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


55 Imaging
67 Features
74 Overall
69
Canon 50D vs Canon 5D MIII Key Specs
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 22MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600 (Boost to 102400)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF Mount
- 950g - 152 x 116 x 76mm
- Revealed May 2012
- Succeeded the Canon 5D MII
- Renewed by Canon 5D MIV

Canon 50D vs Canon 5D MIII Overview
Let's look a bit more in depth at the Canon 50D versus Canon 5D MIII, both Advanced DSLR cameras and they are both created by Canon. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the 50D (15MP) and 5D MIII (22MP) and the 50D (APS-C) and 5D MIII (Full frame) boast totally different sensor sizing.

The 50D was brought out 4 years prior to the 5D MIII and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief summation of how the 50D scores vs the 5D MIII with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon 50D vs Canon 5D MIII Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon EOS 50D and Canon EOS 5D Mark III. The entire galleries are provided at Canon 50D Gallery and Canon 5D MIII Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 50D over the Canon 5D MIII
50D | 5D MIII |
---|
Reasons to pick Canon 5D MIII over the Canon 50D
5D MIII | 50D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | May 2012 | ![]() | October 2008 | Fresher by 43 months |
Screen size | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 920k | Crisper screen (+120k dot) |
Common features in the Canon 50D and Canon 5D MIII
50D | 5D MIII | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly screen |
Canon 50D vs Canon 5D MIII Physical Comparison
When you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and size. The Canon 50D enjoys exterior measurements of 146mm x 108mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") along with a weight of 822 grams (1.81 lbs) whilst the Canon 5D MIII has specifications of 152mm x 116mm x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") with a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs).
See the Canon 50D versus Canon 5D MIII in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the 50D versus the 5D MIII.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the 50D and 5D MIII is 57 and 55 respectively.

Canon 50D vs Canon 5D MIII Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be hard to see the contrast in sensor sizing purely by going through specs. The photograph underneath will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the 50D and 5D MIII.
As you can plainly see, both the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The 50D because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF trickier and the Canon 5D MIII will produce extra detail having its extra 7MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The older 50D will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon 50D vs Canon 5D MIII Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 50D vs Canon 5D MIII Specifications
Canon EOS 50D | Canon EOS 5D Mark III | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Canon |
Model | Canon EOS 50D | Canon EOS 5D Mark III |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Revealed | 2008-10-30 | 2012-05-22 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4 | Digic 5+ |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 36 x 24mm |
Sensor area | 332.3mm² | 864.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 15MP | 22MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Max resolution | 4752 x 3168 | 5760 x 3840 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 25600 |
Max enhanced ISO | 12800 | 102400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Minimum enhanced ISO | - | 50 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 61 |
Cross focus points | - | 41 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Canon EF/EF-S | Canon EF |
Total lenses | 326 | 250 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.6 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3.2 inch |
Display resolution | 920 thousand dots | 1,040 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | TFT liquid-crystal color LCD | Clear View II TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.6x | 0.71x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 6.3 frames/s | 6.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m (ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye | no built-in flash |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/250 secs | 1/200 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 fps fps), 1280 x 720 (59.94, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) |
Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | - | H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Optional |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 822 gr (1.81 lbs) | 950 gr (2.09 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 146 x 108 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") | 152 x 116 x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 63 | 81 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.8 | 24.0 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.4 | 11.7 |
DXO Low light score | 696 | 2293 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 800 photos | 950 photos |
Type 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 feature | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA | Compact Flash Type I (UDMA compatible), SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | Dual |
Cost at release | $996 | $2,780 |