Nikon D3200 vs Canon EOS 50D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3200 and Canon EOS 50D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D3200 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 50D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D3200 were released 2012 and Canon EOS 50D was released 2008. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D3200 2012
Canon EOS 50D 2008

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D3200 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS 50D 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 **
Nikon D3200 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 50D 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 (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D3200 has a 24,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 50D has 15,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D3200 24,2 MP
24064000 pixels
6016 x 4000
Canon EOS 50D 15,1 MP
15054336 pixels
4752 x 3168

Nikon D3200 has a 60 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 50D. 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 50D has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3200. Canon EOS 50D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D3200 has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D3200 100-6400
Canon EOS 50D 100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 50D has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3200 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3200 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3200
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 50D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D3200 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 50D can shoot up to 6,3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3200 4
Canon EOS 50D 6,3

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 Nikon D3200. Unfortunately Canon EOS 50D 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.

Canon EOS 50D weighs 822 gr (equal to 1.81 lb) which is 63% heavier than Nikon D3200 and its 505 gr (or 1.11 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D3200 505 gr
1.11 lb
Canon EOS 50D 822 gr
1.81 lb

Nikon D3200 vs Canon EOS 50D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3200 and Canon EOS 50D, 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
Nikon D3200
Canon EOS 50D
Name Nikon D3200 Canon EOS 50D
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D3200
Canon EOS 50D
Release Year 2012 2008
Release Date 2012-04-19 2008-08-26
MSRP 699 USD 1399 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D3200
Canon EOS 50D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D3200
Canon EOS 50D
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6016 x 4000 pixels 4752 x 3168 pixels
Megapixels 24,2 MP 15,1 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 3 DIGIC 4
Image
Nikon D3200
Canon EOS 50D
ISO Range 100 - 6400 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 12 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D3200
Canon EOS 50D
Autofocus Motor No Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 11 9
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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
Nikon D3200
Canon EOS 50D
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921000 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT LCD with 160° viewing angle TFT liquid-crystal color LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D3200
Canon EOS 50D
Frames per second 4 fps 6,3 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 12 meters 13 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D3200
Canon EOS 50D
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Nikon D3200
Canon EOS 50D
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon D3200
Canon EOS 50D
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Optional with WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter
No
Remote Control Optional
Yes (N3 connector)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D3200
Canon EOS 50D
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion BP-511A rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 540 shots 800 shots
Width 125 mm 146 mm
Height 96 mm 108 mm
Depth 77 mm 74 mm
Weight 505 gram 822 gram