Digital SLR: Compare features & prices Canon EOS 550D review http://www.which.co.uk/technology/photography/reviews/digital-slr/canon-eos-550d/review/

System type
The type of camera system this model belongs to - different systems have different ranges of compatible lenses.

Resolution Mp
The measured effective resolution, in megapixels. This sometimes differs very slightly from the manufacturer's claimed figure.

Sensor size (inches)
Most condumer DSLRs have relatively similar sensor sizes. APS-C sized sensors are 1/0.9 inches, though four-thirds and micro four-thirds sensors are smaller, at 1/1.17 inches. Generally, larger sensors give better results in low light.

Optical zoom range (mm)
When the lens is fitted to this camera, the optical zoom changes.

Weight (g) with lens
With kit lens, lens cap, strap, battery and memory card.

Image stabilisation
Image stabilisation sharpens images that might otherwise be blurry (due to hand shake). Refers to built-in image stabilisation. Lenses sometimes have image stabilisation built-in. When the kit lens has image stabilisation, it is noted.

Test programme date
We change and improve our testing and scoring procedure on an annual basis, so cameras tested in different years aren't directly comparable

Live View
Live View lets you compose a shot on the LCD screen, previewing picture settings.

HDMI output
An HDMI output allows you to connect the camera to an HD TV to watch videos in high definition - you will also need an HDMI cable, which may not be included with the camera.

Scene Modes
Test

Face detection
Face detection lets the camera intelligently focus on and expose faces detected within a shot - it only works in automatic mode, usually.

Manual focus
Useful when the autofocus doesn't work or focusses on the wrong thing. Manual focussing is done using the ring on the lens.

Max manually selectable ISO
Setting a high ISO setting helps you to achieve good dim light pictures, without flash. Noise increases though.

Movie mode
720p, 1080i and 1080p are all high definition recording resolutions, though 1080p, or 'full-HD' is more detailed and tends to be the smoothest.

Stabilisation in Movie Mode
Some DSLRs allow you to use the image stabiliser during movie recording, if there is a mechanical stabiliser in the lens or body of the camera.

External Mic input
Some DSLRs allow you to connect an external microphone to improve sound quality during movie recording

Shutter delay close
The time it takes for the camera to take the picture, after you have pressed the button from a completely unpressed position (as opposed to a half-pressed position which cuts shutter delay considerably). Subject is close.

Shutter delay far
The time it takes for the camera to take the picture, after you have pressed the button from a completely unpressed position (as opposed to a half-pressed position which cuts shutter delay considerably). Subject is farther away and lens is zoomed in.

Start-up time (s)
When you switch the camera on, there is usually a delay before the camera is ready to take a picture

Shot-to-shot time (single shot mode)
After taking a shot in single shot mode, there is usually a delay before the camera is ready to take the next shot. The time shown is the delay measured when no flash is used (this delay is normally longer).

Shot-to-shot time (burst mode)
Many cameras can take several shots a second in burst mode. Our test data is for the average time between sequential shots using a total burst of ten shots in a row.

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