Cannon 550D vs 600D

[wardy]

I've now realised that spending a few extra quid will get me a lot more in regards to features so now I'm stuck between the 550D and 600D. I know the main difference is the vari-angle screen and I'm not sure whether this is enough to tempt me. I'll give you the kit and price on offer.

The 550D with 18-55mm DC Lens and Canon 75-300mm DC Lens at £599.95 or the 600D with 18-55m IS Lens at £559.95.

Would be good to hear your opinions and recommendations.

[SIMON40]

I personally love vari' angle screens- they're extremely useful.
I'd probably go with the 600D and the IS version of the 18-55 lens- which I actually think is optically pretty decent...!
The 600D is also slightly heavier and larger- with a better handgrip- all subjective of course... you may prefer lighter/smaller...
Check out this page for some 550D-600D differences...
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos600d

[pcake]

i prefer the articulated screen myself, but my son - who owns a 550D - doesn't care for an articulated screen and loves his camera. that being said, i'd prefer a longer zoom than just the 18-55mm lens alone. just yesterday i was shooting some stuff in a local park with a long zoom i wouldn't have been able to get with a shorter zoom, or i would have had to crop it a lot. your shooting style may not require a longer zoom, but imo it never hurts to have one just in case.

[wardy]

Thanks and could I ask if I were to get the 600D would you recommend getting a zoom lens like a 70-300mm straight away (as might be able to get a deal) or wait. If so what would you recommend under £200.

[pcake]

depends on what you want to shoot - the 18-55mm should do fine for people in a room with you or anything fairly close, on the same patio or in the same normal sized backyard, sitting at a table with you, if you shoot concerts or sports from the front row it might be okay- also for things like landscapes, the 18mm focal length will be quite useful. if you want to shoot a bird up in a tree while you're on the ground, the bird is going to be pretty small in the photo if you're using 55mm. same is true if you want to take pics of someone at the top of a ferris wheel, across a park from you or at the top of a hill if you're at the bottom. my son got a kit with the 18-55mm lens and the 55-250, but the 70-300 should do a good job, also, and at least here costs a little less.

[SIMON40]

An inexpensive telephoto to consider may be Canon's 55-250 IS f/4-5.6 lens.

[wardy]

Thanks again for the responses. I am assuming that image stabilisation is important at these magnifications. Is that right ???

[wave01]

theres are differences between the two 600d has a swivel screen and wireless flash control, but they both share the same sensor. IMHO the choice is down to you but dont let the price fool you the 75-300 is not a goos lens. you would be far better off with the 55-250is so that what i would base my purchase on

[Koolpc]

55-250 is the better lens. Has a proven track record.