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Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D50

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
70
Overall
67
Canon EOS 5D Mark II front
 
Nikon D50 front
Portability
64
Imaging
44
Features
39
Overall
42

Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D50 Key Specs

Canon 5D MII
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 850g - 152 x 114 x 75mm
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Succeeded the Canon 5D
  • Updated by Canon 5D MIII
Nikon D50
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 620g - 133 x 102 x 76mm
  • Introduced July 2005
  • Successor is Nikon D40X
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Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D50 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Canon 5D MII and Nikon D50, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the 5D MII (21MP) and D50 (6MP) and the 5D MII (Full frame) and D50 (APS-C) feature different sensor measurements.

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The 5D MII was revealed 3 years after the D50 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short view of how the 5D MII grades versus the D50 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon 5D MII over the Nikon D50

 5D MII D50 
IntroducedFebruary 2009July 2005More modern by 44 months
Screen sizing3"2"Bigger screen (+1")
Screen resolution920k130kCrisper screen (+790k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon D50 over the Canon 5D MII

 D50 5D MII 

Common features in the Canon 5D MII and Nikon D50

 5D MII D50 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D50 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon 5D MII enjoys outer measurements of 152mm x 114mm x 75mm (6.0" x 4.5" x 3.0") and a weight of 850 grams (1.87 lbs) and the Nikon D50 has dimensions of 133mm x 102mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") along with a weight of 620 grams (1.37 lbs).

Look at the Canon 5D MII and Nikon D50 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. The following is the front view scale comparison of the 5D MII vs the D50.

Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D50 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the 5D MII and D50 is 56 and 64 respectively.

Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D50 top view buttons comparison

Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D50 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to picture the difference in sensor sizes just by seeing technical specs. The image below might give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the 5D MII and D50.

As you have seen, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The 5D MII with its bigger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh simpler and the Canon 5D MII will provide more detail because of its extra 15MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots far more aggressively. The younger 5D MII provides an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D50 sensor size comparison

Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D50 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 5D MII Portrait photography advice
Nikon D50 Portrait photography advice
79
has manual focus
resolution is good (21MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW files
53
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/500s)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
low resolution (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Canon 5D MII as a Street photography camera
Nikon D50 as a Street photography camera
59
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
58
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (620g)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon 5D MII
Sports photography with Nikon D50
70
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
low fps (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
38
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
slow frames per second (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low resolution (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 5D MII Travel photography features
Nikon D50 Travel photography features
55
weather sealing
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
50
lighter than competition in class (620 grams)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
low resolution (6 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 5D MII Landscape photography advice
Nikon D50 Landscape photography advice
70
has manual focus
switch lenses (Canon EF mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
resolution is good (21MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
lack of image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
46
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
small screen (2 inch)
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
low resolution (6MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5D MII Vlogging info
Nikon D50 Vlogging info
29
includes face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone jack
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
9
no video shooting
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Canon 5D MII vs Nikon D50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 5D MII and Nikon D50
 Canon EOS 5D Mark IINikon D50
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II Nikon D50
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2009-02-13 2005-07-23
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 23.7 x 15.5mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 367.4mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 6MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 5616 x 3744 3008 x 2000
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF Nikon F
Total lenses 250 309
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2 inches
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 130 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT liquid-crystal color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 98% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.5x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 11.00 m
Flash settings no built-in flash Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200 seconds 1/500 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 1920x1080 None
Video format H.264 -
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 850 gr (1.87 lb) 620 gr (1.37 lb)
Dimensions 152 x 114 x 75mm (6.0" x 4.5" x 3.0") 133 x 102 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 79 55
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 20.9
DXO Dynamic range score 11.9 10.8
DXO Low light score 1815 560
Other
Battery life 850 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model LP-E6 EN-EL3
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 to 20 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Microdrive SD card
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $1,190 $499