@xenigo
Yes, thanks for clarifying my post.
Again, the noise is only when shooting video.
Come on Nikon, where's my D90x?
judging just by the picture i thought maybe someone had hacked two Canons together to shoot 3D video.
guess not.
This is the only reason why I love my 7D and don't regret buying it: SIZE.
I don't see the point of holding a P&S with a grip VS a true CAMERA in my hands.
I would of gone for the 50D, but I love shooting video so the 7D was an obvious choice.
@Philip Han
if P&S can shoot that kind of quality and let me use ef and efs lens... im the first one to buy it... haha