Canon EOS 7D vs Canon EOS 550D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 7D 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 7D were released 2009 and Canon EOS 550D was released 2010. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 7D 2009
Canon EOS 550D 2010

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 7D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
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

Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Canon EOS 7D has a 18 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 7D 18 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456
Canon EOS 550D 18,7 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

ISO range

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

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 7D 100-12800
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 7D
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 7D can shoot up to 8 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 550D can shoot up to 3,7 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 7D 8
Canon EOS 550D 3,7

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Canon EOS 7D and Canon EOS 550D 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 69% heavier than Canon EOS 550D and its 510 gr (or 1.12 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 7D 860 gr
1.9 lb
Canon EOS 550D 510 gr
1.12 lb

Canon EOS 7D vs Canon EOS 550D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 7D 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 7D
Canon EOS 550D
Name Canon EOS 7D Canon EOS 550D
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 7D
Canon EOS 550D
Release Year 2009 2010
Release Date 2009-09-01 2010-02-08
MSRP 1699 USD 899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 7D
Canon EOS 550D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 7D
Canon EOS 550D
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 5184 x 3456 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels 18 MP 18,7 MP
Image Processor DUAL DIGIC 4 DIGIC 4
Image
Canon EOS 7D
Canon EOS 550D
ISO Range 100 - 12800 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 7D
Canon EOS 550D
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 19 9
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 7D
Canon EOS 550D
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 1040000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor TFT color liquid-crystal LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 1× (0.62× 35mm equiv.) 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 7D
Canon EOS 550D
Frames per second 8 fps 3,7 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters 13 meters
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 7D
Canon EOS 550D
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 7D
Canon EOS 550D
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 7D
Canon EOS 550D
HDMI Output Yes 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 Yes
Optional through GP-E2
No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 7D
Canon EOS 550D
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E8 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 800 shots N/A
Width 148 mm 129 mm
Height 111 mm 98 mm
Depth 74 mm 62 mm
Weight 860 gram 510 gram