- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How they compare
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Compare with...
- Nikon D5100
- Canon EOS 60D
- Nikon D3200
- Nikon D5200
- Nikon D3100
- 17.9 MP
- APS-C CMOS
- 3" LCD
Released February, 2011
Rated 100% by by blujello51I am a tall guy (6'3") and the swivel screen is perfect for positioning the camera down and around in positions to get the best shot.
Rated 77% by by DPReview (Apr, 2010)As such, it's primarily made from three materials; a stainless steel chassis, the mirror box which is made of high-strength 'engineering plastic' and the body made of a special lightweight polycarbonate resin with glass fiber, which also provides some electromagnetic shielding.
Conclusion Which is better for you?
Features Key features of the Canon EOS 600D compared to the 550D
MP17.9
APS-C
Rated 100% by by Harvey (Sep, 2011)The flip out feature is amazing if you are shooting overhead or have your camera low to the ground.
17.9 MP
APS-C
Rated 100% by by Terry (Jan, 2011)Shutter delay is almost eliminated and even though I hate to admit it the larger sensor of the DSLR does result in a much cleaner image file making photo editing a breeze.
megapixels
| 0 MP | 17.9 MP   | 20 MP |
EOS 550D by DPReview (Apr, 2010)It's an obvious point - higher resolution sensors make higher demands on lenses - but it is one which is easily overlooked in the race to put higher and higher pixel counts into low-end and enthusiast DSLRs.
sensor size
EOS 600D by Dave-K. (May, 2011)This is not a professional level SLR, but it performs very well as a small, light APS-C camera.
EOS 550D by DPReview (Apr, 2010)The EOS 550D uses an APS-C size sensor and therefore you can't quite create the same DOF effects as on the full-frame EOS 5D Mark II but you still get a much shallower, more cinematic depth of field than with any digital compact camera.
viewfinder size
EOS 600D by dojoklo (Feb, 2011)Viewfinder: The T3i has a pentamirror viewfinder with 95% coverage of the actual resulting image.
EOS 550D by Dart (Jan, 2011)I also like the 'Live' setting (using the screen, which is a nice size, instead of the viewfinder) though under normal shooting I still like the viewfinder.
body size
133 x 100 x 80 mm
129 x 98 x 62 mm
EOS 600D by David-C.-Spooner--dspoon (Jul, 2011)My previous camera was a Panasonic DMC TZ5, a great little camera that even after 3 years is still pretty impressive for it's size.
EOS 550D by Richard-Hohn--Rixtar (May, 2012)I am especially pleased with the size and weight of the camera...it is among the smallest and lightest weight.
focus points
| 0 | 9 | 9 |
EOS 600D by Franck (Nov, 2011)Enhanced metering with a 63-zone, Dual-layer metering system for accurate metering between exposures, and 9-point AF system utilizing a high precision, f/2.8 cross-type center point.3.7 fps continuous shooting up to approximately 34 JPEGs or approximately 6 RAW.
Performance Real world tests of Canon EOS 600D vs 550D
DxOMark image quality
EOS 600D by this-game-is-awsome (Feb, 2012)Great for the beginner like my wife who sets it on full auto and takes great pictures of our gymnast and great for the intermediate like me who prefers many of the great manual functions for added effects and picture quality.
EOS 550D by Charles-Perschon--Desert-Photography (Mar, 2010)IMAGE QUALITY: Image quality is amazing.
DxOMark low light performance
EOS 600D by Carole-M.-Rickman (Jan, 2012)It does take very nice quality low light pictures as long as the subject is sitting still.
EOS 550D by VMI-1982 (Apr, 2012)This new unit was less expensive that that XTi it replace, has a higher resolution, uses my existing lenses and flash and seems to work even better than the one it replaces (I've notice a faster focusing and better performance under low light).
shutter lag
| 0 ms | 252 ms | 300 ms |
EOS 600D by dollface (May, 2012)I will say that the shutter lag while in live view mode was a little disappointing, but IMO didn't warrant dropping a star :o.
EOS 550D by AnthonyH (Aug, 2011)They have great response times and are easy press from shooting position.
continuous shooting
EOS 600D by DPReview (Mar, 2011)Because it takes 8 seconds to fully clear its buffer in these modes, it's not terribly useful for shooting short bursts of action, since there's every chance the camera won't have recovered by the time you need another handful of shots.
EOS 550D by Trapshooter--UncleGuido (Jul, 2010)I was very happy with the quickness of the continuous shooting.
battery life
440 photos
440 photos
EOS 600D by David-Robert (Jan, 2012)The T3is battery life is generally good... however, battery life is so subjective and is very dependent on how you shoot, the brightness of your LCD screen... and things like... whether you are using autofocus or not...For shooting photos, I have found the battery life to be excellent allowing me to take 400 to 600 shots before needed a change.
EOS 550D by Will-S. (Jun, 2010)Picture clarity is great, battery life is good, weight is comfortable, lens is good for a beginner (though I have upgraded and purchased a Canon 70-300mm), and the buttons/menus are easy to navigate once you figure everything out.
Differences What are the advantages of each
Advantages compared to the 550D
| Has a flip out screen | Yes | vs | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somewhat common; Great for recording movies | |||
| Marginally more recently announced | Feb, 2011 | vs | Feb, 2010 |
| Announced date a year later | |||
Advantages compared to the 600D
| Significantly less startup delay | 400 ms | vs | 1,500 ms |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7x less startup delay; Be ready for anything | |||
| Less delay taking photos | 252 ms | vs | 283 ms |
| More than 10% less focus lag; Avoid missing spontaneous moments | |||
| Much thinner | 62 mm | vs | 80 mm |
| More than 20% thinner | |||
| Significantly smaller | 129 x 98 x 62 mm | vs | 133 x 100 x 80 mm |
| More than 25% smaller | |||
| Lighter | 530 g | vs | 570 g |
| More than 5% lighter | |||
Reviews Word on the street
Canon EOS 600D | Canon EOS 550D | ||
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 | Rated by 1182 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by david (May, 2012) Rated 100% by by Michelinda-Smith (Nov, 2011) | Rated by 834 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by Bill (Jul, 2011) Rated 80% by by ELMC Rated 80% by by Ianos-Viskoundis--ianos (Jun, 2011) | |
screen
Canon EOS 600D | Rated 100% by by dojoklo (Feb, 2011)Articulating LCD Screen: The big new feature that the 60D and T3i have that the 7D and T2i do not is the articulating rear LCD screen.
Canon EOS 600D | Rated 80% by by Quiet-PC (Jul, 2011)Photos are about the same so if you already have the T2i it's not going to be an upgrade unless you use the video features (zoom) or need the articulating LCD.
Canon EOS 600D | Rated 77% by by DPReview (Mar, 2011)We noted though that the usefulness of the 60D's screen is compromised by its distinctly hesitant live view contrast-detect AF, and the 600D unfortunately hasn't improved in this regard (it does share the same sensor and processor after all).
video
Canon EOS 600D | Rated 100% by by David-Robert (Jan, 2012)The T3i is best suited for those who want an easy to use, fast, reliable high-end prosumer DSLR that shoots incredible 18 mega pixel photos and FULL HD video... all in compact package for well under $1,000.
Canon EOS 600D | Rated 100% by by Anuj (Aug, 2011)The manual controls for the video just adds to the quality of camera and the flip screen is also great value add compared to T2i.
Canon EOS 600D | Rated 100% by by David-Robert (Jan, 2012)The T3i also offers a 3x and 10x digital zoom that produces amazingly crisp video in movie mode.
flips out
Canon EOS 600D | Rated 80% by by TrustedReviews (Nov, 2011)Well, the most obvious upgrade over the 550D is the addition of a high-resolution, tilt-and-swivel LCD monitor that extends 180 degrees out from the camera body and swivels 270 degrees on its hinge.
Canon EOS 600D | Rated 80% by by acoffeecase (Aug, 2011)I absolutely love my T3i, especially with the new swivel lcd.
Canon EOS 600D | Rated 100% by by Craig-Benham--DrCraigBenham (Aug, 2011)The articulating screen wasn't necessary, yet it IS what made me choose this model over the T2i.
sensor
Canon EOS 600D | Rated 100% by by Scott-M.-Sheppard (Jul, 2011)Took wonderful action photos at the Phillies game last night using a Canon 18-200 lens on the T3i and a 3200 iso setting.
Canon EOS 600D | Rated 77% by by DPReview (Mar, 2011)What hasn't changed at all, though, is the camera's core specification, making the 600D the first camera in the line that hasn't gained a higher resolution sensor or new processor.
Canon EOS 600D | Rated 100% by by dojoklo (Feb, 2011)Since both cameras share the same 18 megapixel sensor and Digic 4 processor, both the T2i and T3i will create images with exactly the same image quality, produce the same low light/ high ISO performance, shoot at 3.7 frames per second, and have nearly the same size and build quality.
type
Canon EOS 600D | Rated 100% by by David-Robert (Jan, 2012)The T3i has what Canon calls "Live View Shooting"...which provides a very accurate simulation of photos and video using the LCD screen... This is especially helpful when doing a video shoot without a separate field monitor.
Canon EOS 600D | Rated 80% by by Caroline (Jun, 2012)The T3i also has movie mode, and an LCD screen that flips out-I love those features because I did not have them on my previous to dslrs.
Canon EOS 600D | Rated 100% by by dojoklo (Feb, 2011)If you work in Av, Tv, or M modes and need quicker and more direct access to your controls and the additional top LCD screen to view and change your current settings, then you need to consider the 60D or 7D over the T3i.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Nikon D5100 Largest sensor |
 | 2 | Canon EOS 60D Fastest rapid fire mode |
 | 3 | Nikon D3200 High resolution |
 | 4 | Nikon D5200 Best image quality as rated by DXOMark |
 | 5 | Nikon D3100 6-way tie: Can autofocus while shooting video |
 | 6 | Canon EOS 650D Has a touch screen |
 | 7 | Canon Rebel T3 Fastest to start up |
 | 8 | Sony SLT A58 Most detailed video recording mode |
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Canon EOS 600D
64% of users recommend the 550D over the Canon EOS 600D
Canon EOS 600D
Velvetflash 
Beginner II
600D all the way. Sensor is a bit better than on 550D and that flip out screen can help big time sometimes. Its not a big improvement from 550D but the flip out screen is a big advantage when... View Velvetflash's recommendation
- 0 comments
- January 18, 2013
- Reply to: Food photography
sofinium 
Beginner I
I would go for the 600D or 550D, the 550D is lower than the 600 only as it doesn't have a flip out screen and some other minor bits. Depends if you want the flip out screen or not. Either of are... View sofinium's recommendation
- 0 comments
- August 4, 2012
- Reply to: Which camera i have to choose as i am Beginner?
Nezar-Al-Basha 
Intermediate I
I would say 600D for sure ...it is new with many feature and you will regrat that you have when you learn much about camera but if you like another cheaper option go with 550D better than 1100D View Nezar-Al-Basha's recommendation
- 0 comments
- November 14, 2012
- Reply to: OK struggling with a decision on which Canon EOS to buy.
550D
Kural-Amudhan 
Beginner I
For still photography...............canon 550d is very much recommended because the image quality is amazing and it enclosed more features for the amature photographer ..................and the u... View Kural-Amudhan's recommendation
- 0 comments
- January 20, 2013
- Reply to: Which camera i have to choose as i am Beginner?
Carlos-Mart-nez 
Visitor
I strongly recommend the 550D, because I had it. When I upagraded it to the 600D I almost cry. There's a problem with the 600D talking about noise. You can appreciate noise even @ 100 ISO... my... View Carlos-Mart-nez's recommendation
- 0 comments
- October 24, 2012
- Reply to: Is the EOS 600D or EOS 550D better for
Philip-Davis 
Expert III
Between the two Canon cameras, I'd suggest the 550D because the flip out screen on the 600D seems unnecessary to me. If you're shooting food in a studio then you could shoot tethered to really a... View Philip-Davis's recommendation
- 0 comments
- July 25, 2012
- Reply to: Food photography
