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Canon 50D vs Nikon D500

Portability
57
Imaging
53
Features
65
Overall
57
Canon EOS 50D front
 
Nikon D500 front
Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75

Canon 50D vs Nikon D500 Key Specs

Canon 50D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 12800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 822g - 146 x 108 x 74mm
  • Released October 2008
  • Previous Model is Canon 40D
  • Successor is Canon 60D
Nikon D500
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 1640000)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 860g - 147 x 115 x 81mm
  • Launched January 2016
  • Previous Model is Nikon D300S
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Canon 50D vs Nikon D500 Overview

The following is a in-depth review of the Canon 50D versus Nikon D500, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the 50D (15MP) and D500 (21MP) but they feature the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The 50D was introduced 8 years earlier than the D500 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the 50D grades against the D500 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon 50D over the Nikon D500

 50D D500 

Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Canon 50D

 D500 50D 
LaunchedJanuary 2016October 2008Newer by 87 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2359k920kCrisper display (+1439k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon 50D and Nikon D500

 50D D500 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Canon 50D vs Nikon D500 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera often, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Canon 50D has got outer dimensions of 146mm x 108mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") along with a weight of 822 grams (1.81 lbs) while the Nikon D500 has measurements of 147mm x 115mm x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") along with a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs).

Contrast the Canon 50D versus Nikon D500 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the 50D and the D500.

Canon 50D vs Nikon D500 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the 50D and D500 is 57 and 56 respectively.

Canon 50D vs Nikon D500 top view buttons comparison

Canon 50D vs Nikon D500 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading through technical specs. The image underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the 50D and D500.

As you can tell, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Nikon D500 to resolve more detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images much more aggressively. The more aged 50D is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Canon 50D vs Nikon D500 sensor size comparison

Canon 50D vs Nikon D500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 50D vs Nikon D500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 50D Portrait photography details
Nikon D500 Portrait photography details
71
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
79
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon 50D
Street photography with Nikon D500
57
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
68
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
boasts touch to focus
weather proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon 50D Sports photography information
Nikon D500 Sports photography information
62
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (800 CIPA)
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather proof
better than average battery pack (1,240 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Canon 50D as a Travel photography camera
Nikon D500 as a Travel photography camera
57
environment sealing
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
flash built-in
low battery pack (800 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
68
better than average battery pack (1,240 CIPA)
weather proof
has bluetooth
boasts touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 50D Landscape photography info
Nikon D500 Landscape photography info
65
manual focus
change lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
screen size is good (3")
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (800 shots)
77
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather proof
better than average battery pack (1,240 CIPA)
two card slots
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 50D Vlogging info
Nikon D500 Vlogging info
9
no video shooting
31
touchscreen
features face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes mic socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
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Canon 50D vs Nikon D500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 50D and Nikon D500
 Canon EOS 50DNikon D500
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model Canon EOS 50D Nikon D500
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2008-10-30 2016-01-05
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Expeed 5
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 22.3 x 14.9mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 332.3mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 21MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4752 x 3168 5568 x 3712
Maximum native ISO 3200 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO 12800 1640000
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 153
Cross focus points - 99
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF/EF-S Nikon F
Available lenses 326 309
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 2,359 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT liquid-crystal color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x 0.66x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 6.3fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m (ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p
Maximum video resolution None 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 822 grams (1.81 lb) 860 grams (1.90 lb)
Dimensions 146 x 108 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") 147 x 115 x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 63 84
DXO Color Depth score 21.8 24.1
DXO Dynamic range score 11.4 14.0
DXO Low light score 696 1324
Other
Battery life 800 images 1240 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-511A EN-EL15
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant)
Card slots Single Dual
Launch pricing $996 $1,497