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Canon 50D vs Canon 5D

Portability
57
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58
Canon EOS 50D front
 
Canon EOS 5D front
Portability
55
Imaging
55
Features
41
Overall
49

Canon 50D vs Canon 5D Key Specs

Canon 50D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise to 12800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 822g - 146 x 108 x 74mm
  • Released October 2008
  • Succeeded the Canon 40D
  • New Model is Canon 60D
Canon 5D
(Full Review)
  • 13MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 895g - 152 x 113 x 75mm
  • Launched November 2005
  • Replacement is Canon 5D MII
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Canon 50D vs Canon 5D Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Canon 50D and Canon 5D, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both of them are produced by Canon. The sensor resolution of the 50D (15MP) and the 5D (13MP) is very well matched but the 50D (APS-C) and 5D (Full frame) boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The 50D was manufactured 3 years after the 5D which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short overview of how the 50D scores versus the 5D with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon 50D over the Canon 5D

 50D 5D 
LaunchedOctober 2008November 2005More modern by 37 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Canon 5D over the Canon 50D

 5D 50D 

Common features in the Canon 50D and Canon 5D

 50D 5D 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Canon 50D vs Canon 5D Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and volume. The Canon 50D has physical measurements of 146mm x 108mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") with a weight of 822 grams (1.81 lbs) whilst the Canon 5D has sizing of 152mm x 113mm x 75mm (6.0" x 4.4" x 3.0") with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

See the Canon 50D and Canon 5D in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the 50D against the 5D.

Canon 50D vs Canon 5D size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 50D and 5D is 57 and 55 respectively.

Canon 50D vs Canon 5D top view buttons comparison

Canon 50D vs Canon 5D Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to envision the gap between sensor sizes purely by looking at technical specs. The pic underneath will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the 50D and 5D.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The 50D because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Canon 50D will resolve extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The younger 50D is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon 50D vs Canon 5D sensor size comparison

Canon 50D vs Canon 5D Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 50D vs Canon 5D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 50D as a Portrait photography camera
Canon 5D as a Portrait photography camera
72
manual focus
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
65
focusing manually
MP count good (13 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Canon 50D Street photography features
Canon 5D Street photography features
57
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
56
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon 50D Sports photography info
Canon 5D Sports photography info
62
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
weather sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
low battery life (800 per charge)
55
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
MP count good (13MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery power (800 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 50D Travel photography details
Canon 5D Travel photography details
57
weather sealing
megapixel count good (15MP)
built-in flash
low battery life (800 shots)
does not have selfie friendly display
49
environment proofing
MP count good (13 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (800 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon 50D
Landscape photography with Canon 5D
66
manual focus
switch lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
no image stabilization
low battery life (800 shots)
54
focusing manually
switch lenses (Canon EF mount)
MP count good (13 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery power (800 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 50D Vlogging advice
Canon 5D Vlogging advice
9
can't shoot video
9
can't record video
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Canon 50D vs Canon 5D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 50D and Canon 5D
 Canon EOS 50DCanon EOS 5D
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model Canon EOS 50D Canon EOS 5D
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2008-10-30 2005-11-12
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Digic II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 22.3 x 14.9mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 332.3mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 13 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 4752 x 3168 4368 x 2912
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest boosted ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF/EF-S Canon EF
Available lenses 326 250
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.5 inches
Display resolution 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT liquid-crystal color LCD TFT liquid-crystal color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x 0.71x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.3 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m (ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye External
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 822 grams (1.81 pounds) 895 grams (1.97 pounds)
Physical dimensions 146 x 108 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") 152 x 113 x 75mm (6.0" x 4.4" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 63 71
DXO Color Depth score 21.8 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 11.4 11.1
DXO Low light score 696 1368
Other
Battery life 800 images 800 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-511A BP-511A
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA Compact Flash (Type I or II)
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $996 $2,780