• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 15.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-H 518.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Canon 50D advantages over Canon 1D Mark IV

  • Less expensive
    $1399 vs $4999 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 0.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    822g vs 1390g
    Lighter weight

Canon 1D Mark IV advantages over Canon 50D

  • Larger sensor
    APS-H vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,320 vs 696 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1500 vs 640 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    39 vs 9
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    45 vs 9
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.9 fps vs 6.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Samsung GX-20

Canon 50D
Samsung GX-20
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon 1D Mark IV
Samsung GX-20
  • $2795
  • APS-H
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Pentax K-7

Canon 50D
Pentax K-7
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon 1D Mark IV
Pentax K-7
  • $2795
  • APS-H
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Canon 50D
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon 1D Mark IV
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $2795
  • APS-H
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon D3S

Canon 50D
Nikon D3S
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon 1D Mark IV
Nikon D3S
  • $2795
  • APS-H
  • External Mic Jack
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D4

Canon 50D
Nikon D4
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash
  • Lighter weight
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon 1D Mark IV
Nikon D4
  • $2795
  • APS-H
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
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