Value

One stumbling blocks for the EOS 550D will be the price, as the RRP is high for a beginner-aimed DSLR. Sitting at £900 SRP with the 18-55mm kit lens, the EOS 550D is already almost £300 more than the SRP of the Nikon D5000, one of its close rivals.

For the extra cash both the increased resolution and Full HD movie mode are the only real benefits over the chasing pack, so those unfussed by the larger file size or higher quality HD video needn’t shell out the extra cash.

Comparing a number of shots and results side-by-side, the 550D does come out favourably against the competition. Those with an existing stock of Canon lenses are likely to embrace the full EOS 550D’s functionality, so the extra few hundred pounds shouldn’t be too much of a stretch.