Canon EOS 550D is an "instant classic"

The Canon EOS 550D DSLR camera has "stunning" still pictures and movie qualities, according to one reviewer.

Stuff magazine, said the device – which is an "instant classic" – gives the user a choice between an optical viewfinder and the three-inch Live View screen for framing shots.

The 18-megapixel gadget has a movie mode that is "is brilliant enough to stiffen the clapperboards of any amateur filmmaker".

In addition, the reviewer describes the movie quality as being "eye-poppingly stunning, sharp and clean – even in low-light conditions" and HDMI cables and stereo microphones are some of the range of accessories that can be attached to the device.

Other gadgets from the manufacturer include the Canon EOS 1000D, which has a 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor and a seven-point wide-area auto focus system, which enables the user to fix on to subjects quickly.

There is also a 2.5-inch LCD screen with Live View mode.