Canon 50D vs Canon 5D MII
57 Imaging
53 Features
65 Overall
57


56 Imaging
64 Features
70 Overall
66
Canon 50D vs Canon 5D MII Key Specs
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 21MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 25600)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF Mount
- 850g - 152 x 114 x 75mm
- Launched February 2009
- Superseded the Canon 5D
- Refreshed by Canon 5D MIII

Canon 50D vs Canon 5D MII Overview
Here is a in depth review of the Canon 50D vs Canon 5D MII, both Advanced DSLR cameras and they are both sold by Canon. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the 50D (15MP) and 5D MII (21MP) and the 50D (APS-C) and 5D MII (Full frame) use totally different sensor dimensions.

The 50D was manufactured 3 months before the 5D MII which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a short summary of how the 50D scores versus the 5D MII in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon 50D vs Canon 5D MII Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Canon EOS 50D and Canon EOS 5D Mark II. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon 50D Gallery and Canon 5D MII Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 50D over the Canon 5D MII
50D | 5D MII |
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Reasons to pick Canon 5D MII over the Canon 50D
5D MII | 50D |
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Common features in the Canon 50D and Canon 5D MII
50D | 5D MII | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | October 2008 | ![]() | February 2009 | Same generation |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen sizing |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 920k | Exact same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | No Touch friendly screen |
Canon 50D vs Canon 5D MII Physical Comparison
For those who are going to carry your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon 50D features outer dimensions of 146mm x 108mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 822 grams (1.81 lbs) while the Canon 5D MII has sizing of 152mm x 114mm x 75mm (6.0" x 4.5" x 3.0") with a weight of 850 grams (1.87 lbs).
Analyze the Canon 50D vs Canon 5D MII in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the 50D against the 5D MII.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 50D and 5D MII is 57 and 56 respectively.

Canon 50D vs Canon 5D MII Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor sizing merely by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic underneath should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the 50D and 5D MII.
As you can see, each of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The 50D because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Canon 5D MII will show greater detail due to its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively.

Canon 50D vs Canon 5D MII Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 50D vs Canon 5D MII Specifications
Canon EOS 50D | Canon EOS 5D Mark II | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Canon |
Model | Canon EOS 50D | Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2008-10-30 | 2009-02-13 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 4 | Digic 4 |
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 megapixel | 21 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Maximum resolution | 4752 x 3168 | 5616 x 3744 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Maximum boosted ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Min boosted ISO | - | 50 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Canon EF/EF-S | Canon EF |
Available lenses | 326 | 250 |
Crop factor | 1.6 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 920k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | TFT liquid-crystal color LCD | TFT liquid-crystal color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 98 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.6x | 0.71x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 6.3fps | 4.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m (ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye | no built-in flash |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/250 seconds | 1/200 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | - | H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 822 gr (1.81 pounds) | 850 gr (1.87 pounds) |
Dimensions | 146 x 108 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") | 152 x 114 x 75mm (6.0" x 4.5" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 63 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.8 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.4 | 11.9 |
DXO Low light score | 696 | 1815 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 800 pictures | 850 pictures |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BP-511A | LP-E6 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Microdrive |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $996 | $1,190 |