Vacation back up camera?

These are the three crop cameras I own, just wondering which one would be the best on a cruise ship and on shore. Signature contain lens I own you can throw a few thoughts on that also.

I voted 50D because I prefer the control system on the xxD cameras

I voted 40D, but then I would have voted it as the primary camera as well!
The 50D that I had was a POS! It just never took sharp images on any of my (all L) lenses (regardless of AF adjustment) except on an original EF 400 F2.8L where it was great?!?
But I wasn't going to take a 6.1 Kilo lens on holiday!
I have used a number of 40D cameras and they just work! + they are an absolute bargain these days.

None. I'd use my phone or something like one of the G series of cameras. This is assuming it's not a photo specific vacation like going to the Galapagos Islands or something like that.

Your choices must depend on what pictures you think you might take.

I suggest travelling light. Take two of the crop-sensor camera bodies: 550D, 40D, or 50D -- your choice. (Pick two that use the same batteries.) Take your two EFs lenses: 18-55 and 55-250. Add a super-wide such as the 10-18EFs, or even the Rokinon 8mm fisheye. And, maybe add the 50/1.4 for low light photos.

Based on what I like to take, on my upcoming cruise I will probably take everything in my signature, but will use mostly the Rokinon 8mm fisheye, 15-85, and 70-300L. I have had good results "de-fishing" the Rokinon. Although the corners may not be a sharp as with a good prime or wide zoom, they are still acceptable to me.

Which one do you use the most? Are you taking a crop for possible birding or rough streets (where it wouldn't matter as much if it's stolen)? The 50D feels most like the 5D3, so I think it "compliments" the best, but maybe there's other issues more important to you. I'm not going to vote on what I'd take...as I'm not you, and you're the one who's going to be taking the photos

A quality point and shoot.

Since you're even asking, your photography is clearly important to you, even (or especially) in a vacation situation. On a cruise ship, yes, a P&S would be fine for shots of the people you're associating with. On shore, I agree you'll want a DSLR with its larger sensor - those are the photos that are going to end up on your wall, or being shared with family and friends. If you had the 7D, I'd say to take that, because of the common battery with the 5D2. Since you don't, you'll be needing to take a separate charger for each camera. Given that, and that the EOS 550 is a newer, and higher-pixel content, camera I'd be somewhat inclined to take that along. I wouldn't take the 40D; if I were to take one of the two xxD models, I'd take the newer 50D; and if I took it, it would be because the controls of the xxD series are more consistent with those on the 5D2. I think that your best choice for a second camera would be whichever one you're currently carrying along with the 5D2 when you go out. In a new environment, you don't want to have to think about your tools as well as the basic photos you're looking for.

You didn't say what kind of cruise, so I'm assuming a tour of the Caribbean.

I voted the T2i because it's the lowest profile. I'd bring that plus the 18-55 plus the 50 f1.4.

Buy a 1st gen EOS-M and adapter.

I want to thank everyone who replied, Yes it will be be a Caribbean cruise leavening from New York . I have three P/S cameras if not more, one which be an Olympus Tough 3000 for underwater pics. I'll be traveling to the the pier via private car so weight limit is not an issue. I'll be bringing my 5DMIII, 50D for shore excursions and the T2I. I know it's overkill !

So here is my reasoning, Full frame days at sea, T2I dinner time and the like ( smaller camera ) good ISO. 50D, off shore better weather sealing. All my gear is insured, but i don't need the BS of a "foreign man being in a foreign land. "

Please take a look at my signature and throw up some suggestions on lenses. Some of you might ask well what type of pics do you take? I take em all!

None of those.
Get an EOS-M with the EOS-M STM 18-55 It's the best Canon vacation camera ever.

say_cheese wrote in post #17735223
None of those.
Get an EOS-M with the EOS-M STM 18-55 It's the best Canon vacation camera ever.

Unless you want to shoot anything that is moving. May run into some neat wildlife inland. Great for scenery and still shots though.

For the record, my lightweight vaca camera of choice is an SL1 w 24 2.8 Pancake and 50 1.8 stm.

Copperny wrote in post #17734223
I want to thank everyone who replied, Yes it will be be a Caribbean cruise leavening from New York . I have three P/S cameras if not more, one which be an Olympus Tough 3000 for underwater pics. I'll be traveling to the the pier via private car so weight limit is not an issue. I'll be bringing my 5DMIII, 50D for shore excursions and the T2I. I know it's overkill !

So here is my reasoning, Full frame days at sea, T2I dinner time and the like ( smaller camera ) good ISO. 50D, off shore better weather sealing. All my gear is insured, but i don't need the BS of a "foreign man being in a foreign land. "

Please take a look at my signature and throw up some suggestions on lenses. Some of you might ask well what type of pics do you take? I take em all!

Heya,

5D3, no grip, 40 STM.
And your Olympus Tough.

Very best,

BlakeC wrote in post #17735262
Unless you want to shoot anything that is moving. May run into some neat wildlife inland. Great for scenery and still shots though.

For the record, my lightweight vaca camera of choice is an SL1 w 24 2.8 Pancake and 50 1.8 stm.

Ha Ha I agree, even with a better AF system i think the M would suck at moving objects. Using just LCD would be a pain. Now the SL1 would be just the ticket.