• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 15.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Canon 50D advantages over Nikon D800

  • Less expensive
    $1399 vs $3000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.3 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Nikon D800 advantages over Canon 50D

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Better color depth
    25.3 vs 21.8 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,853 vs 696 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.4 vs 11.4 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 900 vs 640 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    15 vs 9
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.59x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    36.3 vs 15.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    51 vs 9
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

  • Rugged build; Excellent controls; Extremely high resolution; Dual cards; Surprising high ISO performance.

  • Very large files; Slower frame rate; Custom white balance gives a greenish tint; Battery life lower than D700.

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
Nikon D800
Samsung GX-20
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • 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
Nikon D800
Pentax K-7
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • 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
Nikon D800
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon D800E

Canon 50D
Nikon D800E
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Less shutter lag
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Better color depth
Nikon D800
Nikon D800E
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Nikon D810

Canon 50D
Nikon D810
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Less shutter lag
  • $2293
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Better color depth
Nikon D800
Nikon D810
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2293
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
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