Nikon D3s vs Canon EOS 550D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3s and Canon EOS 550D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D3s is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 550D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D3s 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
Nikon D3s 2009
Canon EOS 550D 2010

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D3s has a "Nikon FX"-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 **
Nikon D3s 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 (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D3s has a 12,1 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
Nikon D3s 12,1 MP
12052992 pixels
4256 x 2832
Canon EOS 550D 18,7 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

Canon EOS 550D has a 49 % larger resolution than Nikon D3s. 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 D3s has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 550D. Nikon D3s has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 102400 while Canon EOS 550D has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D3s 200-102400
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 Nikon D3s
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. Nikon D3s can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 550D can shoot up to 3,7 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3s 11
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 Nikon D3s 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.

Nikon D3s weighs 1240 gr (equal to 2.73 lb) which is 143% heavier than Canon EOS 550D and its 510 gr (or 1.12 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D3s 1240 gr
2.73 lb
Canon EOS 550D 510 gr
1.12 lb

Nikon D3s vs Canon EOS 550D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3s 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
Nikon D3s
Canon EOS 550D
Name Nikon D3s Canon EOS 550D
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D3s
Canon EOS 550D
Release Year 2009 2010
Release Date 2009-10-14 2010-02-08
MSRP 5199 USD 899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D3s
Canon EOS 550D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D3s
Canon EOS 550D
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4256 x 2832 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels 12,1 MP 18,7 MP
Image Processor EXPEED DIGIC 4
Image
Nikon D3s
Canon EOS 550D
ISO Range 200 - 102400 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 + TIFF RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D3s
Canon EOS 550D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 51 9
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier FX (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
Nikon D3s
Canon EOS 550D
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921000 1040000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD TFT color liquid-crystal LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D3s
Canon EOS 550D
Frames per second 11 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 +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D3s
Canon EOS 550D
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format Motion JPEG
MPEG4
H.264
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Nikon D3s
Canon EOS 550D
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D3s
Canon EOS 550D
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Optional
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D3s
Canon EOS 550D
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E8 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 4200 shots N/A
Width 160 mm 129 mm
Height 157 mm 98 mm
Depth 88 mm 62 mm
Weight 1240 gram 510 gram