Canon EOS 500D vs Nikon D700

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 500D and Nikon D700. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 500D is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D700 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 500D were released 2009 and Nikon D700 was released 2008. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 500D 2009
Nikon D700 2008

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 500D has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D700 has a "Nikon FX"-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 500D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Nikon D700 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 500D has a 15,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D700 has 12,1 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
Nikon D700 12,1 MP
12052992 pixels
4256 x 2832

Canon EOS 500D has a 25 % larger resolution than Nikon D700. 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

Nikon D700 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 500D. Nikon D700 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 25600 while Canon EOS 500D has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 500D 100-12800
Nikon D700 200-25600

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 Nikon D700

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 Nikon D700 can shoot up to 8 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 500D 3,4
Nikon D700 8

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Canon EOS 500D. Unfortunately Nikon D700 does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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.

Nikon D700 weighs 1074 gr (equal to 2.37 lb) which is 107% heavier than Canon EOS 500D and its 520 gr (or 1.15 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 500D 520 gr
1.15 lb
Nikon D700 1074 gr
2.37 lb

Canon EOS 500D vs Nikon D700 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 500D and Nikon D700, 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
Nikon D700
Name Canon EOS 500D Nikon D700
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D700
Release Year 2009 2008
Release Date 2009-03-25 2008-07-01
MSRP 1599 USD 2999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D700
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D700
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4752 x 3168 pixels 4256 x 2832 pixels
Megapixels 15,1 MP 12,1 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 4 EXPEED
Image
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D700
ISO Range 100 - 12800 200 - 25600
White Balance Presets 6 12
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
Nikon D700
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Focus Points 9 51
Lens Mount Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

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
FX (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
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D700
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 922000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT color LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.) 0.72×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D700
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 N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
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
Nikon D700
Video recording Yes No
Video format H.264
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D700
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D700
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed) Optional
GPS No Yes
Optional through GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D700
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E5 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 440 shots 1000 shots
Width 129 mm 147 mm
Height 98 mm 123 mm
Depth 62 mm 77 mm
Weight 520 gram 1074 gram