Canon EOS 50D
Competitors

As well as being compared against other pro DSLRs, the Canon EOS 50D is also often compared to entry-level DSLRs. The Canon EOS 50D's top rivals come from Canon (such as the EOS 60D and the Rebel T2i) and Nikon (such as the D90 and the D5100)

Generally, some of the advantages of the Canon 50D compared to other pro DSLR competitors include: it 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, has slightly less shutter lag (131 ms vs 206 ms) 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), doesn't record movies (none vs 1080p @ 30fps), has significantly less color depth (21.8 bits vs 22.9 bits), slightly smaller viewfinder (0.59x vs 0.71x) and it's body is not weather sealed.

Canon EOS 60D 2 years newer $848 - $1,304 (body only) $1,177 - $1,342 18-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 60D (vs the 50D) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Better color depth: 22.2 bits vs 21.8 bits Has a flip-out screen Significant disadvantages of the 60D (vs the 50D) Significantly more shutter lag: 253 ms vs 131 ms common strengths of the 60D and 50D Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 162 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 145x106x79 mm vs Professional size 146x108x74 mm Supports RAW
	Compare the 60D vs the 50D
Canon EOS 7D 1 year newer $1,549 - $1,821 (body only) $1,620 - $1,849 18-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 7D (vs the 50D) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Better color depth: 22 bits vs 21.8 bits Weather sealed Significant disadvantages of the 7D (vs the 50D) None found common strengths of the 7D and 50D Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 162 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 148x111x74 mm vs Professional size 146x108x74 mm Supports RAW
	Compare the 7D vs the 50D
Canon EOS 40D 1 year older $650 (body only)	Significant advantages of the 40D (vs the 50D) Better color depth: 22.1 bits vs 21.8 bits Significant disadvantages of the 40D (vs the 50D) Much lower resolution screen: 230k dots vs 920k dots Slower autofocus: Contrast detection vs Phase detection Lower true resolution: 10.1 MP vs 15.1 MP common strengths of the 40D and 50D Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 162 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 146x108x74 mm vs Professional size 146x108x74 mm Supports RAW
	Compare the 40D vs the 50D
Canon EOS 5D Mark II similar age $2,130 (body only) $2,875 - $2,999 24-105mm lens	Significant advantages of the 5D Mark II (vs the 50D) Better color depth: 23.7 bits vs 21.8 bits Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 1,815 ISO vs 696 ISO Significantly better image quality: 79.0 vs 63.0 Significant disadvantages of the 5D Mark II (vs the 50D) No built-in flash common strengths of the 5D Mark II and 50D Fairly small: Professional size 152x114x75 mm vs Professional size 146x108x74 mm Supports RAW Thin: 3" vs 2.9"
	Compare the 5D Mark II vs the 50D
Canon EOS 5D 3 years older $3,991 - $4,273 24-105mm lens	Significant advantages of the 5D (vs the 50D) Better color depth: 22.9 bits vs 21.8 bits Much larger sensor: Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm Significantly larger viewfinder: 0.71x vs 0.59x Significant disadvantages of the 5D (vs the 50D) 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 50D Fairly small: Professional size 152x113x75 mm vs Professional size 146x108x74 mm Supports RAW Thin: 3" vs 2.9"
	Compare the 5D vs the 50D
Nikon D300 1 year older $1,000 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D300 (vs the 50D) More dynamic range: 12 EV vs 11.4 EV Better color depth: 22.1 bits vs 21.8 bits Many more focus points: 51 vs 9 Significant disadvantages of the D300 (vs the 50D) More shutter lag: 227 ms vs 131 ms common strengths of the D300 and 50D Minimal startup delay: 300 ms vs 300 ms Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 162 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 147x114x74 mm vs Professional size 146x108x74 mm
	Compare the Nikon D300 vs the Canon EOS 50D

Generally, some of the advantages of the Canon 50D compared to entry-level DSLR competitors include: it shoots faster continuously (6.3 fps vs 4 fps), has slightly less startup delay (300 ms vs 1500 ms), has significantly less shutter lag (131 ms vs 238 ms), has significantly more cross-type focus points (9 vs 1) and has a faster max shutter speed (1/8000 of a second vs 1/4000 of a second).

However, on average it is slightly more noisy at high ISO (696 ISO vs 977 ISO), has slightly lower image quality (63.0 vs 73.0), doesn't record movies (none vs 1080p @ 20fps), has significantly less color depth (21.8 bits vs 22.7 bits) and has slightly narrower dynamic range (11.4 EV vs 12.5 EV).

Canon Rebel T2i 1 year newer $544 - $949 (body only) $649 - $867 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T2i (vs the 50D) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Better color depth: 22.1 bits vs 21.8 bits Much smaller: Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm vs Professional size 146x108x74 mm Significant disadvantages of the T2i (vs the 50D) Many fewer cross-type focus points: 1 vs 9 Significantly more shutter lag: 252 ms vs 131 ms Shoots slower: 3.7 fps vs 6.3 fps common strengths of the T2i and 50D High resolution screens: 1,040k dots vs 920k dots Minimal startup delay: 400 ms vs 300 ms Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 162 lenses
	Compare the Rebel T2i vs the EOS 50D
Canon Rebel T3i 2 years newer $619 - $700 (body only) $745 - $1,000 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T3i (vs the 50D) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Better color depth: 22.1 bits vs 21.8 bits Has a flip-out screen Significant disadvantages of the T3i (vs the 50D) Much more startup delay: 1500 ms vs 300 ms Many fewer cross-type focus points: 1 vs 9 Much more shutter lag: 283 ms vs 131 ms common strengths of the T3i and 50D High resolution screens: 1,040k dots vs 920k dots Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 162 lenses
	Compare the Rebel T3i vs the EOS 50D
Nikon D90 similar age $897 (body only) $1,047 55-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D90 (vs the 50D) Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 977 ISO vs 696 ISO Significantly better image quality: 73.0 vs 63.0 Better color depth: 22.7 bits vs 21.8 bits Significant disadvantages of the D90 (vs the 50D) Many fewer cross-type focus points: 1 vs 9 Significantly more shutter lag: 208 ms vs 131 ms Much slower max shutter speed: 1/4000 of a second vs 1/8000 of a second common strengths of the D90 and 50D High resolution screens: 930k dots vs 920k dots Minimal startup delay: 300 ms vs 300 ms Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 162 lenses
	Compare the Nikon D90 vs the Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D5100 2 years newer $500 - $597 (body only) $600 - $697 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D5100 (vs the 50D) Much lower noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 696 ISO Much better image quality: 80.0 vs 63.0 Better color depth: 23.5 bits vs 21.8 bits Significant disadvantages of the D5100 (vs the 50D) Many fewer cross-type focus points: 1 vs 9 Much more shutter lag: 273 ms vs 131 ms Doesn't have a built-in focus motor common strengths of the D5100 and 50D High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 920k dots Minimal startup delay: 500 ms vs 300 ms Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 162 lenses
	Compare the Nikon D5100 vs the Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D7000 2 years newer $1,000 (body only) $1,100 55-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D7000 (vs the 50D) Much lower noise at high ISO: 1,167 ISO vs 696 ISO Much better image quality: 80.0 vs 63.0 Better color depth: 23.5 bits vs 21.8 bits Significant disadvantages of the D7000 (vs the 50D) Significantly more shutter lag: 238 ms vs 131 ms common strengths of the D7000 and 50D High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 920k dots Minimal startup delay: 400 ms vs 300 ms Lots of cross-type focus points: 9 vs 9
	Compare the Nikon D7000 vs the Canon EOS 50D
Canon Rebel T1i 7 months newer $475 - $629 (body only) $549 - $580 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T1i (vs the 50D) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 20fps vs None Much smaller: Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm vs Professional size 146x108x74 mm Much lighter: 520 g vs 822 g Significant disadvantages of the T1i (vs the 50D) Many fewer cross-type focus points: 1 vs 9 Shoots slower: 3.4 fps vs 6.3 fps Shorter battery life: 400 shots vs 640 shots common strengths of the T1i and 50D High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 920k dots Minimal startup delay: 300 ms vs 300 ms Minimal shutter lag: 159 ms vs 131 ms
	Compare the Rebel T1i vs the EOS 50D