 | 07.10.2010 - Late Thursday night I got a surprise to see two cameras. Of course I won't lie that I got the Canon Power Shot SX210 IS super zoom camera. One of the recent products released my Canon this recent February. The other is owned by my sister which is the Canon EOS Kiss X4 (Released for UK & Asia is called Canon EOS 550D and for the US as Rebel T2i), which comes with a default 18-55 MM lens. Both cameras was bought in Japan less than the cost sold here in the Philippines. Most notably my interest in cameras spanned from my grade school years. I have multiple film cameras used and honed the ability to take pictures. Until I was able to own a digital camera back in 1999... (Please CLICK on the title for the full article) |
The Canon EOS Kiss X4 is designed to appeal for first-time DSLR buyers and enthusiasts. It offers a lot more technology at a higher price than we might expect for a camera aimed at this level. It follows the previous released Kiss X3 (Canon EOS 500D) with more upgrades than a swiss army knife. Its an entry level camera for newbies who are gearing up with serious photography. But it depends really in a lifestyle of the user if your a trendsetter or just owning one for the hype that everyone owns a DSLR.
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Though if you have been a camera person from way back, and growing up being practical individual I don't seriously suggest getting one immediately. It makes the difference when people see you owning a DSLR, but that's not the case and there's a good and bad point in getting one.
Not to discourage everyone about not getting a DSLR. Its a good way getting started with serious photography, but if you haven't developed the skills to use this kind of device a simple point & shoot would do good.
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The handling this camera has changed the way I look at DSLRs, though still not convinced on getting it for the heck of owning one. You can't deny how this one has improve being just 530 grams in weight, and there are tons of features to explore. I have used a few DSLRs previously but this one has made me think twice. Probably surely next year I will get one for my own. I still need to learn more by borrowing this one for now.
So what's attractive about the Canon EOS Kiss X4? Its the name? The handling? Surely there is something I like about this latest offering from Canon.
 | I'm still gonna call it the Canon Kiss X4 as it is printed in the box as well as labeled in the camera itself. Just to have the uniqueness from the Canon EOS 550D. Though professional photographers know the names, but for those who just recently owned a Canon EOS check out some review sites. You'll see the name difference as well as the product content. There's no different between the names but mostly the latest DSLR Canon had released recently is known as Canon EOS 550D. The only different between the Japanese Canon EOS Kiss X4 is it comes with a lens protector label. Its the same camera with a different name and to add to the slight difference is that the Kiss X4's language option is only for English/Japanese mode option. Unlike the 550D which targeted for an international release with multi-language options. |
The Canon EOS 550D's charger needs a cord to attach to the base, while the Kiss X4's charger has a built-in plug.
I admit not being a camera expert when it comes to terminologies and what not, but if you ask me how I take my pictures you don't need words to explain it. Now comparing the Kiss X4 to my old Canon PowerShot S5iS side by side is like a mere child's toy that needs growing up.
The PowerShot S5iS has served its purpose since acquiring it in 2007. Right now its current use is taking videos only as the lens has already worn out. After being in use for three years straight it has given some of those memorable shots. It still has a chance to be rejuvenated, but not as of this immediate time. It has DSLR abilities just like the Kiss X4, but not entirely a full version. Because of its label under the PowerShot category the camera is still a point and shoot hybrid.
Some features would be interesting looking at the Canon EOS Kiss X4:
List price (US)
*Body only: $799
*Body+18-55 IS Kit: $899
List price (EU)
*Body only: €729 + VAT
*Body+18-55 IS Kit: €829 + VAT
International naming:
* US: Canon Rebel T2i
* Japan: Canon EOS Kiss Digital X4
* Elsewhere: Canon EOS 550D
Body material
Stainless Steel and polycarbonate resin with glass fiber
Sensor
*18.7 million effective pixels
*18.0 million total pixels
*22.3 x 14.9 mm CMOS sensor
*RGB Color Filter Array
*Built-in low-pass filter with self cleaning unit
*3:2 aspect ratio
Dust reduction
*Low-pass filter vibration at power-on (can be interrupted)
*Anti-static coating on sensor surfaces
*Software based dust-removal (camera maps dust, removed later)
Image sizes
*5184 x 3456
*3456 x 2304
*2592 x 1728
Still image formats
*RAW (.CR2 14-bit)
*RAW (.CR2 14-bit) + JPEG Large/Fine
*JPEG (EXIF 2.21) - Fine, Normal
Movie recording
*1920 x 1080 (1080P, 16:9) @ 30/25/24 fps
*1280 x 720 (720P, 16:9) @ 60/50 fps
*640 x 480 (4:3) @ 60/50 fps
*Quicktime MOV format (H.264 video,linear PCM audio)
*Up to 29 min 59 sec (or max file size 4 GB)
Image processor
DIGIC 4
Lenses
Canon EF / EF-S lens mount
1.6x field of view crop
Focus modes
*Auto Focus
*Manual Focus (switch on lens)
Auto Focus
*9-point CMOS sensor
*F5.6 cross-type at center, extra sensitivity at F2.8
*AF working range: -0.5 to 18 EV (at 23°C, ISO 100)
*Predictive AF up to 10 m
AF modes
*AI Focus
*One Shot
*AI Servo
AF point selection
*Auto
*Manual
AF assist
*Flash strobe
Shooting modes
*Auto
*Portrait
*Landscape
*Close-up
*Sports
*Night portrait
*Flash off
*Movie
*Program AE (P)
*Shutter priority AE (Tv)
*Aperture priority AE (Av)
*Manual (M)
*Auto depth-of-field
Metering
*TTL 63-zone SPC
*Metering range: EV 1.0 - 20 EV (at 23°C, ISO 100, 50 mm F1.4)
Metering modes
*Evaluative 63-zone (linked to AF points)
*Partial 9% at center
*Spot 4% at center
*Center-weighted average
AE Lock
AE lock button
AE Bracketing
*+/- 2.0 EV (3 shots)
*0.5 or 0.3 EV increments
Exposure compen.
*+/- 5.0 EV
*0.5 or 0.3 EV increments
Sensitivity
*Auto (100 - 6400 *)
*ISO 100
*ISO 200
*ISO 400
*ISO 800
*ISO 1600
*ISO 3200
*ISO 6400 *
*H1 expansion (ISO 12800 equiv.)
*Highlight tone priority
Shutter
*Focal-plane shutter
*30 - 1/4000 sec (0.5 or 0.3 EV steps)
*Flash X-Sync: 1/200 sec
*Bulb
Aperture values
*F1.0 - F91 (0.3 EV steps)
*Actual aperture range depends on lens used
White balance
*Auto
*Daylight
*Shade
*Cloudy
*Tungsten
*Fluorescent
*Flash
*Custom
WB Bracketing
*+/-3 levels
*3 images
*Selectable Blue/Amber or Magenta/Green bias
WB fine-tuning
*Blue (-9) to Amber (+9)
*Magenta (-9) to Green (+9)
Color space
*sRGB
*Adobe RGB
Picture style
*Standard
*Portrait
*Landscape
*Neutral
*Faithful
*Monochrome
*User 1
*User 2
*User 3
Custom image parameters
*Sharpness: 0 to 7
*Contrast: -4 to +4
*Saturation: -4 to +4
*Color tone: -4 to +4
*B&W filter: N, Ye, Or, R, G
*B&W tone: N, S, B, P, G
Image processing
*Highlight Tone Priority
*Auto Lighting Optimizer (Basic and Creative modes)
*Long exposure noise reduction
*High ISO speed noise reduction
*Peripheral illumination correction
Drive modes
*Single
*Continuous: 3.7 fps up to 34 Large/Fine JPEG / 6 RAW frames *
*Self-timer 10 secs (2 sec with mirror lock-up)
*Self-timer continuous
Mirror lockup
Yes (custom function)
Viewfinder
*Pentamirror
*95% frame coverage
*Magnification: 0.87x (-1 diopter with 50 mm lens at infinity)
*Eyepoint: 19 mm
*Dioptric adjustment: -3.0 to +1.0 diopter
*Fixed precision matte
*Proximity sensor disables LCD shooting mode information
Viewfinder info
*AF information (AF points focus confirmation light)
*Shutter speed
*Aperture value
*ISO speed (always displayed)
*AE lock
*Exposure level/compensation
*Spot metering circle
*Exposure warning
*AEB
*Flash ready
*High-speed sync
*FE lock
*Flash exposure compensation
*Red-eye reduction light
*White balance correction
*SD card information
*Monochrome shooting
*Maximum burst
*Highlight tone priority
DOF preview
Yes, button
LCD monitor
*3.0" 3:2 TFT LCD
*1040,000 pixels
*Approx 100% coverage
*Wide viewing angle (160° horizontal and vertical)
*Dual anti-reflection, anti-smudge
*7 brightness levels
*Up to 10x zoom playback
LCD Live view
*Live TTL display of scene from CMOS image sensor
*100% frame coverage (30 fps display rate)
*Real-time evaluative metering using CMOS image sensor
*Best view or exposure simulation
*Grid optional (thirds)
*Magnify optional (5x or 10x at any point on the screen)
*Optional Auto-focus with mirror-down / mirror-up sequence
*Quick or Live mode autofocus
Record review
*Uses last play mode
*Magnification possible
*2 / 4 / 8 sec / Hold
Flash
*Auto pop-up E-TTL II auto flash
*Guide number approx 13
*Modes: Auto, Manual Flash On/ Off, Red-Eye Reduction
*X-Sync: 1/200 sec
*Flash exposure compensation: +/-2.0 EV (0.3 or 0.5 EV steps)
*Coverage up to 17 mm focal length (27 mm FOV equiv.)
External flash
*E-TTL II auto flash with EX-series Speedlites
*Hot-shoe
Other features
*Orientation sensor
*In-camera copyright information
*Automatically writes FAT16/FAT32 depending on capacity
Auto rotation
*On (playback uses orientation data in file header)
*Off
Playback mode
*Single image
*Single image with info (histogram brightness / RGB )
*Magnified view (1.5 - 10x in 15 steps, browsable)
*4 and 9 image index
*Auto play
*Image rotation
*Jump (by 10, 100 or date)
Custom functions
12 custom functions with 36 settings
Menu languages
*English
*Japanese
Firmware
User upgradable
Connectivity
*USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed)
*Video out (PAL / NTSC) (integrated with USB terminal *)
*HDMI mini output (HDMI-CEC)
*E3 type wired remote control
*Remote Controller RC-6
*External microphone (3.5mm Stereo mini jack
Audio
*Mono microphone on front
*Mono speaker on rear
*External stereo mike (optional)
Storage
*SD / SDHC card
*SDXC card *
Power
*Lithium-Ion LP-E8 rechargeable battery
*Approx 440 shots (23°C AE 50%, FE 50%), CIPA standard
*4 level battery life display
*Optional ACK-E8 AC adapter kit
Battery Grip
Yes, BG-E8
Direct printing
*Canon Selphy Printers
*Canon Bubble Jet Printers with direct print function
*Canon PIXMA Printers supporting PictBridge
*PictBridge
Dimensions
129 x 98 x 75 mm (5.1 x 3.9 x 2.9 in)
Weight (inc batt/card) 530 g (1.17 lb)
Software
*Zoom Browser EX / ImageBrowser
*Digital Photo Professional (Windows / Mac)
*PhotoStitch
*EOS Utility (inc. Remote Capture; Windows & Mac except Mac Intel)
*Original Data Security Tools
*Picture Style Editor
For full reviews and details how the Canon EOS Kiss X4 (Canon EOS 550D) check out at Ditigal Photography Review site where the specs source can be found.
8 comments:
may i know, is there any difference between canon eos 550d and eos kiss4?
The only difference is that the KissX4 has only two language options available, which is English and Japanese.
While the 550D has a lot more language settings. Because the KissX4's target market is for Japan consumers only.
so,both of the camera still have the same function?actually, i want to buy my first dslr.but the problem is,i don't know which dslr should i choose.eos 550d or eos kiss x4.here in my country,malaysia, eos kiss x4 is cheaper than 550d.so, i think there is a difference between this two cameras and i thought eos550d has some function that kiss 4 doesn't have(so,because of that eos550d is more expensive than kiss s4).please. i can get some advice and tips from you regarding dslr.thank you
Yes. Both cameras are the same. The only difference mainly is the language option. The only reason it was named KissX4, though not 100% percent sure is because the Japanese can't pronounce the word "550D".
Please by all means get the KissX4 as its only missing a lot of other language options except English and Japanese.
I really love taking pictures and lately I started to have interest in dslr's (not bec. most people own one but I'd really like to take a step up in taking quality pictures) and I'm thinking of owning one soon so I read reviews to give me an idea of what to have. Then searching for canon eos kiss x4's reviews, I saw your blog. You (or your sister?) own this model for a year now, can you give me a more detailed review? you know, the "it could have been better if it's..." are you satisfied with the results so far? would you recommend me to buy this or just forget about it lol.
I really love taking pictures and lately I started to have interest in dslr's (not bec. most people own one but I'd really like to take a step up in taking quality pictures) and I'm thinking of owning one soon so I read reviews to give me an idea of what to have. Then searching for canon eos kiss x4's reviews, I saw your blog. You (or your sister?) own this model for a year now, can you give me a more detailed review? you know, the "it could have been better if it's..." are you satisfied with the results so far? would you recommend me to buy this or just forget about it lol.
It takes time to develop a good perspective when you've been taking photos for a long time. Yes this was my sister's Canon EOS Kiss X4 (aka Canon EOS 550D in UK & Asia).
Though I don't want to make it too technical just written about the camera because of its simplicity.
For people who wants to get into the DSLR band wagon the "Entry Level" of Canon EOS series 550D (Kiss X4) and 600D would be a good suggestion.
Now all you need to find out which one works for you. As both models have similar features but the advantage of the Canon EOS 600D is that you get a Vari-Angle LCD as opposed to the predecessor in Kiss X4 (600D).
Thanks! I think I would consider taking more infos on photoraphy and taking better pictures using a professional lens first and when I think I'm ready, I'll go get one. Do u have a multiply or any photo sharing site where I could check your works? If you don't mind.
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