• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 15.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon 50D advantages over Canon SD4000 IS

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.99 vs 1.69 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 640 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.62 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    15.1 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.3 fps vs 3.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SD4000 IS advantages over Canon 50D

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $1399 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    23 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    174g vs 822g
    Lighter weight
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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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 SD4000 IS
Samsung GX-20
  • $288
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

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 SD4000 IS
Pentax K-7
  • $288
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

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 SD4000 IS
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $288
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX75

Canon 50D
Panasonic DMC-FX75
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $210
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon SD4000 IS
Panasonic DMC-FX75
  • $288
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $210
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon ELPH 500 HS

Canon 50D
Canon ELPH 500 HS
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $246
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon SD4000 IS
Canon ELPH 500 HS
  • $288
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $246
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 24p video
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