Canon EOS 5D vs Canon EOS 550D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5D 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 5D were released 2005 and Canon EOS 550D was released 2010. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 5D 2005
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 5D 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 5D 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

Canon EOS 5D has a 12,7 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 5D 12,7 MP
12719616 pixels
4368 x 2912
Canon EOS 550D 18,7 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

Canon EOS 550D has a 41 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 5D. 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 550D has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 5D. Canon EOS 550D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Canon EOS 5D has 50 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 5D 50-3200
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 5D
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 5D can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 550D can shoot up to 3,7 pictures per seconds.

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

Ability to record movies

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

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Canon EOS 550D. Sadly, the Canon EOS 5D does not support this.

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 weighs 895 gr (equal to 1.97 lb) which is 75% heavier than Canon EOS 550D and its 510 gr (or 1.12 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 5D 895 gr
1.97 lb
Canon EOS 550D 510 gr
1.12 lb

Canon EOS 5D vs Canon EOS 550D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 5D 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 5D
Canon EOS 550D
Name Canon EOS 5D Canon EOS 550D
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 5D
Canon EOS 550D
Release Year 2005 2010
Release Date 2005-08-22 2010-02-08
MSRP 3299 USD 899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 5D
Canon EOS 550D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 5D
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 4368 x 2912 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels 12,7 MP 18,7 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 2 DIGIC 4
Image
Canon EOS 5D
Canon EOS 550D
ISO Range 50 - 3200 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 5D
Canon EOS 550D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 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 5D
Canon EOS 550D
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2,5” 3”
Screen dots 230000 1040000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT liquid-crystal color LCD TFT color liquid-crystal LCD
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 96% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 5D
Canon EOS 550D
Frames per second 3 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
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 5D
Canon EOS 550D
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Canon EOS 5D
Canon EOS 550D
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 5D
Canon EOS 550D
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector) Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 5D
Canon EOS 550D
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion BP-511A rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E8 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 400 shots N/A
Width 152 mm 129 mm
Height 113 mm 98 mm
Depth 75 mm 62 mm
Weight 895 gram 510 gram