Canon EOS 550D
Competitors

As well as being compared against other entry-level DSLRs, the Canon EOS 550D is also often compared to pro DSLRs, mirrorless and super zooms. The Canon EOS 550D's top rivals come from Canon (such as the EOS 600D and the EOS 1100D) and Nikon (such as the D5100 and the D3100)

Generally, some of the advantages of the Canon 550D compared to other entry-level DSLR competitors include: it has a slightly higher resolution screen (1,040k dots vs 230k dots), takes slightly higher resolution photos (17.9 MP vs 14.2 MP), records movies in 24p, has slightly less startup delay (400 ms vs 1500 ms) and has an external mic jack.

However, on average it doesn't have a screen which flips out, has a marginally smaller sensor (APS-C 22.3x14.9mm vs APS-C 23.1x15.4mm) and has a slightly shorter battery life (440 shots vs 660 shots).

Canon EOS 600D 1 year newer $860 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the 600D (vs the 550D) Has a flip-out screen Significant disadvantages of the 600D (vs the 550D) Much more startup delay: 1500 ms vs 400 ms Significantly larger: Professional size 133x99x79 mm vs Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm Much thicker: 3.1" vs 2.4" common strengths of the 600D and 550D Both shoot high resolution HD movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps High resolution screens: 1,040k dots vs 1,040k dots Larger than average screens: 3.0" vs 3.0"
	Compare the 600D vs the 550D
Nikon D5100 1 year newer $500 - $597 (body only) $600 - $697 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D5100 (vs the 550D) Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 784 ISO Much better image quality: 80.0 vs 66.0 More dynamic range: 13.6 EV vs 11.5 EV Significant disadvantages of the D5100 (vs the 550D) Doesn't have a built-in focus motor Significantly larger: Prosumer size 127x96x78 mm vs Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm Much thicker: 3.1" vs 2.4" common strengths of the D5100 and 550D Both shoot high resolution HD movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 1,040k dots Larger than average screens: 3.0" vs 3.0"
	Compare the Nikon D5100 vs the Canon EOS 550D
Nikon D3100 6 months newer $500 - $547 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D3100 (vs the 550D) Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significant disadvantages of the D3100 (vs the 550D) Much lower resolution screen: 230k dots vs 1,040k dots Lacks an external mic jack Lower true resolution: 14.2 MP vs 17.9 MP common strengths of the D3100 and 550D Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 30fps Larger than average screens: 3.0" vs 3.0" 24p support
	Compare the Nikon D3100 vs the Canon EOS 550D
Canon EOS 1100D 1 year newer $489 - $559 (body only) $587 - $643 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the 1100D (vs the 550D) Significantly longer battery life: 800 shots vs 440 shots Significant disadvantages of the 1100D (vs the 550D) Much lower resolution screen: 230k dots vs 1,040k dots Much smaller screen: 2.7" vs 3.0" Lower resolution movies: 720p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps common strengths of the 1100D and 550D Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 162 lenses
	Compare the 1100D vs the 550D
Canon EOS 500D 10 months older $539 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the 500D (vs the 550D) Significantly less shutter lag: 159 ms vs 252 ms Significant disadvantages of the 500D (vs the 550D) Worse color depth: 21.7 bits vs 22.1 bits Lacks an external mic jack No 24p support common strengths of the 500D and 550D Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 20fps vs 1080p @ 30fps High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 1,040k dots Larger than average screens: 3.0" vs 3.0"
	Compare the 500D vs the 550D
Nikon D90 1 year older $830 - $897 (body only) $1,047 55-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D90 (vs the 550D) Better image quality: 73.0 vs 66.0 More dynamic range: 12.5 EV vs 11.5 EV Significantly larger viewfinder: 0.63x vs 0.54x Significant disadvantages of the D90 (vs the 550D) Lower resolution movies: 720p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 30fps Lacks an external mic jack Significantly lower true resolution: 12.2 MP vs 17.9 MP common strengths of the D90 and 550D High resolution screens: 930k dots vs 1,040k dots Larger than average screens: 3.0" vs 3.0" Minimal startup delay: 300 ms vs 400 ms
	Compare the Nikon D90 vs the Canon EOS 550D

Generally, some of the advantages of the Canon 550D compared to pro DSLR competitors include: it has a slightly higher resolution screen (1,040k dots vs 230k dots), uses fast phase detection autofocus (phase detection vs contrast detection), is newer (february, 2010 vs september, 2008), is slightly smaller (prosumer size 129x98x62 mm vs professional size 152x114x75 mm) and is thinner (2.4" vs 3").

However, on average it is slightly more noisy at high ISO (784 ISO vs 1,815 ISO), slightly smaller viewfinder (0.54x vs 0.71x), it's body is not weather sealed, doesn't shoot as fast continuously (3.7 fps vs 6 fps) and has a marginally smaller sensor (APS-C 22.3x14.9mm vs full frame 36.0x24.0mm).

Canon EOS 60D 6 months newer $848 - $1,304 (body only) $1,177 - $1,342 18-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 60D (vs the 550D) Has a flip-out screen Much faster max shutter speed: 1/8000 of a second vs 1/4000 of a second Significant disadvantages of the 60D (vs the 550D) Much thicker: 3.1" vs 2.4" common strengths of the 60D and 550D Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 162 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 145x106x79 mm vs Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm Supports RAW
	Compare the 60D vs the 550D
Canon EOS 7D 5 months older $1,509 - $1,821 (body only) $1,429 - $1,849 18-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 7D (vs the 550D) Weather sealed Significantly less shutter lag: 131 ms vs 252 ms Shoots significantly faster: 8 fps vs 3.7 fps Significant disadvantages of the 7D (vs the 550D) Significantly thicker: 2.9" vs 2.4" Significantly heavier: 860 g vs 530 g common strengths of the 7D and 550D Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 162 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 148x111x74 mm vs Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm Supports RAW
	Compare the 7D vs the 550D
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 1 year older $2,189 (body only) $2,899 - $2,999 24-105mm lens	Significant advantages of the 5D Mark II (vs the 550D) Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 1,815 ISO vs 784 ISO Significantly better image quality: 79.0 vs 66.0 Better color depth: 23.7 bits vs 22.1 bits Significant disadvantages of the 5D Mark II (vs the 550D) Larger: Professional size 152x114x75 mm vs Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm Much thicker: 3" vs 2.4" Significantly heavier: 850 g vs 530 g common strengths of the 5D Mark II and 550D Fairly small: Professional size 152x114x75 mm vs Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm Supports RAW Thin: 3" vs 2.4"
	Compare the 5D Mark II vs the 550D
Canon EOS 50D 1 year older $1,075 - $1,282 (body only) $1,980 18-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the 50D (vs the 550D) Significantly less shutter lag: 131 ms vs 252 ms Much faster max shutter speed: 1/8000 of a second vs 1/4000 of a second Significant disadvantages of the 50D (vs the 550D) Does not take movies: None vs 1080p @ 30fps Worse color depth: 21.8 bits vs 22.1 bits Significantly thicker: 2.9" vs 2.4" common strengths of the 50D and 550D Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 162 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 146x108x74 mm vs Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm Supports RAW
	Compare the 50D vs the 550D
Canon EOS 40D 2 years older $650 (body only)	Significant advantages of the 40D (vs the 550D) Much faster max shutter speed: 1/8000 of a second vs 1/4000 of a second Significant disadvantages of the 40D (vs the 550D) Much lower resolution screen: 230k dots vs 1,040k dots Slower autofocus: Contrast detection vs Phase detection Does not take movies: None vs 1080p @ 30fps common strengths of the 40D and 550D Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 162 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 146x108x74 mm vs Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm Supports RAW
	Compare the 40D vs the 550D
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 2 years newer $3,499 - $3,500 (body only) $4,299 - $4,300 24-105mm lens	Significant advantages of the 5D Mark III (vs the 550D) Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 2,293 ISO vs 784 ISO Significantly better image quality: 81.0 vs 66.0 Better color depth: 24 bits vs 22.1 bits Significant disadvantages of the 5D Mark III (vs the 550D) Significantly larger: Professional size 152x116x76 mm vs Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm Much thicker: 3" vs 2.4" Significantly heavier: 950 g vs 530 g common strengths of the 5D Mark III and 550D Fairly small: Professional size 152x116x76 mm vs Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm Supports RAW Thin: 3" vs 2.4"
	Compare the 5D Mark III vs the 550D

Generally, some of the advantages of the Canon 550D compared to mirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors include: it has a slightly higher resolution screen (1,040k dots vs 460k dots), has a viewfinder (pentamirror vs none), takes significantly higher resolution photos (17.9 MP vs 10 MP), records movies in 24p and has much less startup delay (400 ms vs 1900 ms).

However, on average it doesn't record high-speed movies (none vs 1,200 fps), has slightly narrower dynamic range (11.5 EV vs 12.2 EV), slightly lower maximum light sensitivity (6,400 ISO vs 25,600 ISO), doesn't have a touch screen and doesn't shoot as fast continuously (3.7 fps vs 60 fps).

Sony NEX-5N 1 year newer $598 - $600 (body only) $650 - $698 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-5N (vs the 550D) Lower noise at high ISO: 1,079 ISO vs 784 ISO Better maximum light sensitivity: 25,600 ISO vs 6,400 ISO Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5N (vs the 550D) Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 162 lenses Much more startup delay: 1900 ms vs 400 ms No viewfinder: None vs Pentamirror common strengths of the NEX-5N and 550D Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 60fps vs 1080p @ 30fps High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 1,040k dots Good color depth: 23.6 bits vs 22.1 bits
	Compare the Sony NEX-5N vs the Canon EOS 550D
Sony Alpha NEX-5 3 months newer $569 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-5 (vs the 550D) Has a flip-out screen Has in-camera HDR Can create panoramas in-camera Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5 (vs the 550D) Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 162 lenses Many fewer cross-type focus points: 0 vs 1 No viewfinder: None vs Pentamirror common strengths of the NEX-5 and 550D Both shoot high resolution HD movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 1,040k dots Good color depth: 22.2 bits vs 22.1 bits
	Compare the Sony Alpha NEX-5 vs the Canon EOS 550D
Nikon 1 J1 1 year newer $547 10-30mm lens	Significant advantages of the J1 (vs the 550D) Records high-speed movies: 1,200 fps vs None Video autofocus: Phase detection vs None Shoots much faster: 60 fps vs 3.7 fps Significant disadvantages of the J1 (vs the 550D) Much fewer lenses available: 4 lenses vs 162 lenses Significantly more noise at high ISO: 372 ISO vs 784 ISO No viewfinder: None vs Pentamirror common strengths of the J1 and 550D Both shoot high resolution HD movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps Both use faster phase detection autofocus which is uncommon: Phase detection vs Phase detection Popularity: 12,277,454 vs 61,459,621
	Compare the Nikon 1 J1 vs the Canon EOS 550D

Generally, some of the advantages of the Canon 550D compared to super zoom competitors include: it has a slightly larger screen (3.0" vs 2.7"), has a significantly higher resolution screen (1,040k dots vs 230k dots), is slightly smaller (prosumer size 129x98x62 mm vs professional size 123x92x108 mm), takes much higher resolution photos (17.9 MP vs 9.7 MP) and significantly higher maximum light sensitivity (6,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO).

However, on average it doesn't record high-speed movies (none vs 240 fps), doesn't have image stabilization (none vs lens), doesn't shoot as fast continuously (3.7 fps vs 10.3 fps), doesn't have a screen which flips out and lacks a built in HDR feature.

Canon Powershot SX40 1 year newer $337 - $380	Significant advantages of the SX40 (vs the 550D) Has a flip-out screen Image stabilization: Lens vs None Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significant disadvantages of the SX40 (vs the 550D) Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm Much lower true resolution: 9.7 MP vs 17.9 MP Lacks an external mic jack common strengths of the SX40 and 550D Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 30fps Both support 24p, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these Better sensor types: CMOS vs CMOS
	Compare the Powershot SX40 vs the EOS 550D
Nikon Coolpix P510 2 years newer $400	Significant advantages of the P510 (vs the 550D) Has a flip-out screen Image stabilization: Lens vs None Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significant disadvantages of the P510 (vs the 550D) Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm Much lower true resolution: 9.7 MP vs 17.9 MP Lacks an external mic jack common strengths of the P510 and 550D Both shoot high resolution HD movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps Very high resolution screens: 921k dots vs 1,040k dots Better sensor types: CMOS vs CMOS
	Compare the Nikon Coolpix P510 vs the Canon EOS 550D