Canon EOS 500D
Competitors

As well as being compared against other entry-level DSLRs, the Canon EOS 500D is also often compared to pro DSLRs, mirrorless and super zooms. The Canon EOS 500D's top rivals come from Canon (such as the EOS 550D and the EOS 1100D) and Nikon (such as the D3100 and the D5100)

Generally, some of the advantages of the Canon 500D compared to other entry-level DSLR competitors include: it records higher quality movies (1080p @ 20fps vs 720p @ 30fps), has a slightly higher resolution screen (920k dots vs 230k dots), has slightly less startup delay (300 ms vs 1500 ms), has significantly less shutter lag (159 ms vs 252 ms) and is slightly smaller (prosumer size 129x98x62 mm vs prosumer size 127x96x78 mm).

However, on average it is slightly more noisy at high ISO (663 ISO vs 919 ISO), has slightly lower image quality (63.0 vs 67.0), has significantly less color depth (21.7 bits vs 22.5 bits), doesn't record movies in 24p and doesn't have a screen which flips out.

Canon EOS 550D 10 months newer $704 - $916 (body only) $731 - $874 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the 550D (vs the 500D) Better color depth: 22.1 bits vs 21.7 bits Has an external mic jack Supports 24p Significant disadvantages of the 550D (vs the 500D) Significantly more shutter lag: 252 ms vs 159 ms common strengths of the 550D and 500D Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 20fps High resolution screens: 1,040k dots vs 920k dots Minimal startup delay: 400 ms vs 300 ms
	Compare the 550D vs the 500D
Nikon D3100 1 year newer $500 - $547 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D3100 (vs the 500D) Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 919 ISO vs 663 ISO Better color depth: 22.5 bits vs 21.7 bits Supports 24p Significant disadvantages of the D3100 (vs the 500D) Much lower resolution screen: 230k dots vs 920k dots Significantly more shutter lag: 279 ms vs 159 ms Doesn't have a built-in focus motor common strengths of the D3100 and 500D Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 20fps Minimal startup delay: 400 ms vs 300 ms Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 162 lenses
	Compare the Nikon D3100 vs the Canon EOS 500D
Canon EOS 1100D 1 year newer $489 - $546 (body only) $546 - $643 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the 1100D (vs the 500D) Significantly longer battery life: 800 shots vs 400 shots Significant disadvantages of the 1100D (vs the 500D) Much smaller screen: 2.7" vs 3.0" Much lower resolution screen: 230k dots vs 920k dots Lower resolution movies: 720p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 20fps common strengths of the 1100D and 500D Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 162 lenses Light weight: 459 g vs 520 g Inexpensive: $488.53 vs $539.00
	Compare the 1100D vs the 500D
Canon EOS 600D 1 year newer $835 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the 600D (vs the 500D) Better color depth: 22.1 bits vs 21.7 bits Has an external mic jack Supports 24p Significant disadvantages of the 600D (vs the 500D) Much more startup delay: 1500 ms vs 300 ms Significantly more shutter lag: 283 ms vs 159 ms Much larger: Professional size 133x99x79 mm vs Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm common strengths of the 600D and 500D Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 20fps High resolution screens: 1,040k dots vs 920k dots Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 162 lenses
	Compare the 600D vs the 500D
Nikon D5100 2 years newer $500 - $597 (body only) $600 - $697 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D5100 (vs the 500D) Much lower noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 663 ISO Much better image quality: 80.0 vs 63.0 Better color depth: 23.5 bits vs 21.7 bits Significant disadvantages of the D5100 (vs the 500D) Significantly more shutter lag: 273 ms vs 159 ms Doesn't have a built-in focus motor Significantly larger: Prosumer size 127x96x78 mm vs Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm common strengths of the D5100 and 500D Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 20fps High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 920k dots Minimal startup delay: 500 ms vs 300 ms
	Compare the Nikon D5100 vs the Canon EOS 500D
Canon EOS 450D 1 year older $582 (body only)	Significant advantages of the 450D (vs the 500D) None found Significant disadvantages of the 450D (vs the 500D) Does not take movies: None vs 1080p @ 20fps Much lower resolution screen: 230k dots vs 920k dots Less dynamic range: 10.8 EV vs 11.5 EV common strengths of the 450D and 500D Minimal startup delay: 400 ms vs 300 ms Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 162 lenses Minimal shutter lag: 160 ms vs 159 ms
	Compare the 450D vs the 500D

Generally, some of the advantages of the Canon 500D compared to pro DSLR competitors include: it records higher quality movies (1080p @ 20fps vs none), has a slightly larger screen (3.0" vs 2.5"), has a slightly higher resolution screen (920k dots vs 230k dots), lets you preview your photos on the screen and uses fast phase detection autofocus (phase detection vs contrast detection).

However, on average it has slightly lower image quality (63.0 vs 71.0), has significantly less color depth (21.7 bits vs 22.9 bits), slightly smaller viewfinder (0.54x vs 0.71x), it's body is not weather sealed and doesn't record movies in 24p.

Canon EOS 60D 1 year newer $848 - $1,304 (body only) $1,177 - $1,342 18-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 60D (vs the 500D) Better color depth: 22.2 bits vs 21.7 bits Has an external mic jack Supports 24p Significant disadvantages of the 60D (vs the 500D) More shutter lag: 253 ms vs 159 ms Much thicker: 3.1" vs 2.4" Larger: Professional size 145x106x79 mm vs Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm common strengths of the 60D and 500D Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 162 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 145x106x79 mm vs Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm Supports RAW
	Compare the 60D vs the 500D
Canon EOS 7D 5 months newer $1,549 - $1,821 (body only) $1,620 - $1,849 18-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 7D (vs the 500D) Better color depth: 22 bits vs 21.7 bits Has an external mic jack Supports 24p Significant disadvantages of the 7D (vs the 500D) Larger: Professional size 148x111x74 mm vs Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm Much thicker: 2.9" vs 2.4" Significantly heavier: 860 g vs 520 g common strengths of the 7D and 500D Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 162 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 148x111x74 mm vs Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm Supports RAW
	Compare the 7D vs the 500D
Canon EOS 40D 1 year older $650 (body only)	Significant advantages of the 40D (vs the 500D) Better color depth: 22.1 bits vs 21.7 bits Much faster max shutter speed: 1/8000 of a second vs 1/4000 of a second Significant disadvantages of the 40D (vs the 500D) Much lower resolution screen: 230k dots vs 920k dots Slower autofocus: Contrast detection vs Phase detection Does not take movies: None vs 1080p @ 20fps common strengths of the 40D and 500D Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 162 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 146x108x74 mm vs Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm Supports RAW
	Compare the 40D vs the 500D
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 6 months older $2,130 (body only) $2,875 - $2,999 24-105mm lens	Significant advantages of the 5D Mark II (vs the 500D) Better color depth: 23.7 bits vs 21.7 bits Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 1,815 ISO vs 663 ISO Significantly better image quality: 79.0 vs 63.0 Significant disadvantages of the 5D Mark II (vs the 500D) Significantly larger: Professional size 152x114x75 mm vs Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm Much thicker: 3" vs 2.4" No built-in flash common strengths of the 5D Mark II and 500D Fairly small: Professional size 152x114x75 mm vs Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm Supports RAW Thin: 3" vs 2.4"
	Compare the 5D Mark II vs the 500D
Canon EOS 50D 7 months older $1,282 - $1,300 (body only)	Significant advantages of the 50D (vs the 500D) Much faster max shutter speed: 1/8000 of a second vs 1/4000 of a second Significant disadvantages of the 50D (vs the 500D) Does not take movies: None vs 1080p @ 20fps Much thicker: 2.9" vs 2.4" Heavier: 822 g vs 520 g common strengths of the 50D and 500D Minimal startup delay: 300 ms vs 300 ms Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 162 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 146x108x74 mm vs Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm
	Compare the 50D vs the 500D
Canon EOS 5D 3 years older $3,991 - $4,273 24-105mm lens	Significant advantages of the 5D (vs the 500D) Better color depth: 22.9 bits vs 21.7 bits Significantly larger viewfinder: 0.71x vs 0.54x Much larger sensor: Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm Significant disadvantages of the 5D (vs the 500D) Much smaller screen: 2.5" vs 3.0" Much lower resolution screen: 230k dots vs 920k dots No live view common strengths of the 5D and 500D Fairly small: Professional size 152x113x75 mm vs Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm Supports RAW Thin: 3" vs 2.4"
	Compare the 5D vs the 500D

Generally, some of the advantages of the Canon 500D compared to mirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors include: it has a viewfinder (pentamirror vs none), has much less startup delay (300 ms vs 1900 ms), has significantly less shutter lag (159 ms vs 441 ms), much more lenses available (162 lenses vs 8 lenses) and focuses automatically (phase detection vs contrast detection).

However, on average it is slightly more noisy at high ISO (663 ISO vs 1,079 ISO), has slightly lower image quality (63.0 vs 77.0), has slightly less color depth (21.7 bits vs 23.6 bits), has slightly narrower dynamic range (11.5 EV vs 12.7 EV) and much lower maximum light sensitivity (3,200 ISO vs 25,600 ISO).

Sony NEX-5N 2 years newer $598 - $600 (body only) $698 - $700 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-5N (vs the 500D) Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 1,079 ISO vs 663 ISO Better maximum light sensitivity: 25,600 ISO vs 3,200 ISO Significantly better image quality: 77.0 vs 63.0 Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5N (vs the 500D) Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 162 lenses Much more startup delay: 1900 ms vs 300 ms No viewfinder: None vs Pentamirror common strengths of the NEX-5N and 500D Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 60fps vs 1080p @ 20fps High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 920k dots Great battery life: 460 shots vs 400 shots
	Compare the Sony NEX-5N vs the Canon EOS 500D
Sony Alpha NEX-5 1 year newer $569 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-5 (vs the 500D) Has a flip-out screen Has in-camera HDR Can create panoramas in-camera Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5 (vs the 500D) Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 162 lenses Many fewer cross-type focus points: 0 vs 1 No viewfinder: None vs Pentamirror common strengths of the NEX-5 and 500D Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 20fps High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 920k dots Minimal startup delay: 1000 ms vs 300 ms
	Compare the Sony Alpha NEX-5 vs the Canon EOS 500D

Generally, some of the advantages of the Canon 500D compared to super zoom competitors include: it has a slightly larger screen (3.0" vs 2.7"), has a significantly higher resolution screen (920k dots vs 230k dots), is slightly smaller (prosumer size 129x98x62 mm vs professional size 123x92x108 mm), takes much higher resolution photos (15.1 MP vs 9.7 MP) and has a much larger sensor (APS-C 22.3x14.9mm vs 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm).

However, on average it doesn't record high-speed movies (none vs 240 fps), doesn't have image stabilization (none vs lens), doesn't record movies in 24p, doesn't shoot as fast continuously (3.4 fps vs 10.3 fps) and doesn't have a screen which flips out.

Canon Powershot SX40 2 years newer $347 - $380	Significant advantages of the SX40 (vs the 500D) Image stabilization: Lens vs None Has a flip-out screen Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significant disadvantages of the SX40 (vs the 500D) Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm Much lower true resolution: 9.7 MP vs 15.1 MP Much lower resolution screen: 230k dots vs 920k dots common strengths of the SX40 and 500D Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 20fps Better sensor types: CMOS vs CMOS Support external flash
	Compare the Powershot SX40 vs the EOS 500D
Nikon Coolpix P510 2 years newer $397 - $400	Significant advantages of the P510 (vs the 500D) Image stabilization: Lens vs None Has a flip-out screen Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significant disadvantages of the P510 (vs the 500D) Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm Much lower true resolution: 9.7 MP vs 15.1 MP Slower autofocus: Contrast detection vs Phase detection common strengths of the P510 and 500D Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 20fps Very high resolution screens: 921k dots vs 920k dots Better sensor types: CMOS vs CMOS
	Compare the Nikon Coolpix P510 vs the Canon EOS 500D