- 18 MP APS-C CMOS sensor
- DIGIC 4
- ISO 100-6400, H:12800
- 3.7fps shooting
- Full HD movies
- 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 Clear View LCD with 1,040k dots
- iFCL metering
- Quick Control screen
- Ext. Mic socket
- Movie crop
Stills or movies, capture your story 18 MP CMOS sensor
Ideal for those who want to create large, poster-size prints – or crop images without losing any of the detail necessary for printing – EOS 550D’s 18MP CMOS sensor is outstanding in low light, and produces images with incredibly low noise. DIGIC 4
Canon’s DIGIC 4 processor works with the CMOS sensor to deliver 14-bit image processing, for smooth gradations and natural looking colours. DIGIC 4 also powers advanced Noise Reduction when shooting at higher ISO speeds, plus split-second start-up times and near-instant image review after shooting. High ISO for low light
When light levels fall, the EOS 550D offers an ISO range of up to 6400 – expandable to 12800 for those environments where using flash is undesirable. Full HD movie recording
The EOS 550D combines exceptional still shooting with the ability to shoot Full HD (1080p) video. To satisfy your creativity the EOS 550D features full manual control and selectable frame rates. You can also shoot high speed 50/60fps movies at 720P for when the action is really fast. An HDMI connection allows High Definition playback of footage and images on any HDTV. Also with compatible TVs playback can be controlled using the TV’s remote control. 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 Clear View LCD
Detailed checks on images and video are possible with a 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 Clear View LCD screen, which features an ultra-high 1,040,000 dots for increased clarity. Switch to Live View mode and use the real-time visual feed to shoot from awkward angles. iFCL metering system
A new 63-zone dual layer metering sensor analyses Focus, Colour and Luminance information, providing accurate and consistent metering. Quick Control screen
Accessible using a dedicated button it provides easy access to commonly used functions, ensuring that you are ready to take the shot as it happens. External Microphone Socket
Add an additional microphone for better quality sound using the 3.5mm stereo jack socket. Movie Crop
Shoot VGA movies with an effective zoom of 7x. Movie crop uses only the centre part of the sensor and allows long distance shooting without having to change lenses. Create a shooting system as unique as you are
The EOS 550D is compatible with Canon’s full range of EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series Speedlites Product Specification Type
| Digital, single-lens reflex, AF/AE camera
| Recording Media
| SD memory card, SDHC memory card, SDXC Memory Card
| Image Sensor Size
| 22.3mm x 14.9mm (APS-C size)
| Compatible Lenses
| Canon EF lenses including EF-S lenses (35mm-equivalent focal length is approx. 1.6x the lens focal length)
| Lens Mount
| Canon EF mount
| Type
| High-sensitivity, high-resolution, large single-plate CMOS sensor
| Pixels
| Effective pixels: Approx. 18.00 Megapixels
| Aspect Ratio
| 3:2 (Horizontal: Vertical)
| Color Filter System
| RGB primary color filters
| Low-pass Filter
| Fixed position in front of the CMOS sensor
| Dust Deletion feature
| (1) Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit
(2) Dust Delete Data appended to the captured image
(3) Manual cleaning of sensor
|  | Recording Format
| Design rule for Camera File System 2.0 and Exif 2.21
| Image Type
| Still: JPEG, RAW (14-bit, Canon original), RAW+JPEG
Video: MOV (Image data: H.264, Audio: Linear PCM)
| File Size
| (1) Large/Fine: Approx. 6.4MB (5184 x 3456 pixels)
(2) Large/Normal: Approx. 3.2MB (5184 x 3456 pixels)
(3) Medium/Fine: Approx. 3.4MB (3456 x 2304 pixels)
(4) Medium/Normal: Approx. 1.7MB (3456 x 2304 pixels)
(5) Small/Fine: Approx. 2.2MB (2592 x 1728 pixels)
(6) Small/Normal: Approx. 1.1MB (2592 x 1728 pixels)
(7) RAW: Approx. 24.5MB (5184 x 3456 pixels)
Exact file sizes depend on the subject, ISO speed, Picture Style, etc.
| File Numbering
| Continuous numbering, auto reset, manual reset
| Color Space
| sRGB, Adobe RGB selectable
| Picture Style
| Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, User Defined 1-3
| | | Type
| Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten Light, White Fluorescent Light, Flash, Custom
| Color Temperature Compensation
| White balance correction: ±9 stops in full-stop increments
White balance bracketing: ±3 stops in full-stop increments
Blue/amber direction or magenta/green direction possible
| Color Temperature Information Transmission
| Provided
| | | Type
| Eye-level SLR (with pentamirror)
| Coverage
| Vertical/Horizontal approx. 95%
| Magnification
| Approx. 0.87x (with 50mm lens at infinity, -1 m-1 (dpt))
| Eyepoint
| Approx. 19mm (from eyepiece lens center)
| Built-in Dioptric Adjustment
| -3.0 to +1.0m-1 (diopter)
| Focusing Screen
| Fixed, Precision Matte
| Mirror
| Quick-return half mirror (transmission: reflection ratio of 40:60, no mirror cut-off with EF600mm f/4L IS USM or shorter lenses)
| Viewfinder Information
| AF information
AF points and focus confirmation light
Exposure information
Shutter speed, aperture, ISO speed (always displayed), AE lock, exposure level, spot metering circle, exposure warning
Flash information
Flash ready, flash exposure compensation, high-speed sync, FE lock, red-eye reduction light
Image information
Highlight tone priority (D+), monochrome shooting, maximum burst (1-digit display), white balance correction, SD card information
| Depth-of-Field Preview
| Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
| | | Type
| TTL-CT-SIR AF-dedicated CMOS sensor
| AF Points
| 9 AF points (center AF point is cross-type)
| Focusing Modes
| Auto, One-Shot AF, Predictive AI Servo AF, AI Focus AF, Manual Focusing (MF)
| AF Point Selection
| Automatic selection, manual selection
| Selected AF Point Display
| Superimposed in viewfinder and indicated on LCD monitor
| AF-assist Beam
| Intermittent firing of built-in flash
Effective range: Approx. 4.0m/13.1 ft. at center, approx. 3.5m/11.5 ft. at periphery. When EOS-dedicated Speedlite attached, the Speedlite's AF-assist beam is emitted instead.
| | | Metering Modes
| 63-zone TTL full-aperture metering - Evaluative metering (linkable to any AF point)
- Partial metering (approx. 9% of viewfinder at center)
- Spot metering (approx. 4% of viewfinder at center)
- Center-weighted average metering
| Metering Range
| EV 1-20 (at 73°F/23°C with EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens, ISO 100)
| Exposure Control
| (1) Program AE (shiftable)
(2) Shutter-priority AE
(3) Aperture-priority AE
(4) Depth-of-field AE (A-DEP, non-shiftable)
(5) Full Auto (Program AE, non-shiftable)
(6) Programmed Image Control modes (6 modes)
* Flash OFF, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait
(7) Manual exposure (including bulb)
(8) E-TTL II autoflash program AE * Evaluative metering, Averaged metering
| ISO Speed (Recommended Exposure Index)
| ISO 100~6400 (in 1-stop increments), H: 12800
Basic Zone modes: ISO 100~3200 set automatically
| Exposure Compensation
| Manual: ±5 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments (can be combined with AEB)
| AE Lock
| (1) Auto AE lock
* In the One-Shot AF mode with evaluative metering, AE lock takes effect when focus is achieved.
(2) Manual AE lock
* With AE lock button. (AE lock is updated each time you press the button.)
Enabled in all metering modes.
| | | Type
| Vertical-travel, mechanical, focal-plane shutter with all speeds electronically controlled
| Shutter Speeds
| 1/4000 sec. to 1/60 sec., X-sync at 1/200 sec.
1/4000 sec. to 30 sec., bulb (Total shutter speed range. Available range varies by shooting mode)
| Shutter Release
| Soft-touch electromagnetic release
| Self-timer
| 10-sec. or 2-sec. delay or 10-sec. delay plus continuous shooting
| Remote Control
| Remote Switch RS-60E3
Remote Controller RC-1/RC-5/RC-6
| Type
| Retractable, auto pop-up flash
| Flash Metering
| E-TTL II autoflash
| Guide Number
| 13/43 (ISO 100, in meters/feet)
| Recycling Time
| Approx. 3 sec.
| Flash-ready Indicator
| Flash-ready icon lights in viewfinder
| Flash Coverage
| Up to 17mm lens focal length (equivalent to 27mm in 135 format)
| FE Lock
| Provided
| Flash Exposure Compensation
| ±2 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments
Flash exposure compensation for built-in flash and Speedlite can be set with the camera.
| Drive Modes
| Single, continuous, self-timer (10 sec. or 2 sec. delay)/remote control
| Continuous Shooting Speed
| Max. 3.7 shots/sec. (with One-Shot AF or AI Servo AF)
| Maximum Burst
| JPEG (Large/Fine): Approx. 34, RAW: Approx. 6
Based on Canon's testing standards with a 2GB SD memory card, ISO 100 and Standard Picture Style
Varies depending on the subject, SD memory card brand, image-recording quality, etc.
| Shooting Modes
| Still photo shooting and video shooting
| Focusing
| Autofocus (One-Shot AF): Live mode, Face Detection Live mode, Quick mode; Manual focus (5x or 10x manually)
| Metering Modes
| Real-time evaluative metering with image sensor
| Metering Range
| EV 0-20 (at 73°F/23°C with EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens, ISO 100)
| Grid Display
| Provided (Two grid displays)
| Exposure Simulation
| Provided
| Silent Shooting
| Not provided
| | | File Format
| MOV (image data: H.264; audio: Linear PCM (with internal mic: monaural, with external mic: stereo))
| File Size
| Recording Size: 1920 x 1080 (Full HD): 30p (29.97) / 24p (23.976) / 25p, 1280 x 720: 60p (59.94) / 50p, 640 x 480 (SD): 60p (59.94) / 50p), Movie Crop recording in 640 x 480
| Continuous Shooting Time
| Approx. 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
| Focusing
| Autofocus: Quick mode, Live mode, Face Detection Live mode; manual
| Exposure Control
| (1) Program AE for movie shooting
* For shooting modes other than manual exposure.
* Shutter speed (1/30 - 1/4000 sec., signal accumulation time), aperture, and ISO speed automatically set.
(2) Manual exposure
* For manual exposure.
* Shutter speed (signal accumulation time), aperture, and ISO speed (auto/ manual) manually set. The shutter speed (signal accumulation time) is limited to 1/4000 sec. at the maximum and to 1/30 sec. at the minimum for 24/25/30 fps or 1/60 sec. or higher for 50/60 fps.
| Exposure Compensation
| Up to ±3 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments
* Possible only with autoexposure.
| Audio recording method
| Linear PCM
(1) Internal monaural microphone
(2) External stereo microphone jack
* Recording level automatically adjusted. * Sampling frequency: 48 KHz, Bits: 16 bit x 2 ch * Compatible with a commercially-available external microphone with 3.5mm dia. stereo mini-jack.
| Video Playback
| Playback, slow motion (variable speed possible), jump to first frame, previous frame, next frame, jump to last frame, cut out first or last, frame, and audio volume (6 levels, including mute).
* The audio level when the camera is connected to a TV set is adjusted with the TV set.
| | | Type
| TFT color, liquid-crystal monitor
| Monitor Size
| 3.0 in.
| Dots
| Approx. 1,040,000 dots (VGA)
| Coverage
| Approx. 100%
Viewing angle: 160°
| Brightness Adjustment
| 7 levels provided
| Interface Languages
| English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Portuguese, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Greek, Russian, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Romanian, Ukraine, Turkish, Arabic, Thai, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Japanese
| Display Format
| (1) Single image display
- Two types of single-image full display and two types of shooting information display.
(2) Index display
- 4-image index and 9-index image.
(3) Jump display
- 10/100 images, shooting date, movies, stills
| Highlight Warning
| Provided (Overexposed highlights blink)
| Protect
| Erase protect (or cancel) each image individually
| Erase
| Single image, selected images or all images in the SD card can be erased (except protected images)
| Compatible Printers
| PictBridge-compatible printers
| Printable Images
| JPEG images compliant to Design rule for Camera File System (DPOF printing possible) and RAW images captured with the EOS Rebel T2i
| Easy Print feature
| Provided
| DPOF
| Version 1.1 compatible
| Compatible Images
| JPEG and RAW images
Only JPEG images can be transferred as wallpaper on the personal computer screen
| Custom Functions
| Total 12
| My Menu Registration
| Up to 6 menus, Custom functions and other top-tier options can be registered
| USB Terminal
| For personal computer communication and direct printing (USB 2.0 Hi-Speed)
| Video Out Terminal
| (1) Video OUT terminal: NTSC/PAL selectable
(2) mini-HDMI OUT terminal
| Battery
| One Battery Pack LP-E8
AC power can be supplied via AC Adapter Kit ACK-E8
With Battery Grip BG-E8, AA-size batteries can be used
| Number of Shots
| Number of shots (approx.) | Temperature | Shooting Conditions | | AE 100% | AE 50%, FA 50% | | At 73°F/23°C | 550 | 470 | | At 32°F/0°C | 440 | 400 | | Live View shooting at 73°F/23°C | 200 | 170 | | Live View shooting at 32°F/0°C | 180 | 150 | | Movie Shooting Time | 1 hr. 40 min. | 1 hr. 20 min. |
The above figures apply with a fully-charged Battery Pack LP-E8.
The figures above are based on CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) testing standards.
| Battery Check
| Auto
| Power Saving
| Provided. Power turns off after 30 sec., 1, 2, 4, 8, 15 min.
| Date/Time Battery
| Built-in secondary battery
| Start-up Time
| Approx. 0.1 sec.
| Dimensions (WxHxD)
| Approx. 5.1 x 3.8 x 3.0 in./128.8 x 97.5 x 75.3mm
| Weight
| Approx. 18.7 oz./530g (CIPA standard, includes battery and memory card.)
| Working Temperature Range
| 32-104°F/0-40°C
| Working Humidity Range
| 85% or less
|
| Note: All data are based on Canon's Standard Test Method. Subject to change without notic | | | | | | |
