Canon EOS 550D vs Canon EOS 1100D

Winner
Canon EOS 550D

57
Canon EOS 1100D

47

Runner-up

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 550D

Full HD
Movie format
1080p @ 30fps
High resolution screen
Screen resolution
1,040k dots
24p movies
Supports 24p
For that film look
External mic jack
External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
 

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 1100D

Startup delay
 Almost no delay when powering up
100 ms startup delay
Shutter lag
 Barely any delay taking photos
110 ms shutter lag
Battery life
 Great battery life
700 shots
Badge
 Phase detection autofocus
fast and accurate
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galleries

Explore our gallery of 50 sample photos taken by the Canon EOS 1100D.
Explore our gallery of 49 sample photos taken by the Canon EOS 550D.

competitors

Canon EOS 550D Competitors

Canon EOS 1200D

Canon EOS 1200D

Entry-level DSLR

$271 body only

Autofocus Video autofocus
Lowest price Significantly cheaper
Screen resolution Much lower resolution screen
Compare the EOS 1200D vs the EOS 550D
Canon EOS 600D

Canon EOS 600D

Entry-level DSLR

$1,977 body only

Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen
Startup delay Much more startup delay
Compare the EOS 600D vs the EOS 550D
Canon EOS 700D

Canon EOS 700D

Entry-level DSLR

$499 with 18-55mm lens

Autofocus Video autofocus
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Color depth Worse color depth
Compare the EOS 700D vs the EOS 550D

Canon EOS 1100D Competitors

Canon EOS 1200D

Canon EOS 1200D

Entry-level DSLR

$271 body only

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen size Much larger screen
Viewfinder size Smaller viewfinder
Compare the EOS 1200D vs the EOS 1100D
Canon EOS 600D

Canon EOS 600D

Entry-level DSLR

$1,977 body only

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Startup delay Much more startup delay
Compare the EOS 600D vs the EOS 1100D
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$529 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen size Much larger screen
Shutter lag Much more shutter lag
Compare the D3100 vs the EOS 1100D
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discussion

Canon EOS 550D
EOS 550D
Canon

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Canon EOS 1100D
EOS 1100D
Canon

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Showing 10 comments

Avatar for Dylan Sheldon Dylan Sheldon (0:56 AM, October 04, 2013)
I've recently upgraded to a 7D from my 550D which served be extremely well for 2 years. My friend shoots on an 1100D, so I've had hands-on experience with both models. Firstly, both cameras perform superbly for their price range. Although the 1100d is a newer model, the 550D has quite a few advantages over it, which is to be expected as the 1100 is canons most basic DSLR. The 1100Ds auto settings are better than the 550Ds, however if you plan to get more serious with DSLR photography and move out of the auto settings, the 550D shines over the 1100. Higher ISO and faster shutter speeds to name a few. Also, for film enthusiasts the 550D is the obvious option. Another thing that personally bothered me about the 1100D was the somewhat cheap feel. Both cameras don't have an amazing build quality, but the 1100 is made almost completely of cheap feeling plastic. The 550D is plastic as well, but feels a lot sturdier in the hand. Ultimately, the 1100D is canons most basic camera, and although it's older, the 550D is part of a slightly more advanced range of cameras, so is obviously gaining to trump many features of the 1100D. If you have the money, go for the 550D (it's honestly not that expensive anyway), but if you are on a budget, or you are brand new to DSLR photography and plan to use auto settings predominantly, than the 1100D will suit you just as well.
 
Avatar for Photography! Photography! (4:01 PM, December 26, 2012)
1100D is kicking 550D.because 550D shooting images is risk of blur.1100D is Significantly higher true İmage quality :)
 
Avatar for bubbleezgi_gs_007 bubbleezgi_gs_007 (10:11 AM, August 27, 2012)
EOS1100D picture quality is better than 550D but 550D video quality is much better than 1100D.
 
Alps (2:45 PM, August 20, 2012)
read at the first row..
Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 1100D : Built-in focus motor

is that really, a Canon 1100D has a built in focus motor??
 
guest (0:15 PM, April 12, 2012)
to my mind 1100d is so much better. i've seen pictures from 550d and i did not like them. they look really bad, and from 1100d pictures are so much better. They are more realistic maybe. 1100d has easier menu then 550d and it's a perfect for beginners.  
 
Not a Professional (11:52 PM, December 11, 2011)
I have seen images from the 550 and 1100 and have to say, the 550 takes a much much better picture (although this is just my humble opinion)_
 
Avatar for Sean Varley Sean Varley (1:44 AM, November 29, 2011)
video is important so i agree 1 len with the 550d should be fine. thanks
 
anonymous (9:04 PM, November 28, 2011)
is video important to you? and continuos shooting rate? personally i would get the 550d with the 1 kit lens then over time save up abit more and get a better lens. although many 'pros' tell you to go get good glass then with what ever is left a body as they go obsolete. The average person probably wont be upgrading their body often, so i think a higher quality body would be more appreciated. 
 
Avatar for Sean Varley Sean Varley (5:09 AM, November 27, 2011)
Easy to see the 550d is better, but is it worth getting the 550d with 1 lens or the 1100d with 2 lens( EF-S 18-55mm and EF-S 55-250m) for the same price???. Any help appreciated. 
 
Avatar for Satyam Joshi Satyam Joshi (3:06 AM, November 24, 2011)
on basis of image quality and low light performance, please rate these cameras.? response needed very urgently !!
 
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