Canon EOS 1D X vs Canon EOS 550D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 1D X and Canon EOS 550D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS 1D X were released 2011 and Canon EOS 550D was released 2010. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 1D X 2011
Canon EOS 550D 2010

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 1D X has a "Canon Full Frame"-sensor while Canon EOS 550D has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 1D X 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS 550D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Canon EOS 1D X has a 18,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 550D has 18,7 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 1D X 18,1 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456
Canon EOS 550D 18,7 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

ISO range

Canon EOS 1D X has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 550D. Canon EOS 1D X has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Canon EOS 550D has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 1D X 100-51200
Canon EOS 550D 100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1D X
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 550D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 1D X can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 550D can shoot up to 3,7 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 1D X 12
Canon EOS 550D 3,7

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Canon EOS 1D X and Canon EOS 550D can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 1D X weighs 1340 gr (equal to 2.95 lb) which is 163% heavier than Canon EOS 550D and its 510 gr (or 1.12 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 1D X 1340 gr
2.95 lb
Canon EOS 550D 510 gr
1.12 lb

Canon EOS 1D X vs Canon EOS 550D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 1D X and Canon EOS 550D, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS 1D X
Canon EOS 550D
Name Canon EOS 1D X Canon EOS 550D
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 1D X
Canon EOS 550D
Release Year 2011 2010
Release Date 2011-10-18 2010-02-08
MSRP 6799 USD 899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 1D X
Canon EOS 550D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 1D X
Canon EOS 550D
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5184 x 3456 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels 18,1 MP 18,7 MP
Image Processor DUAL DIGIC 5+ DIGIC 4
Image
Canon EOS 1D X
Canon EOS 550D
ISO Range 100 - 51200 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 1D X
Canon EOS 550D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 61 9
Lens Mount Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 1D X
Canon EOS 550D
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 3”
Screen dots 1040000 1040000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Clear View II TFT LCD TFT color liquid-crystal LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.76× 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 1D X
Canon EOS 550D
Frames per second 12 fps 3,7 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 13 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 1D X
Canon EOS 550D
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Canon EOS 1D X
Canon EOS 550D
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 1D X
Canon EOS 550D
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Optional with LC-5
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector) Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-E1 and GP-E2
No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 1D X
Canon EOS 550D
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E4N rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E8 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1120 shots N/A
Width 158 mm 129 mm
Height 164 mm 98 mm
Depth 83 mm 62 mm
Weight 1340 gram 510 gram