What is the better semi-pro DSLR camera?

I have been thinking of buying a Semi-Pro camera. I was considering Canon 40D or 50D then I would make my Canon 550D my back-up/secondary camera. I'm not really considering 60D because I think that it only has minor differences with the 50D. I hope you guys can help me out. I was planning on upgrading because I felt that I am limited by the 550D's capabilities. THANKS! ^^

In what way do you feel limited by the 550D? What functions are you missing? The 40/50D isn't terribly much different than the 550D. Apart from the bigger, heavier body I wouldn't say it's worth the upgrade...

The main difference would be that the 40/50D shoots around 6.5fps, the 550D 3.5fps and the 50D has slightly better AF points. The 550D has video too of course.

The main thing is WHAT do you like to shoot? That's what it all comes down to.
Personally, unless you like sports, I'd stay with the 550D and invest in better lenses.

Also, you might wanna check this out:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=826709

Welcome to the forums!

The 60D is quite a bit a more significant change over the 50D than the 50D is over the 40D. In both directions, since there are both additions and removal of features.

You need to widen your scope a bit.

It's just that I feel i that I need a camera that is more "solid" like I want to step up from the hobbyist level. I want to take photography more seriously. It's not that the 550d has missing functions, it's just that I feel like I want to "grow up" photography-wise. It's more like entering college.. It's not a "need" but you want to go through it because you want to level up your game. hahaha (this reply has been so dramatic) )

Maybe you should save the money and invest into some good lenses. A good lens will hold its value and make more of a difference in your photography than a new body will.

It would help if you tell what lens you have as well as your budget amount.

yeah as others have said here and in other threads...the 550d is a more than capable camera!

It has the same image quality/high iso performance as my 7D and other more recent bodies!

All you're missing is some speed, AF speed, larger viewfinder and some extra button/dials.

what lenses do you currently have?

What do you usually/like to shoot?

Maybe we can recommend you better lenses that will improve your photography more than just a body change...

I currently have the kit lens of my 550D which is a 18-55mm and a Canon 50mm f1.8 lens. I usually shoot people. Using my camera of course. hahaha

how about neither... 7D is the way to go...

Laizen31 wrote in post #12550219
I have been thinking of buying a Semi-Pro camera. I was considering Canon 40D or 50D then I would make my Canon 550D my back-up/secondary camera.

After owning the 40D/50D cameras for the past few years, this is an easy question for me to answer. The 40D is a great camera but the 50D is considerably better, despite the internet dribble to the contrary. When I got the 50D the high res LCD blew me away. The lens micro adjust feature is invaluable for a working photog at times. The 40D files always looked great but left me wishing for more detail. The 50D sensor delivered. With the right glass, it is capable of amazing detail. Many folks don't realize it, but Canon really has noise reduction worked out in their Digital Photo Pro. It can do some amazing things. The 50D is every bit as good in regard to noise as the 40D with a 50% resolution boost.

Both cameras offer fast frame rate and decent AF performance.

Laizen31 wrote in post #12550520
I currently have the kit lens of my 550D which is a 18-55mm and a Canon 50mm f1.8 lens. I usually shoot people. Using my camera of course. hahaha

Spend your money on lenses. It will make far far more of a difference than a new body.

guyzer09 wrote in post #12550276
Maybe you should save the money and invest into some good lenses. A good lens will hold its value and make more of a difference in your photography than a new body will.

+1. After seeing your lenses, I'd add 1 or 2 quality lenses. You'll see improved/different results from glass far more than you will from a different body.

The 50D actually does have some nice upgrades from the 550D. The 50D shoots more frames per second, has a pentaprism instead of the pentamirror resulting in a brighter viewfinder, higher max shutter speed (1/4000 vs 1/8000)... However it is the same image processor and a lower res sensor so IQ will be, at the best, the same. WB options might be a little better on the 50D...?

One area that my 550D falls short is that it doesn't offer a PC Sync port for external flash. I know that I could buy an adapter but it would be nice to have it built in. I don't know if the 50D has one or not.

Either way, I like my 550D but one always longs for the next step up...

while technically the 550D is better on paper, I will say that I liked shooting with my 40D/1DmkII more simply because it had the quick control dial and had more buttons. It is super easy to change any settings where the 550D was a pain! Always having to press a button for exposure compensation got old. The build quality is obviously better too.

You should get some good lens first! Trust me, you will be force to upgrade your body later. Same to me, I bought a 24-70mm f/2.8 L on my 450d, after using it for a while, the 450d doesn't coop with the 24-70mm very good, it is very front heavy since the lens is way heavier than the body. The lack of iso performance on the 450d is another reason for me to upgrade the body as well. I am using the 60d now, the mid range Dslr is way more solid on hand, better control dials, faster AF and image quality is just amazing.

If you like shooting people, should consider picking up a sigma 30mm f/1.4. On a crop camera, this is a great lens, you don't have to walk very far away to capture a little bit more things, unlike the 50mm f/1.8.

If you want a everyday all purpose walk around lens, hands down 24-70mm f/2.8 L.