Canon EOS 550D vs Canon EOS 5D Mark III

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 550D and Canon EOS 5D Mark III. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS 550D were released 2010 and Canon EOS 5D Mark III was released 2012. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 550D 2010
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 2012

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 550D has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Canon EOS 5D Mark III has a "Canon Full Frame"-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 550D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 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)

Resolution

Canon EOS 550D has a 18,7 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 5D Mark III has 22,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 550D 18,7 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 22,3 MP
22118400 pixels
5760 x 3840

Canon EOS 5D Mark III has a 23 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 550D. 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

Canon EOS 5D Mark III has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 550D. Canon EOS 5D Mark III has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS 550D has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 550D 100-12800
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 100-25600

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 550D
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 550D can shoot up to 3,7 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 5D Mark III can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 550D 3,7
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 6

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Canon EOS 550D and Canon EOS 5D Mark III 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 5D Mark III weighs 950 gr (equal to 2.09 lb) which is 86% heavier than Canon EOS 550D and its 510 gr (or 1.12 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 550D 510 gr
1.12 lb
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 950 gr
2.09 lb

Canon EOS 550D vs Canon EOS 5D Mark III Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 550D and Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 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 550D
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Name Canon EOS 550D Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 550D
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Release Year 2010 2012
Release Date 2010-02-08 2012-03-02
MSRP 899 USD 3499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 550D
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 550D
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5184 x 3456 pixels 5760 x 3840 pixels
Megapixels 18,7 MP 22,3 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 4 DIGIC 5+
Image
Canon EOS 550D
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 25600
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 550D
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
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 61
Lens Mount Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

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
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 550D
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3,2”
Screen dots 1040000 1040000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT color liquid-crystal LCD Clear View II TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.) 0.71×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 550D
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Frames per second 3,7 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
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
Partial
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 550D
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
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 Yes
Storage
Canon EOS 550D
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 550D
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Optional with Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E7
Remote Control Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed) Yes (Remote control with N3 type contact, Wireless Controller LC-5, Remote Controller RC-6)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-E2 unit
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 550D
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E8 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 950 shots
Width 129 mm 152 mm
Height 98 mm 116 mm
Depth 62 mm 76 mm
Weight 510 gram 950 gram