Stills or movies, capture your story.

you can

Wherever you go, youll find stories. The EOS 550D gives you the power and versatility to capture them your way through a combination of stunning still images and HD movies.

Brochure photography taken with EOS 550D: David Newton

Tv (Shutter Speed): 1/20 Av (Aperture Value): 9.0 ISO Speed: 400 Lens: EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM

Extraordinary detail
You never know when youll capture it: the image that shows the definitive moment of a holiday, a football match, or a gathering. The image that deserves a place on your wall. With the detail provided by an 18 Megapixel Canon CMOS sensor, every shot you take is a potential poster-size print. Seen a detail you love in a shot? The exceptional resolution of the EOS 550D also lets you make extreme creative crops, while keeping the detail you need for printing.

Low light, high quality

The best stories dont always happen in perfectly-lit situations. With the EOS 550D, you can carry on shooting in low light without compromising on quality. Crank the ISO speed up to 6400, or expand to an incredible 12800 for those moments when flash is not suitable. Whichever ISO speed you use, DIGIC 4 applies advanced Noise Reduction for detailed, smooth-looking images with low levels of graininess.

Tv( Shutter Speed ): 1/100 Av( Aperture Value ): 8.0 ISO Speed: 200 Lens: EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x

The visible difference

Study any image shot with an EOS 550D and youll soon notice a few things like incredibly smooth gradations from one tone to the next, and vivid, true-to-life colours. Canon achieves this by designing and manufacturing the cameras key imaging components in-house. Capturing the image data is an APS-C size CMOS sensor. Its large pixels ensure excellent, low-noise performance, even in lower light. And racing to optimize each image is Canons DIGIC 4 image processor. Capable of recreating the subtlest tonal gradations and an incredibly wide colour range, it also drives Noise Reduction, as well as rapid start-up and image processing times. The result? Images and movies that show your story at its most compelling.
Tv (Shutter Speed): 1/30 Av (Aperture Value): 1.4 ISO Speed: 1600 Lens: EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

Stunning HD movies
Some things cant be communicated in still images alone. Whether youre witnessing a childs first steps, a winning goal or the movement of sunlight on water, the EOS 550D gives you the power to capture the story as you remember it: with pin-sharp, Full High Definition movies at 1080p. For top-quality stereo sound, attach a microphone to the 3.5mm external microphone socket.

Ready to play Become the director

You shoot your still images with a DSLR because you love having creative control. Why should movies be different? With the EOS 550D, you can fine-tune footage to perfection using full manual control over all key settings. If the action speeds up, you wont get left behind; simply switch to 720p and you can capture high-speed 50/60fps movies, ideal for sports or filming from a moving vehicle. And for long-range action, a new Movie Crop function uses the centre of the sensor to let you shoot VGA movies at an effective 7x zoom. Its ideal for moments when you havent got time to change to a longer lens.

Cant wait to re-live your story on a larger screen? The EOS 550D includes an HDMI connection. Simply connect to any HDTV* and see your footage immediately, in beautiful High Definition. With compatible HDTVs you can even control playback using your TVs remote control.
* Requires additional HDMI cable (not included)

Tv (Shutter Speed): 15 Av (Aperture Value): 13.0 ISO Speed: 200 Lens: EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

Built for intuition

Pick up the EOS 550D and youll be struck by how natural it feels in your hands. Every detail of this camera has been designed to make shooting stills and movies an effortless process. An ergonomic button layout includes dedicated access to the Quick Control Screen, for instant changes to commonly used modes and functions including drive mode, recording quality and exposure compensation. Its ideal for those shots that wont wait around while you change settings. And with a lightweight build, the EOS 550D is pleasingly easy to handle. Take a one-handed shot from the hip. Thrust it above a crowd. Wherever your story takes you, the EOS 550D is built to follow.

Tv( Shutter Speed ): 2.5 Av( Aperture Value ): 11 ISO Speed: 100 Lens: EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

Creative control
A few minutes is all you need to familiarise yourself with the fast, intuitive menu system on the EOS 550D. Inherited from Canons leading professional models, it means you spend less time navigating, and more time shooting and is your gateway to a host of creative controls. Bring out skin tones in portraits or the blue tones of the sky by switching between six Picture Style Presets, or create and save three custom styles. Use Highlight Tone Priority to maximise detail in bright areas, or Canons Auto Lighting Optimizer to automatically adjust the overall image brightness in difficult lighting situations.

See more
Want to review your story in brilliant, pin-sharp detail? Thats just one of the advantages you get with a 7.7cm (3.0) 3:2 Clear View LCD with over 1 million dots. Switch to Live View mode, and a real-time 30fps feed lets you frame without using the viewfinder; ideal for shooting at ground level or arms length. A wide viewing angle makes it easy to share your shots with friends. And to guide you towards the perfect shot, an optional grid line and histogram display can be selected.
Tv (Shutter Speed): 1/200 Av (Aperture Value): 5.0 ISO Speed: 400 Lens: EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM

Some of the most exciting stories unfold in an instant. Hold down the shutter of the EOS 550D and you can shoot dramatic action sequences in rapid bursts of up to 3.7fps ensuring that you catch the decisive moment, every time. For consistently sharp focus in every frame, the EOS 550D features Canons sophisticated multi-point AF and AI Servo subject tracking systems.

EF-S lens mount

The EOS 550D features Canons unique EF-S lens mount, giving you access to all Canon EF and compact EF-S model lenses. With EF-S focal lengths all the way down to 10mm, you can capture entire landscapes in a single frame, or the full atmosphere of an interior scene. Alternatively, attach an EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS and fill your frame with distant subjects in crystal-clear, image-stabilized detail. All EF-S lenses offer compact, lightweight designs and performance to meet the demands of the EOS 550Ds high-resolution sensor from special coatings which avoid ghosting and lens flare, to special materials which reduce chromatic aberration the colour distortion sometimes seen at the edges of shots.

EOS Integrated Cleaning System

Tv (Shutter Speed): 1/1600 Av (Aperture Value): 4.0 ISO Speed: 200 Lens: EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM

The EOS 550D guards images against the effects of dust on the sensor in three ways: reducing dust generated inside the camera, shaking dust from the sensor each time the camera is turned on or off, and mapping stubborn dust spots for removal with the provided Digital Photo Professional software.

Read your scene

In a scene with strongly contrasting tones, many metering systems cannot be trusted to deliver an accurate exposure. iFCL is a new metering system developed as part of Canons higher-end EOS models, that uses 63 separate zones to analyse focus, colour and luminance information ensuring that the camera understands the scene as well as you do.

Tv (Shutter Speed): 1/1250 Av (Aperture Value): 7.1 ISO Speed: 200 Lens: EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

Speedlite Flash Units

Much more than just a way of shooting in dark conditions, a Speedlite 270EX lets you expand the capabilities of the built-in flash from eliminating unwanted shadows in portraiture, to casting softer lighting on a subject by experimenting with bounce flash techniques. Step up to the Speedlite 580 EX II for even more power, or expand with a second flash unit and wirelessly trigger more sophisticated setups. The EOS 550D uses Canons E-TTL II flash metering, a distance-linked algorithm which intelligently calculates the correct flash output for your scene.

Power when you need it most

Dont risk losing power when a fantastic story is unfolding before you. Boost the EOS 550D with an optional battery grip, utilising six AA batteries or two rechargeable battery packs, and you can shoot with confidence for longer. The grip also adds extra size to the camera, for firm, reassuring handling, and features a shutter button, main dial and AV button, for complete control when holding the camera vertically.

Share your story

Carry on creating
The creative process doesnt have to stop after youve finished shooting. Shoot in RAW format with the EOS 550D, and your image files retain all the pixel data captured by the camera. The result? More image detail, and more possibilities for making your best images look even better. For an intuitive way into RAW editing, processing and converting, every EOS 550D is supplied with Canon Digital Photo Professional (DPP) software. This powerful program lets you adjust exposure, white balance, noise reduction, sharpening, Picture Style, contrast or lens correction its like being given the chance to take a shot all over again. You can also map and remove any residual dust on your cameras sensor.

A great story deserves a wider audience - so dont hide yours away on a computer. For quick, easy, lab-quality prints in a variety of sizes, try Canons range of SELPHY compact photo printers. Small enough to store on a bookshelf, theyre great for postcard-sized prints, stickers and collages. For single images at serious sizes, Canons PIXMA range delivers prints with outstanding quality and longevity all the way up to A3+*.
* Media size varies between models. See individual specifications for details.

Tv (Shutter Speed): 1/1600 Av (Aperture Value): 2.2 ISO Speed: 200 Lens: EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

Tv (Shutter Speed): 1/125 Av (Aperture Value): 22.0 ISO Speed: 200 Lens: EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM

SpecificationS + SyStem chart

eoS 550D
IMAGE SENSOR
type Effective Pixels Total Pixels aspect ratio Low-Pass Filter Sensor cleaning colour filter type 22.3 x 14.9mm CMOS Approx. 18.0 megapixels Approx. 18.7 megapixels 3:2 Built-in / Fixed with Self Cleaning Sensor Unit EOS integrated cleaning system Primary Colour DIGIC 4 EF/EF-S Equivalent to 1.6x the focal length of the lens TTL-CT-SIR AF-dedicated with a CMOS sensor 9 AF points (f/5.6 cross type at centre, extra sensitivity at f/2.8) EV -0.5 18 (at 23C & ISO100) AI Focus, One Shot, AI Servo Automatic selection, Manual selection Superimposed in viewfinder and indicated on LCD monitor Yes, up to 10m Locked when shutter button is pressed half way in One Shot AF mode. Intermittent firing of built-in flash or emitted by optional dedicated Speedlite Selected on lens TTL full aperture metering with 63-zone SPC. (1) Evaluative metering (linked to all AF points). (2) Partial metering at center (approx. 9% of viewfinder) (3) Spot metering (approx. 4% of viewfinder at center). (4) Center weighted average metering EV 1-20 (at 23C with 50mm f/1.4 lens ISO100) Auto: In 1-shot AF mode with evaluative metering exposure is locked when focus is achieved. Manual: By AE lock button in creative zone modes. +/-5 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 stop increments (can be combined with AEB). 3 shots +/- 2 EV, 1/2 or 1/3-stop increments AUTO (100-6400), 100 6400 Expandable to H (approx 12800) in 1-stop increments Electronically-controlled focal-plane shutter 30 1/4000 sec (1/2 or 1/3 stop increments), Bulb (Total shutter speed range. Available range varies by shooting mode) Auto white balance with the imaging sensor AWB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, White, Fluorescent light, Flash, Custom. White balance compensation: 1. Blue/Amber +/-9. 2. Magenta/ Green +/-9 Yes, 1 setting can be registered +/-3 levels in single level increments. 3 bracketed images per shutter release. Selectable Blue/Amber bias or Magenta/Green bias Pentamirror Approx. 95% Approx. 0.87x Approx. 19mm (from eyepiece lens centre) -3 to +1 m-1 (dioptre) Fixed Quick-return half mirror (Transmission: reflection ratio of 40:60, no mirror cut-off with EF600mm f/4 or shorter) AF information: AF points, focus confirmation light. Exposure information: Shutter speed, aperture value, ISO speed (always displayed), AE lock, exposure level/compensation, spot metering circle, exposure warning, AEB. Flash information: Flash ready, high-speed sync, FE lock, flash exposure compensation, red-eye reduction light. Image information: White balance correction, SD card information, monochrome shooting, maximum burst (1 digit display), Highlight tone priority (D+) Yes, with Depth of Field preview button On strap 7.7cm (3.0") 3:2 Clear View TFT, approx. 1040K dots Approx. 100% Approx. 160 Dual Anti-reflection, anti smudge Adjustable to one of seven levels (1) Quick Control Screen. (2) Camera settings 13 up to 17mm focal length (35mm equivalent: 27mm) Approx. 3 seconds Auto, Manual Flash On/off Yes with red eye reduction lamp 1/200sec +/- 2EV in 1/2 or 1/3 increments Yes, with compatible External Flash Yes Yes Yes / E-TTL II with EX series Speedlites, wireless multi-flash support via camera menu screen Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait, No Flash, Movie, Program AE , Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual, A-DEP Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, User Defined (x3) sRGB and Adobe RGB Highlight Tone Priority. Auto Lighting Optimizer (Basic and Creative modes). Long exposure noise reduction. High ISO speed noise reduction. Peripheral illumination correction Single, Continuous, Self timer (2s, 10s + remote, 10s + continuous shots 2-10) Max. Approx. 3.7fps. (speed maintained for minimum of approx 34 images (JPEG)3, 6 images (RAW)4) Electronic viewfinder with image sensor Approx. 100% (horizontally and vertically) 30fps Manual Focus (Magnify the image 5x or 10x at any point on screen). Autofocus: Quick mode, Live mode Real-time evaluative metering with image sensor. Active metering time can be changed Grid overlay, Histogram JPEG: Fine, Normal (Exif 2.21 [Exif Print] compliant) / Design rule for Camera File system (2.0), RAW: RAW (14bit, Canon original RAW 2nd edition), Digital Print Order Format [DPOF] Version 1.1 compliant Yes (RAW + Large JPEG only) JPEG: (L) 5184 x 3456 (M) 3456 x 2304, (S) 2592 x 1728. RAW: (RAW) 5184 x 3456 Movie Type Movie Size Movie Length Sound files MOV (Video: H.264, Sound: Linear PCM) 1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 fps). 1280 x 720 (59.94, 50fps). 640 x 480 (59.94, 50fps) Max duration 29m 59sec, Max file size 4GB (1) Consecutive numbering. (2) Auto reset. (3) Manual reset. 12 Custom Functions with 36 settings User copyright information (can be set in camera) Yes 1.5x 10x enabled in 15 steps (1) Single image with information (2 levels). (2) Single image. (3) 4 image index. (4) 9 image index. (5) Jump Display. Image selection: All images, by Date, by Folder, Movies, Stills. Playback time: 1/2/3/5 seconds. Repeat: On/Off Brightness: Yes. RGB: Yes Yes (Shooting information display only) Erase: Single image, Checkmarked images, Unprotected images. Protection: Erase protection of one image at a time Original image verification data can be appended to the image (OSK-E3 required for verification) (1) Shooting menu (x4). (2) Playback menu (x2). (3) Setup menu (x3). (4) My Menu 25 Languages: English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Portuguese, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Greek, Russian, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Romanian, Ukrainian, Turkish, Arabic, Thai, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Japanese Update possible by the user Hi-Speed USB Video output (PAL/ NTSC) (integrated with USB terminal), HDMI mini output (HDMI-CEC compatible), External microphone (3.5mm Stereo mini jack) Canon Compact Photo Printers and PIXMA Printers supporting PictBridge Yes SD card, SDHC card or SDXC card Windows XP (SP2/SP3) / Vista incl. SP1 (excl. Starter Edition) / 7 (excl. Starter Edition). OS X v10.4 10.6 ZoomBrowser EX / ImageBrowser Digital Photo Professional PhotoStitch, EOS Utility (inc. Remote Capture, Original Data Security Tools*), Picture Style Editor. * Requires optional accessory 1 x Rechargeable Li-ion Battery LP-E8 Approx. 440 (at 23C, AE 50%, FE 50%)5. Approx. 400 (at 0C, AE 50%, FE 50%) 4 levels Power turns off after 30sec or 1, 2, 4, 8 or 15mins AC Adapter Kit ACK-E8, Battery charger LC-E8, LC-E8E Stainless Steel and polycarbonate resin with glass fiber 0 40C, 85% or less humidity 128.8 x 97.3 x 62mm Approx. 530g (CIPA testing standard, including battery and memory card)

OTHER FEATURES
custom functions metadata tag LcD panel / illumination Playback zoom Display formats Slide Show histogram highlight alert image erase/protection Data Verification menu categories menu Languages

IMAGE PROCESSOR
type

LENS
Lens mount focal Length

FOCUSING
type af System/ points AF working range af modes af point Selection Selected af point display Predictive AF1 AF Lock af assist Beam manual focus

Firmware Update

INTERFACE
computer other

DIRECT PRINT
canon printers pictBridge

EXPOSURE CONTROL
metering modes metering range AE Lock Exposure Compensation aeB ISO Sensitivity2

STORAGE
type

SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEM

pc & macintosh

SOFTWARE
Browsing & Printing image processing other

SHUTTER
type Speed

POWER SOURCE
Batteries Battery life Battery indicator Power saving Power Supply & Battery Chargers

WHITE BALANCE
type Settings custom White Balance WB Bracketing

PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Body materials Operating Environment Dimensions (WxHxD) Weight (body only)

VIEWFINDER
type Coverage (Vertical/Horizontal) Magnification eyepoint Dioptre correction focusing Screen mirror Viewfinder Information

1 With EF300mm f/2.8L IS USM at 50kph. 2 Recommended Exposure Index. 3 Large/Fine (Quality 8) resolution. 4 Based on Canons testing conditions, JPEG, ISO 100, Standard Picture Style. Varies depending on the subject, memory card brand and capacity, image recording quality, ISO speed, drive mode, Picture Style, Custom functions etc. 5 Based on the CIPA Standard and using the batteries and memory card format supplied with the camera, except where indicated.

All data is based on Canons standard testing methods except where indicated. Specifications are subject to change without notice. TM and : All company and/or product names are trademarks and /or registered trademarks of their respective manufacturers in their markets and/or countries.

More detailed specifications are to be found on your local Canon website.

Depth of field preview eyepiece shutter

LCD MONITOR
type Coverage Viewing Angle (horizontally/vertically) coating Brightness adjustment Display options

ST-E2

270EX

430EX II

580EX II

FLASH
Built-in Flash GN (ISO 100, meters) Built-in Flash Coverage Built-in Flash recycle time modes Red-Eye Reduction X-sync Flash Exposure Compensation Flash Exposure Bracketing Flash Exposure Lock Second curtain Synchronisation hotShoe / pc terminal External Flash Compatibility External Flash Control

Macro Ring Lite MR-14 EX

Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX

Remote Controller RC-6

Remote Switch RS-60E3 EF lenses External microphone EF-S lenses

Eyepiece Extender EP-EX15II

Bundled accessories

Rubber Frame Ef HDMI Cable HTC-100 E-series Dioptric Adjustment Lenses Wide Strap EW-100DB lll Eyecup Ef EOS DIGITAL Software Instruction Manual Solution Disk Interface Cable Angle Finder C Stereo AV Cable AVC-DC400ST TV/Video

SHOOTING
modes picture Styles colour Space image processing Drive modes continuous Shooting

PictBridge-compatible printer

LIVE VIEW MODE

type Coverage frame rate focusing metering Display options

AC Adapter Kit ACK-E8

Semi Hard Case EH19-L Battery Pack LP-E8 Battery Charger LC-E8 or LC-E8E DC Coupler DR-E8 Compact Power Adapter CA-PS700

Interface Cable IFC-200U/500U Computer USB port Windows 7 Windows Vista Windows XP Mac OS X

FILE TYPE
Still image type RAW+JPEG simultaneous recording Image Size

Original Data Security Kit OSK-E3 SD memory card/ SDHC memory card/ SDXC memory card

Card reader

PC card slot

Battery Grip BG-E8

Battery Magazine BGM-E8L for two LP-E8 battery packs

Battery Magazine BGM-E8A for size-AA/LR6 batteries

PCMCIA adapter

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3 The Square Stockley Park Uxbridge Middlesex UB11 1ET United Kingdom

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