News: Canon Unveils 550D

There’s a new entry-level dSLR on the block, with Canon recently unveiling the EOS 550D.

While it’s designed with first-time SLR users in mind, the new camera offers some pretty advanced features, some of them nicked from the recent sports model, the 7D.

Featuring an enormous 18 megapixel sensor and ISO sensitivity up to 12,800, the 550D also delivers full 1080p HD movie recording at 30, 25 and 24fps. Additionally, 720p video can be shot at 60 and 50fps. The ability to edit video via ‘Movie Crop’ in camera is a new addition to the 550D, a first in a Canon camera, allowing videographers to crop a scene up to 7x in magnification.

The 63-point iFCL metering system from the 7D has been used in this new model, along with a nine-point AF system. Using the DiG!C 4 image processor at its core, the 550D also manages 3.7fps continuous shooting.

While there’s plenty of high-end functionality, the 550D still caters for the beginner, integrating a range of features found on compact cameras, including face detection, Live View, intuitive metering and image correction tools.

The camera’s layout has also been overhauled, with slight design modifications intended to aid ease of use.

While no local pricing has been announced as yet, the 550D will be made available either as a body only or with a range of lenses from March 2010.