Hey guys! I bought the canon 550d about a year ago. I had just discovered photography and was looking for a decent camera. For the money I paid for this, it is value. It is important to note that this camera cannot be compared to the high end cameras, for the price this camera is a beast. I checked out a couple of videos that explained how to use the canon 550d, and was to good to go, however mastering all the features that this camera offers will take some time. It is important to know your gadget completely to get those flawless pics you want. The battery life is pretty decent, I personally found no problems with it. Also you will get a kit lens with it, the 18-55 lens. I chose to upgrade to a 18 - 135 though. Overall I would recommend this camera to any avid photographer.