Less than a year after the launch of the EOS Rebel T1i (500D) comes the latest in Canon's hugely popular consumer SLR range, the Rebel T2i (EOS 550D). With the 450D and 500D Canon appeared to be pulling away slightly from the real 'entry level' (a sector driven almost entirely by price), and the EOS 550D - on paper at least - is no exception, outgunning many of the 'upper entry level' and mid range SLRs on the market today in terms of spec. To ensure it doesn't lose out at the price-sensitive DSLR entry point Canon is once again introducing its new flagship Rebel as a 'sister' product to the camera it ostensibly replaces. The EOS 500D (Rebel T1i) will be staying in the range for the rest of 2010 (at, one presumes, a more attractive price point). We would assume that the new model finally spells the end of the line for the current 'bargain' Canon, the venerable Rebel XSi (EOS 450D).

In many respects the EOS 550D is a 'baby EOS 7D'. As well as getting a resolution boost to a class-leading 18 megapixels and a significantly upgraded movie mode (which now offers full HD capture at up to 30 fps, has full manual control and the option to use an external stereo microphone), the EOS 550D gets the 7D's sophisticated new metering system (bringing it a lot closer to similarly positioned Nikon SLRs). It also sports a new widescreen (3:2) LCD panel, has improved button design and finally offers the ability to customize the Auto ISO function.

KUALA LUMPUR, 20th October 2009 - Canon Marketing (Malaysia), a global leader in photographic and digital imaging solutions, today launched the EOS 7D aimed at bridging the gap between skilled amateurs and professional photographers. A class higher than Canon’s popular 50D, the EOS 7D is built for the demanding advanced amateur photographer who would invest in the right equipment to achieve the desired results.

Canon extends its lead in the advanced DSLR segment in the EOS 7D with class-leading performance, expandability and top-rate finishes to meet the needs of discerning photographers. The EOS 7D is ergonomically designed and centered on the user, versatile enough to adapt to the photographer’s preferences and needs.

18 Megapixel sensor, Dual DiGiC4

The EOS 7D offers the highest quality images in its class, thanks to Canon’s 18 megapixel CMOS sensor (APS-C size) with user-selectable sensitivity range from ISO 100-6400 (expandable to ISO 12,800).

Yet proving to be another first in its class, the EOS 7D is paired with not one, but two DIGIC 4 imaging processors to deliver outstanding color and tonal reproduction, as well as meet the additional demands of higher processing speed.

The EOS 7D offers a high continuous shooting rate of 8fps to capture fast-moving action sequences at a maximum burst of approximately 94 shots for large/fine jpeg images, and 15 shots in RAW.