• 18 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• DIGIC 4 processor with ISO 100-6400 (Expansion to 12800)
• Continuous shooting at 3.7fps
• Full HD movie recording with manual control and selectable frame rates
• 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 Clear View LCD with 1,040k dots
• iFCL metering System with 63-zone Dual-layer Metering Sensor
• Quick Control screen to change shooting settings
• Exposure compensation +/-5 stops.
• Select maximum value for Auto ISO
• External Microphone socket
• Movie crop function
• Eye-Fi connected functions compatibility

IMAGE SENSOR
Type 22.3 x 14.9mm CMOS
Effective Pixels Approx. 18.0 megapixels
Total Pixels Approx. 18.7 megapixelsAspect
Ratio 3:2
Low-Pass Filter Built-in/Fixed with Self Cleaning Sensor Unit
Sensor Cleaning EOS integrated cleaning system
Colour Filter Type Primary Colour

IMAGE PROCESSOR
Type DIGIC 4LENS

LENS
Lens Mount EF/EF-S
Focal Length Equivalent to 1.6x the focal length of the lens

FOCUSING
Type TTL-CT-SIR AF-dedicated with a CMOS sensor
AF System/ Points 9 AF points (f/5.6 cross type at centre, extra sensitivity at f/2.8)
AF working range EV -0.5 -18 (at 23°C & ISO100)
AF Modes AI Focus One ShotAI Servo
AF Point Selection Automatic selection, Manual selection
Selected AF point display Superimposed in viewfinder and indicated on LCD monitor
Predictive AF1 Yes, up to 10mAF Lock Locked when shutter button is pressed half way in One Shot AF mode.
AF Assist Beam Intermittent firing of built-in flash or emitted by optional dedicated
Speedlite Manual FocusSelected on lens

EXPOSURE CONTROL
Metering modes 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
Metering Range EV 1-20 (at 23°C with 50mm f/1.4 lens ISO100)
AE Lock 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.
Exposure Compensation+/-5 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 stop increments (can be combined with AEB).AEB3 shots +/- 2 EV, 1/2 or 1/3-stop incrementsISO Sensitivity2AUTO(100-6400), 100-6400 Expandable to H (approx 12800) in 1-stop increments

SHUTTER
Type Electronically-controlled focal-plane shutter
Speed 30-1/4000 sec (1/2 or 1/3 stop increments), Bulb (Total shutter speed range. Available range varies by shooting mode)

WHITE BALANCE
Type Auto white balance with the imaging sensor
Settings AWB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, WhiteFluorescent light, Flash, CustomWhite balance compensation: 1. Blue/Amber +/-92. Magenta/ Green +/-9
Custom White Balance Yes, 1 setting can be registered
WB Bracketing +/-3 levels in single level increments3 bracketed images per shutter releaseSelectable Blue/Amber bias or Magenta/ Green bias

VIEWFINDER
Type Pentamirror
Coverage (Vertical/Horizontal) Approx. 95%
Magnification Approx. 0.87x
Eyepoint Approx. 19mm (from eyepiece lens centre)
Dioptre Correction-3 to +1 m-1 (dioptre)
Focusing ScreenFixed
Mirror Quick-return half mirror (Transmission: reflection ratio of 40:60, no mirror cut-off with EF600mm f/4 or shorter)
Viewfinder Information AF information: AF points, focus confirmation lightExposure information: Shutter speed, aperture value, ISO speed (always displayed), AE lock, exposure level/compensation, spot metering circle, exposure warning, AEBFlash information: Flash ready, high-speed sync, FE lock, flash exposure compensation, red-eye reduction lightImage information: White balance correction, SD card information, monochrome shooting, maximum burst (1 digit display), Highlight tone priority (D+)
Depth of field preview Yes, with Depth of Field preview button
Eyepiece shutter On strap

LCD MONITOR
Type7.7cm (3.0") 3:2 Clear View TFT, approx. 1040K dots
Coverage Approx. 100%
Viewing Angle (horizontally/vertically)Approx 160°
Coating Dual Anti-reflection, anti smudge
Brightness AdjustmentAdjustable to one of seven levelsDisplay Options(1) Quick Control Screen(2) Camera settings

FLASH
Built-in Flash GN (ISO 100, meters)13
Built-in Flash Coverage up to 17mm focal length (35mm equivalent: 27mm)
Built-in Flash recycle time Approx. 3 seconds
Modes Auto, Manual Flash On/off
Red-Eye Reduction Yes - with red eye reduction lamp
X-sync1/200sec
Flash Exposure Compensation +/- 2EV in 1/2 or 1/3 increments
Flash Exposure Bracketing Yes, with compatible External Flash
Flash Exposure Lock Yes
Second Curtain SynchronisationYes
HotShoe/ PC terminalYes/ -
External Flash CompatibilityE-TTL II with EX series Speedlites, wireless multi-flash supportExternal Flash Controlvia camera menu screen

SHOOTING
Modes Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait, No Flash, Movie, Program AE , Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual, A-DEP
Picture Styles Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, User Defined (x3)
Colour Spaces RGB and Adobe RGB
Image Processing Highlight Tone Priority Auto Lighting Optimizer (Basic and Creative modes)Long exposure noise reductionHigh ISO speed noise reductionPeripheral illumination correction
Drive modes Single, Continuous, Self timer (2s, 10s+remote, 10s + continuous shots 2-10)
Continuous Shooting Max. Approx. 3.7fps. (speed maintained for minimum of approx 34 images (JPEG)3, 6 images (RAW)4)

LIVE VIEW MODE
TypeElectronic viewfinder with image sensor
Coverage Approx. 100% (horizontally and vertically)
Frame Rate30 fps
Focusing Manual Focus (Magnify the image 5x or 10x at any point on screen)Autofocus: Quick mode, Live mode
Metering Real-time evaluative metering with image sensorActive metering time can be changed
Display Options Grid overlay, Histogram

FILE TYPE
Still Image TypeJPEG: 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
RAW+JPEG simultaneous recordingYes (RAW + Large JPEG only)
Image Size JPEG: (L) 5184x3456 (M) 3456x2304, (S) 2592x1728RAW: (RAW) 5184x3456
Movie Type MOV (Video: H.264, Sound: Linear PCM)
Movie Size 1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 fps)1280 x 720 (59.94, 50 fps)640 x 480 (59.94, 50 fps)
Movie Length Max duration 29m 59sec, Max file size 4GB
Sound Files(1) Consecutive numbering(2) Auto reset(3) Manual reset

OTHER FEATURES
Custom Functions12 Custom Functions with 36 settings
Metadata TagUser copyright information (can be set in camera)
LCD Panel / IlluminationYesPlayback zoom1.5x - 10x enabled in 15steps
Display Formats
(1) Single image with information (2 levels)
(2) Single image
(3) 4 image index
(4) 9 image index
(5) Jump Display
Slide Show Image selection: All images, by Date, by Folder, Movies, StillsPlayback time: 1/2/3/5 secondsRepeat: On/Off
Histogram Brightness: Yes RGB: Yes
Highlight AlertYes (Shooting information display only)
Image Erase/ProtectionErase: Single image, Checkmarked images, Unprotected imagesProtection: Erase protection of one image at a time
Data VerificationOriginal image verification data can be appended to the image (OSK-E3 required for verification)
Menu Categories
(1) Shooting menu (x4)
(2) Playback menu (x2)
(3) Setup menu (x3)
(4) My MenuMenu Languages25 LanguagesEnglish, 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
Firmware UpdateUpdate possible by the user

INTERFACE
ComputerHi-Speed USB
OtherVideo output (PAL/ NTSC) (integrated with USB terminal), HDMI mini output (HDMI-CEC compatible), External microphone (3.5mm Stereo mini jack)

DIRECT PRINT
Canon Printers Canon Compact Photo Printers and PIXMA Printers supporting PictBridge
PictBridgeYesSTORAGETypeSD card, SDHC card or SDXC card

SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEM
PC & Macintosh Windows XP (SP2/SP3) / Vista inc SP1 (excl. Starter Edition) / 7 (excl. Starter Edition)OS X v10.4-10.6

SOFTWARE
Browsing & Printing ZoomBrowser EX / ImageBrowser
Image Processing Digital Photo Professional
Other PhotoStitch, EOS Utility (inc. Remote Capture, Original Data Security Tools*), Picture Style Editor* Requires optional accessory

POWER SOURCE
Batteries1 x Rechargeable Li-ion Battery LP-E8
Battery life Approx. 440 (at 23°C, AE 50%, FE 50%)5Approx. 400 (at 0°C, AE 50%, FE 50%)
Battery Indicator 4 levels
Power savingPower turns off after 30sec or 1, 2, 4, 8 or 15mins
Power Supply & Battery ChargersAC Adapter Kit ACK-E8, Battery charger LC-E8, LC-E8E

PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Body MaterialsStainless Steel and polycarbonate resin with glass fiber
Operating Environment0 – 40 °C, 85% or less humidity
Dimensions (WxHxD)128.8 x 97.3 x 62 mm
Weight (body only)Approx. 530g (CIPA testing standard, including battery and memory card)

ACCESSORIES
ViewfinderEyecup Ef, E-series Dioptric Adjustment Lens with Rubber Frame Ef, Eyepiece Extender EP-EX15II, Angle Finder C
CaseSemi-Hard Case EH19-L
Wireless File TransmitterAll EF and EF-S lensesFlashCanon
Speedlites (220EX, 270EX, 380EX, 420EX, 430EX, 430EX II, 550EX, 580EX, 580EX II, Macro-Ring-Lite, MR-14EX, Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX, Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2)
Battery GripBG-E8
Remote Controller/ SwitchRemote Switch RS-60E3, Remote Controller RC-6
Other Original Data Security Kit OSK-E3

Canon CMOS sensor

Exclusively designed and manufactured by Canon to work in combination with its own DIGIC processors, Canon’s CMOS technology integrates advanced noise reduction circuitry at each pixel site delivering virtually noise-free images. In comparison with CCD technology, the lower power consumption characteristics of Canon’s CMOS sensors also contribute to longer battery life.

Signal conversion in Canon’s CMOS sensors is handled by individual amplifiers at each pixel site. Unnecessary charge transfer operations are avoided, vastly speeding up the process of getting the signal to the image processor. Noise is reduced, power consumption is limited and faster frame rate potential is increased.

DIGIC

Image data captured by the CMOS sensor is processed by Canon’s purpose-built DIGIC image processors before being written to the camera's memory card. DIGIC technology uses advanced image processing algorithms to ensure precise, natural colours, tonal graduation, accurate white balance, and advanced noise reduction. Ultra-fast processing speeds result in highly responsive camera operation and near-instant start-up times.

DIGIC chips work with a high speed image buffer – reading, processing, compressing and writing image data fast enough to keep the buffer clear during long continuous shooting bursts. And because DIGIC integrates all key processing functions, power consumption is kept to a minimum.

iFCL metering system with 63-zone Dual-layer Metering sensor

The iFCL system uses focus, colour and luminance information to determine consistently exposed shots. All focus points provide distance information to the metering system to determine proximity to the subject and allow the algorithm to weight the exposure accordingly.

The EOS 550D features a new metering sensor with 63 zones compatible with all nine AF points. Typically, metering sensors are more sensitive to red subjects which can lead to overexposure. The EOS 550D combats this with the dual layer sensor, which has one layer sensitive to red and green light and one that is sensitive to blue and green light.

The metering algorithm then compares the level of the two layers and adjusts the meter reading accordingly.

EOS Integrated Cleaning System The EOS Integrated Cleaning System combats sensor dust in three important ways: Reduce, Repel and Remove.

1. Reduce - Internal camera mechanisms are designed to minimise dust generation. The redesigned body cap prevents dust generation through wear on the cap itself

2. Repel - Anti-static technologies, including a special fluorine coating, are applied to the low-pass filter covering the front of the sensor so as not to attract dust

3. Remove - A Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit uses hi-frequency vibrations to shake dust from the infrared filter for a period of approximately one second after each start up. For instant shooting after power up, this feature is disabled immediately as the shutter release is depressed

Canon has also developed an internal Dust Delete Data system, which can map the position of visible dust on the sensor. This can then be deleted automatically after the shoot with the latest Digital Photo Professional software.

Clear View LCD

The EOS 550D features a 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 Clear View LCD screen offering approx 720x480 pixel resolution with 1040k dots. This allows high-quality viewing of images and ultra-accurate focus checks in playback. Thanks to a wide 160º angle of view, the Clear View LCD can be viewed in a wide range of environments with ghosting and reflections being eliminated thanks to Canon’s unique dual layer anti reflective coating. This combination of features enables photographers to shoot from awkward angles.

EOS Movie

The EOS Movie function allows the EOS 550D users to record 1080p HD movies with manual control and selectable frame rates.

Thanks to the large (22.3 x 14.9mm) integrated CMOS sensor, photographers have greater ability to control depth of field. The exposure of the movie can be controlled in Manual mode, allowing full control of shutter speeds and apertures. It is possible to select frame rates from: 30 (29.97), 25, and 24 (23.976), with 60 (59.94) and 50 available at resolutions of 720p. Program mode also allows photographers to easily

shoot HD video without worrying about exposure settings – ideal when needing to capture split-second action as it unfolds.

In situations where the subject is further away, the EOS 550D’s Movie Crop function records with the central 640x480 pixel area of the sensor, creating an effective magnification of up to seven times the focal length of the lens.

Picture Styles

Picture Style presets simplify in-camera control over image qualities. Picture Style presets can be likened to different film types – each one offering a different colour response. Within each selectable preset, photographers have control over sharpness, contrast, colour tone and saturation. The camera’s factory default configuration is set to deliver immediately-usable JPEG images without need for additional menu settings. Picture Style presets applied to a RAW image can be revised with Canon’s Digital Photo Professional software.

The six presets are:

1. Standard – for crisp, vivid images that don’t require post-processing

2. Portrait – optimises colour tone and saturation and weakens sharpening to achieve attractive skin tones

3. Landscape – for punchier greens and blues with stronger sharpening to give a crisp edge to mountain, tree and building outlines

4. Neutral – ideal for post-processing

5. Faithful – adjusts colour to match the subject colour when shot under a colour temperature of 5200K

6. Monochrome – for black and white shooting with a range of filter effects (yellow, orange, red and green) and toning effects (sepia, blue, purple and green)

The User Defined Picture Styles can be used to store up to three customised pre-sets, or any of the pre-sets available for download from Canon’s web site at

www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/picturestyle/file/index.htm.

Software

Digital Photo Professional Software Digital Photo Professional software provides high speed, high quality processing of lossless RAW images. Processing with Digital Photo Professional allows real-time display and immediate application of image adjustments, giving control over RAW image variables such as white balance, dynamic range, exposure compensation, noise reduction and colour tone – plus the ability to view Auto Focus points on an image. The Lens Aberration correction tool allows precise correction of different types of distortion caused by certain cameras. Images can be recorded in camera with sRGB or Adobe RGB colour space. Images can also be rotated and trimmed allowing users to correct framing and horizons as part of the RAW processing.

Digital Photo Professional supports sRGB, Adobe RGB, ColorMatch RGB, Apple RGB and Wide Gamut RGB colour spaces. ICC (International Colour Consortium) profiles can be attached to TIFF or JPEG images when converted from RAW. This allows faithful reproduction of colours in software applications that support ICC profiles, such as Adobe Photoshop. For improved efficiency, a set of image adjustments can be saved as a recipe and applied.

EOS Utility The latest version of EOS Utility provides essential support for Live View remote shooting (with the ability to overlay an image to assist with alignment of subsequent shots during product photography), camera configuration and image transfers. Tightly integrated with Digital Photo Professional, EOS Utility can be configured to monitor ‘hot’ folders, automatically renaming and moving incoming images to a structured file system. Users can also tag their images with EXIF data, including copyright information.

Picture Style Editor Picture Style Editor allows photographers to create individual Picture Styles that meet their personal requirements. Each Picture Style contains detailed information on how specific colours should be represented within an image. Once new Picture Styles have been created, they can be uploaded directly into the camera and applied to JPEG or RAW images. When working with RAW files in DPP, both personal Picture Styles and predetermined Picture Styles can all be adjusted.

18MP, 1080p HD Movies, ISO 6400: Canon redefines the boundaries of the consumer DSLR with the EOS 550D

United Kingdom / Republic of Ireland, 8th February 2010 – Canon today announces a groundbreaking new addition to its expanding, world-famous EOS range of Digital SLR cameras – the EOS 550D.

The EOS 550D redefines the boundaries of Canon’s consumer DSLR range, incorporating technologies and features more commonly found in semi-professional DSLRs into the compact, lightweight body favoured by consumers. With a newly-developed 18 Megapixel (MP) APS-C CMOS sensor, coupled with Canon’s advanced DIGIC 4 image processor and the ability to shoot Full HD movies, photography enthusiasts are empowered to explore new levels of creativity.

Creative control with no compromise on quality

The EOS 550D makes Canon’s powerful imaging technology more accessible to consumers. Canon’s advanced DIGIC 4 image processor and 18MP sensor support standard ISO settings of 100 – 6400 (expandable to 12800), while enhanced in-camera noise reduction technology boosts performance in low light conditions. The system’s 14-bit image processing also produces smoother tonal gradation and natural looking colours for high quality prints and on-screen display.

For swift and accurate focusing, the EOS 550D features a 9-point AF system with one extra-sensitive cross–type point at the centre for f/2.8 or faster lenses. The EOS 550D also supports high-speed, continuous shooting at 3.7 frames per second (fps). These

features provide users with the opportunity to exert greater control over their images, allowing them to capture split-second moments with ease and accuracy.

Continuing Canon’s tradition of filtering new technology and features down from its advanced and professional DSLR ranges, the EOS 550D includes the iFCL metering system first launched in the EOS 7D. New for EOS is the ability to set the top limit for automatic ISO, allowing users to control the maximum amount of noise in their images. In a first for entry level EOS, exposure compensation and bracketing can be set up to plus or minus five and two stops respectively, allowing the photographer to take a number of differently exposed versions of the same shot to ensure they capture a well-exposed image, even in difficult lighting conditions.

“Digital SLR photography has captured the imagination of consumers globally,” said Kieran Magee, Director of Product Planning, Consumer Products, Canon Europe. “Every year, more and more individuals are looking to record key life events with unrivalled quality or to test and explore their creativity. The EOS 550D redefines the entry level DSLR category, putting technologies and features previously the preserve of the professional into the hands of the consumer – allowing them to achieve outstanding results. With the EOS 550D, consumers are free to explore the limits of their own creative vision.”

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. In situations where the subject is further away, the EOS 550D Movie Crop function records with the central 640x480 pixel area of the sensor, creating an effective magnification of approximately seven times. The EOS 550D is the first in the EOS range to feature Movie Crop and gives consumers more flexibility to capture important moments which would otherwise be too far away.

A clear view of your world

The EOS 550D also allows photographers to view their images and video in unhindered clarity. A 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 Clear View LCD screen with 1,040k dot resolution makes it possible to see 100% of captured images with no borders. The anti-reflective, water-repellent coating also makes it easier to see the screen in bright conditions and from a variety of angles.

EOS build – Canon quality

As consumers would expect from an EOS DSLR, the EOS 550D is built to a high quality specification. It features bigger, more intuitive buttons which have been redesigned following feedback from users. Based on this feedback, the EOS 550D also features an additional button on the new, battery grip, allowing aperture settings to be changed when shooting with the camera in a vertical position, without having to reorient the body.

Share the moment with friends and family

For EOS 550D photographers, shooting great pictures and video is just a first step. Thanks to an integrated HDMI port compatible with High-Definition Multimedia Interface – Consumer Electronics Control (HDMI-CEC), video and images stored on the EOS 550D can be viewed on an HD-ready TV and controlled via the TV remote.

For users who want to transfer content wirelessly, the EOS 550D includes Eye-Fi connected functions. The EOS 550D features a dedicated Eye-Fi section in the User Interface and it disables the automatic power-down function when an Eye-Fi card is transmitting - allowing users to transfer content easily and without interruption.*

Accessories

The EOS 550D is fully compatible with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX series Speedlite flash units, including the compact Speedlite 270EX. The EOS 550D is also compatible with the new RC-6 Remote Control, allowing photographers to capture high quality stills and Full HD video without touching the camera body. The slim line infrared controller can trigger the shutter release from up to five metres away, with users able to select either immediate release or a two second delay for greater flexibility when shooting. As well as supporting EOS 550D, the RC-6 is also compatible with the EOS 450D, 500D, 7D and 5D Mark II.