In terms of noise, I guess you are comparing the size of the 12mp on the D90 with the 24mp on the D3300 and D5300 bigger files thus noisier. Try downsizing the 24mp files to suit the 12mp files from the d90. I guess the noise will be significantly reduced. After all technology has been advancing. Many Mid Range DSLR out there can easily shot ISO 6400 with acceptable files and shot higher ISOs if necessary. If not mistaken, the D90 tops out at ISO 6400.

But not to forget the ruggedness and durability of the D90 compare to the more plasticky entry level DSLRs.

Cheers........

you must be using the camera in a wrong way. what aperture are you shooting with the 50mm? i have been using the 550D for 2 years, and totally no complaints in term of sharpness.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/83735357@N04/

all my photos are shot with the 550D, sharp or not, you decide.

Then the question is why do you still want a DSLR? It looks like you're not changing your kit lens. Its a slow cheap lens that needs to be stopped down to F8 to bring out its best super sharpness. And because you're thinking compact cameras are shooting better I'll assume you're not using enough manual adjustments to bring out the best of the 550d. Compact do have much better automatics than the 550D.

You could change your camera to a top line compact like Sony RX100 or Canon G1X mk2. If you never plan to buying lenses these cameras suit you better and probably have far more friendly automatics to bring good quality pictures. Especially low light no flash these cameras will impress you. Another thing is I'll assume you don't know how to compose your picture through a viewfinder which 550D must use to properly autofocus. Compacts can easily set a # grid to easily see the rule of third points and shoot live view.

Premium compacts seem to be more suitable for you. Unless you still plan to have more lenses you can also consider a mirrorless camera.

You won't see a significant increase in image quality if you switch bodies. 550d is a very capable camera, there are a lot of very good pictures produced with that model, and that generation's sensor.

Lens is a better investment, or read up more and try different things, and you're the one who's taking the shot, not the cameras, if your photos suck with the 550d, I doubt it'll be any better even if you switch bodies.

Might be useful if you share some of the photos that you're not satisfied with as well.

Ok thanks all