Canon EOS 550D vs Nikon Z50

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 550D and Nikon Z50. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 550D is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon Z50 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 550D were released 2010 and Nikon Z50 was released 2019. That is a 9 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 550D 2010
Nikon Z50 2019

Type of camera

Canon EOS 550D is a DSLR camera while Nikon Z50 is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 550D has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Nikon Z50 has a "Nikon DX"-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
Nikon Z50 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** 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 550D has a 18,7 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z50 has 21 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
Nikon Z50 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712

Nikon Z50 has a 15 % 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

Nikon Z50 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 550D. Nikon Z50 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Canon EOS 550D has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 550D 100-12800
Nikon Z50 100-51200

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 Nikon Z50

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 Nikon Z50 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 550D 3,7
Nikon Z50 11

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 Nikon Z50 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 550D weighs 510 gr (equal to 1.12 lb) which is 13% heavier than Nikon Z50 and its 450 gr (or 0.99 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 550D 510 gr
1.12 lb
Nikon Z50 450 gr
0.99 lb

Canon EOS 550D vs Nikon Z50 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 550D and Nikon Z50, 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
Nikon Z50
Name Canon EOS 550D Nikon Z50
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 550D
Nikon Z50
Release Year 2010 2019
Release Date 2010-02-08 2019-10-10
MSRP 899 USD 859 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 550D
Nikon Z50
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Canon EOS 550D
Nikon Z50
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5184 x 3456 pixels 5568 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels 18,7 MP 21 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 4 EXPEED 6
Image
Canon EOS 550D
Nikon Z50
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 6 12
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
Nikon Z50
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
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 209
Lens Mount Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

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
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 550D
Nikon Z50
Articulated LCD Fixed Tilting
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 1040000 1040000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type TFT color liquid-crystal LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.) 1.02× (0.68× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 2360000
Photography features
Canon EOS 550D
Nikon Z50
Frames per second 3,7 fps 11 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 13 meters 7 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
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
Nikon Z50
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Canon EOS 550D
Nikon Z50
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 550D
Nikon Z50
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed) Yes (via smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 550D
Nikon Z50
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E8 rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL25 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 320 shots
Width 129 mm 127 mm
Height 98 mm 94 mm
Depth 62 mm 60 mm
Weight 510 gram 450 gram