Canon 200D versus Canon 5DS

The Canon EOS 200D (called Canon SL2 in some regions) and the Canon EOS 5DS are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in June 2017 and February 2015. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on an APS-C (200D) and a full frame (5DS) sensor. The 200D has a resolution of 24 megapixel, whereas the 5DS provides 50.3 MP. Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their size, their sensors, their features, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison: Canon 200D vs Canon 5DS

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon 200D and the Canon 5DS is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are presented. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter. You can also use the toggle button to switch to a percentage comparison if you prefer that the measures are being expressed in relative terms (in this case, the camera on the left – the 200D – represents 100 percent across all the size and weight measures).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon 5DS is considerably larger (55 percent) than the Canon 200D. Moreover, the 5DS is substantially heavier (105 percent) than the 200D. It is noteworthy in this context that the 5DS is splash and dust-proof, while the 200D does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor (as in the 5DS) will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, while more compact options are available for the smaller-sensor camera (200D). You can find a comprehensive overview of suitable optics in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the 200D gets 650 shots out of its LP-E17 battery, while the 5DS can take 700 images on a single charge of its LP-E6 power pack.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, just select a new right or left comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The 200D was launched at a markedly lower price (by 85 percent) than the 5DS, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison: Canon 200D vs Canon 5DS

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon 200D features an APS-C sensor and the Canon 5DS a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the 5DS is 160 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.6 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

With 50.3MP, the 5DS offers a higher resolution than the 200D (24MP), but the 5DS nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.14μm versus 3.72μm for the 200D) due to its larger sensor. However, the 200D is a much more recent model (by 2 years and 4 months) than the 5DS, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units.

For most cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the 5DS has a markedly higher DXO score than the 200D (overall score 8 points higher), which will translate into better image quality. The advantage is based on 1.1 bits higher color depth, 1 EV of lower dynamic range, and 1.2 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (1080/60p).

Feature comparison: Canon 200D vs Canon 5DS

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The 200D and the 5DS are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon 200D and Canon 5DS in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras. The full specs-sheets can be found in the camera manual or, for example, in the dpreview camera hub.

Both the 200D and the 5DS are current models that good online retailers will have in stock. You can check the latest prices, for example, at amazon. The 200D replaced the earlier Canon 100D, while the 5DS does not have a direct predecessor.

Review summary: Canon 200D vs Canon 5DS

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon 200D and the Canon 5DS? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS 200D:

• More dynamic range: Captures a larger spectrum of light and dark details (1 EV of extra DR).
• More flexible LCD: Has swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
• More compact: Is smaller (122x93mm vs 152x116mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 477g or 51 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (85 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 2 years and 4 months of technical progress since the 5DS launch.

Advantages of the Canon EOS 5DS:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (50.3 vs 24MP), which boosts linear resolution by 45%.
• Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (8 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
• Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (1.1 bits more color depth).
• Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (1.2 stops ISO advantage).
• Easier setting verification: Has a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (8000/sec vs 4000/sec) to freeze action.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in February 2015).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 5DS comes out slightly ahead of the 200D (9 : 8 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the 200D and the 5DS in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites. The full reviews are available, respectively, at cameralabs.com, dpreview.com, ephotozine.com, imaging-resource.com, and photographyblog.com.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other camera comparisons

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