Im looking to upgrade within the next few months and im really confused on what to go for!
Im conteplating on gettin either a canon 550d, 600d or a 60d or 7d lol, if i get the 550 or 600 i will be getting a canon macro lens with it but if i get the 60d or 7d ill be just getting the camera with the lens it come with. Im looking to start doing portraiture photography and in the future hope to persue in starting a bussiness doing it so any advice or help on which youd recommend going for would be a great help as im confused on what to do for the best :/

Thank you, i have been to my local store but their selling point is how big the megapixels are lol which to be honest is quite low on the list! But i think i may see if i have better luck with a local studio! Thanks again

Of course they want to sell a lens with the cam but you can also go only for a body. For portrait and if the budget is there I would go for the 7 D and a nice prime lens between 80 and 100 mm and 1.8 or 2.0 . Then you will have a combination where you can take portraits even in the dark, ....nearly.
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OK, your local camera store is staffed by idiots. Every camera Canon has manufactured in the last four years has enough pixels for professional level A3+ prints.

You can buy the body only (which is cheaper) and use the lenses you already have, although the 7D will punish poor quality glass.

As we both speak "Canon", here's the deal: right now for you it's the 600, 60 or 7. The 7 will last you longest. You'll grow out of the others sooner.

Lenses: All Canon DSLRs (called "EOS") except the 1 and 5 series can use every kind of lens made for Canon by Canon or others. The 1 and 5 series cannot use Canon EFS lenses, which are designed specifically for the small sensors found in the other series. The other series can use all Canon lenses but the focal length has to be multiplied by 1.6 because their sensors are 1.6 smaller than the film/full-frame equivalent. This means if you have, say, a 60D and fit a 50 mm lens on it. It will behave like an 80 mm lens (which is the starting point for portraits). Telephotos become longer, wide-angles become standard angles and the standard 100 mm Canon macro becomes a bit too long @ 160 mm. You might have to opt for the 60 mm macro lens. There's a lovely EFS from Canon and an absolutely astounding (I've used it) 60 mm f/2.0 macro from Tamron, which offers the best value for money I've seen on a lens in a long time.

You might also want to consider a second-hand 5DII, a now legendary full-frame camera (I'm on my second). Buying second-hand is risky unless you know what you're doing and/or trust the vendor.

I'd plump for the 7D. It is the most expensive, but it's the best all-rounder. The viewfinder is large and bright for macros and portraits. Battery life, ergonomics, image quality and build quality are the best from the ones you've mentioned. If price is the sticking point, as a business expense it's set against your income (tax break) and you save by buying only the body and hunting for that extraordinary Tamron lens (cheaper than the Canon 60 mm EFS and much faster).

I hope that helps, Rhianna.

I'd go for the 600 and a macro for your purposes. You won't see any difference in the image quality for all practical intents and purposes, especially if you're stuck with your old kit lens where as a macro will lift your work. The 600 has a articulated LCD viewer which is brilliant for macro work. I don't know how I've done without all these years. The 7D has the advantage of being "weather sealed" which means you don't have to panic if it starts raining and might be worth the peace of mind if you're the type to go on photo shoots in the rain and is the one thing I wished I had.

I use my 7d for portraits and weddings along with everyday life shots- and would recommend it

haha Stefan your very right my local store is full of idiots, i think i could do a better job than most of them, if the key selling point is mega pixels!
Second hand is good but when it comes to camera i a bit weary as you dont really know what your getting!
thank you everyone for you opinions and help i think i have a lot to think about before i do make a choice, maybe a pros and cons list would also help me!
ill let you know when i have come to a conclusion!