T2i OR 50D (maybe 40D)?

So I want to grab a second body for event stuff, and something a little smaller and lighter than my 1D mkII when I'm outdoing outdoors shooting (hiking, mtb, climbing). BUT I'm stuck between if I should go with something with video or not. I've shot multiple news assignments with the 40D and 50D and I'm quite happy with those. Done a little bit with a T1i, and owned a XS so I know the feeling of the rebel line. One of the advantages of it being the stupid light weight. Not wanting to get a T1i since the video on it is limited.

Also 7D is out of my price range or I'd just get that :/

so for me it comes down to this

xxD Pro's
better AF
50 is sealed somewhat
CF cards
scroll wheel

xxD Con's
Heavier
no video

T2i Pro's
Video
stupid light weight
7D sensor

T2i Con's
SD cards
not sealed
AF not as great (although I don't know how good the AF is on the T2i...anyone?)

Seems reasonably simple. Do you want to be able to do video? If so, then the T2i. If not, then a 50D! Also, the familiarity of the scroll wheel will make you far more proficient on a 50D than any rebel.

I initially upgraded from an XT to a T1i, but then decided that I preferred the improved performance (AutoFocus, Microadjust, etc) and jumped to a 50D. Haven't looked back since!

Of course there's always the 60D...? (Video, Scroll Wheel, 18MP, etc)

For what it's worth, pictures from a T2i.

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DC Fan wrote in post #11126220
No problems with the camera or controls.

Just to clarify, the problem isn't inherently the controls on the Rebel series (I did fine with mine for many years). It's the action of switching between rebel controls (4 button nav) and non-rebel controls (scroll wheel).

When I first got my 50D - I was a little baffled by the controls because I was used to my old Rebel. Now I can manipulate the 50D with barely a thought, but trying to use a friend's T1i felt "complicated" because I was no longer used to it.

If the really light weight is a factor, the T2i is a pretty darn good camera for the form factor. My backup also serves as my wife's camera when we travel or go shooting together, and for her, weight and size are of utter importance (small hands and a joint condition do not mix well with heavy cameras), so the T2i was a no-brainer for me.

I sometimes use it when I need extra telephoto reach over my 5DII, and I don't find it hard to move from one to the other (but then again, all I usually change in the middle of a shoot are aperture and ISO, neither of which require the use of the control wheel/4-way buttons)

SD isn't really a drawback, considering a 16GB class 10 SDHC card can be bought for 35$, and almost every computer under the sun has an SD card reader built-in.

Luc

T2i costs a tiny bit cheaper than 50D but packed with newer gen features.
If you want video -> t2i
If you want the scroll wheel, better body material then 50D

I went from XT to 50D over t2i b/c I am more of a photographer than a videographer and I really like the scroll wheel.

I just went from a t2i to a 50D and the weight difference is very noticeable.

IQ may be a bit better with the t2i but that's marginal at best.

I'd go for the t2i, better iq, better high iso's, AF difference is minor. If the size bothers you get an aftermarket grip.

I don't know if i could live without the joystick and scroll wheel on the back of the xxd's bodies....

the high Iso from t2i is the best these three

Could someone post some 1600, and 3200 iso photos from the T2i?

also what is the AF like in the dark. Cause that is going to be very noticeable for me, being VERY use to how much the 1D mkII kicks ASS