[rbarry]

Hello Photoplus,

Love the magazine (do I sound like a Steve Wright sycophant?).

I was rather surprised by your summary verdict of the Canon 550D in the article referenced in the subject matter of this posting, that being; "Help me buy my next Canon D-SLR".

I fail to see how the ability of this camera to capture high definition video be considered a negative feature when arriving at your verdict score. To quote, "HD video seems unnecessary" next to a big red X. As the majority of the latest DSLR cameras include HD video capability, it would be more appropriate to include those cameras that don't have HD video capability as a mark against in the red "X" section.

I realise there are purists that have no time for video in a stills camera, and find the thought of video and stills in the same device abhorrent. However, you don't have to use it. I don't believe that manufacturing costs would be reduced if this feature were not included; the R & D has already been carried out on previously released models, including this models immediate elder sibling the 500D. I dare say it could be disabled in firmware, but how will that benefit the end user or the manufacturer. Effectively you are getting an extremely high quality HD video camera for nothing. How on earth can this be considered "unnecessary"?

The other points raised were low burst rate and reduced viewfinder magnification. I can live with that as there are other models around that can better those characteristics, albeit at a price.

Technological improvements move on very quickly in the DSLR world, and yesterday's top dog will inevitably be tomorrow's also ran. It may have been more appropriate to have mentioned the inherited focus system from the previous model, or the lack of an adjustable screen when assessing this camera, which I assume is based on many things such as price, feature set, innovation etc.

I hope I don't sound like a narrow minded blinkered curmudgeon, and I'm not suggesting thst the 550D should have been given any higher status than it achieved. In fact I thought the 7D might have beaten or come close to the overall points awarded to the 550D. The 60D deserves it's place at the top, it ticks all the boxes of spec, innovation, price etc. I just feel it to be unjustified that the ability to record HD video be considered "unnecessary" in the 550D, yet presumably appropriate in other models.

Love the magazine..........