Canon EOS Rebel T2i (550D) In Depth Review

Design

When it comes to overall camera design, the Canon EOS Rebel T2i is distinctly entry level. It features a largely plastic shell and compact size that though well built, doesn’t rise to the level of a prosumer DSLR when it comes to overall camera feel. For the most part, the T2i will feel largely familiar to anyone who’s handled the T1i, but there have been a number of small adjustments made to improve both the look and feel of the T2i:

• Buttons have a matte finish to the T1i’s glossy finish.
• Grip Texture has been altered.
• Thumb groove on camera’s rear re-sculpted for improved comfort.
• From the camera’s front, the T2i’s right shoulder and bottom corner have been reworked for improved live view/video shooting.
• Shooting mode dial now black on top.
• Rear control buttons larger and no longer round.
• Live view button moves to a new position.

The changes are pretty negligible from a shooting perspective, but the rear thumb groove does feel a bit better (more EOS 7D like) and the camera is subtly more comfortable when held at arms length. The new rear controls button are something of a miss for us, though larger, their flushness to the camera’s surface doesn’t make them any easier to press. In the end the new Rebel design is just barely better than the T1i, it’s certainly a good looking camera, but we still don’t find the narrow grip borrowed from the T1i to be as satisfactory as some of the other entry level offerings (Nikon D5000, Pentax K-x).

Canon EOS Rebel T2i (body only) at B&H Photo Canon EOS Rebel T2i with 18-55m lens at B&H Photo Get the new Canon EOS Rebel T2i and support this site at the same time, by making your purchase through the links above at B&H Photo Video. Your purchases there made this and hopefully future articles possible .

Continue Reading This Review:

1. Introduction
2. Specifications
3. Camera Design
4. Interface and Live View
5. Performance
6. Image Quality
7. Video
8. Verdict
9. Image Samples

Continue the Discussion

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1. 

   Fils-de-Daguerre says:

   March 11, 2010 at 7:56 pm

   What I want to know is the meaning behind “1,040,000 dots”, “920,000 dots”, or “320,000 dots”. 720x480 is 345,600 pixels, 640x480 is 307,200 pixels, and 320x240 is 76,800 pixels. So where are the designations of “1040k”, “920k”, and “230k” from?

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   • 

     Patrick says:

     March 11, 2010 at 10:08 pm

     The “dots” thing is sort of a new term that I think Nikon started with the D300/D3, but essentially it’s breaking down a 640×480 (VGA) display down to the R,G,B components of each pixel, so that you’re essentially multiplying 640×480x3 which is approx 920k. The dots and pixels are sometimes used interchangeably, but they aren’t really the same thing.

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     • 

       Fils-de-Daguerre says:

       March 12, 2010 at 10:08 am

       I really wish they could’ve stuck with WVGA, VGA, and QVGA…

       reply
2. 

   Funkmon says:

   March 15, 2010 at 4:57 am

   *late*

   Excellent review. If I had talent or skills, I’d do it exactly the same way you did. . Thanks!

   reply
   • 

     Patrick says:

     March 15, 2010 at 10:10 pm

     Thanks!

     reply
3. 

   Christy Joseph says:

   May 3, 2010 at 1:22 pm

   Thanks for the excellent indepth review of CANON EOS 550(Rebel T2i) which I read and re-read. The review has hastened my resolve to purchase one this month. Thank you once again for helping me decide.

   reply
   • 

     Patrick says:

     May 3, 2010 at 9:01 pm

     Christy,
     You’re welcome, and good luck with the T2i, you’ll be getting yourself a mighty fine (and fun) camera.

     reply
4. 

   Navs says:

   June 14, 2010 at 8:17 am

   Hi and thanks for the wonderful review! I was just wondering will it be okay if i use an unreal battery? Like, i can get a fake battery for 700 bucks but the actual eos 550d battery costs 1600 bucks. The seller said there wont be a problem if i dont leave the battery inside the canera for a long time. Any sugeestions?

   reply
5. 

   zal says:

   September 3, 2010 at 10:51 am

   Hi! I would like to know your opinion about a comparison between Canon T2i and Pentax K-x as I cannot decide! Thanks.

   reply