Canon redefines the boundaries of the consumer DSLR with the EOS 550D

Happy days for the HDSLR Filmmaker:

EOS Movies: Full HD video with creative control

"As the ability to record Full HD video becomes increasingly important, Canon continues to deliver DSLR technology that sets the industry benchmark for multimedia functionality. The EOS 550D records video in full 1920x1080p HD resolution, allowing photographers to select the frame rate preferred from 30, 25 and 24fps, as well as offering 720p video at 60 and 50fps. The EOS 550D also includes a 3.5mm stereo microphone socket, enabling the use of an external microphone when capturing video.



Photographers can also take manual control over exposure settings, changing the depth of field and degree of motion blur to shoot more creatively. To provide the best possible video quality, highlight tone priority (HTP) can be set independently for movie capture, without changing any still image capture settings."

Official Canon Press Release


So what does this mean for us?

In a nutshell, it means the world of low budget digital filmmaking will again be turned on its head as the sub £1000 Canon EOS 550d with an image quality to rival many £10k+ units hits the shelves on Feb 24th.

Its sensor is comparable in size to the EOS 7d and its video compression and bitrate are the same h.264 codec dumping 330MB/min at 1920 × 1080 making this a formidable new member to the Canon HDSLR range. Nikon have a lot to learn from this model.

Much of the price reduction comes from a lack of stills photography features found on the 7d such as its twin processors and 100% viewfinder (the 550d boasts 95% viewfinder coverage). That said, many of the 7d’s video features have cascaded down to this model.

Most noteworthy are its:

1. Revised 3” lcd which now has a widescreen format, 1.04 million dots 100% sensor coverage
   
2. Dedicated start/stop video button.
   
3. Recording speeds of 24, 25 and 30 frames per second at 1080p (30,60 fps at 720p)

With a feature-set this strong, and a price point this low, there really is no excuse to not grab the bargain of the year and dig out that screenplay you’ve been dying to make a reality.
Film schools across the country should be filled with these great new cameras!