Canon EOS 500D vs Canon EOS 7D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 500D and Canon EOS 7D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

These two camera models were both released 2009.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 500D 2009
Canon EOS 7D 2009

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Canon APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 500D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Canon EOS 7D 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

Canon EOS 500D has a 15,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 7D has 18 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 500D 15,1 MP
15054336 pixels
4752 x 3168
Canon EOS 7D 18 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

Canon EOS 7D has a 19 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 500D. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 500D 100-12800
Canon EOS 7D 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 500D
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 7D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 500D can shoot up to 3,4 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 7D can shoot up to 8 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 500D 3,4
Canon EOS 7D 8

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Canon EOS 500D and Canon EOS 7D 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 7D weighs 860 gr (equal to 1.9 lb) which is 65% heavier than Canon EOS 500D and its 520 gr (or 1.15 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 500D 520 gr
1.15 lb
Canon EOS 7D 860 gr
1.9 lb

Canon EOS 500D vs Canon EOS 7D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 500D and Canon EOS 7D, 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 500D
Canon EOS 7D
Name Canon EOS 500D Canon EOS 7D
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 500D
Canon EOS 7D
Release Year 2009 2009
Release Date 2009-03-25 2009-09-01
MSRP 1599 USD 1699 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 500D
Canon EOS 7D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 500D
Canon EOS 7D
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4752 x 3168 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels 15,1 MP 18 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 4 DUAL DIGIC 4
Image
Canon EOS 500D
Canon EOS 7D
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 500D
Canon EOS 7D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 19
Lens Mount Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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 500D
Canon EOS 7D
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT color LCD TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.) 1× (0.62× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 500D
Canon EOS 7D
Frames per second 3,4 fps 8 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 13 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 500D
Canon EOS 7D
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format 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 500D
Canon EOS 7D
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Canon EOS 500D
Canon EOS 7D
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed) Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No Yes
Optional through GP-E2
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 500D
Canon EOS 7D
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E5 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 440 shots 800 shots
Width 129 mm 148 mm
Height 98 mm 111 mm
Depth 62 mm 74 mm
Weight 520 gram 860 gram