Canon 300D vs 50D

The Canon EOS 300D (called Canon Rebel in some regions) and the Canon EOS 50D are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in August 2003 and August 2008. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The 300D has a resolution of 6.3 megapixels, whereas the 50D provides 15.1 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon 300D		Canon 50D
Digital single lens reflex		Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses		Canon EF mount lenses
6.3 MP, APS-C Sensor		15.1 MP, APS-C Sensor
no Video		no Video
ISO 100-1600		ISO 100-3200 (100-12800)
Optical viewfinder		Optical viewfinder
1.8" LCD, 118k dots		3.0" LCD, 920k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
2.5 shutter flaps per second		6.3 shutter flaps per second
Not weather sealed		Weathersealed body
400 shots per battery charge		800 shots per battery charge
142 x 99 x 72 mm, 649 g		146 x 108 x 74 mm, 822 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 300D and the Canon EOS 50D? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon 300D and the Canon 50D is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon 50D is notably larger (12 percent) than the Canon 300D. Moreover, the 50D is markedly heavier (27 percent) than the 300D. It is noteworthy in this context that the 50D is splash and dust-proof, while the 300D 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. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses. You can compare the optics available in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the 300D gets 400 shots out of its BP-511 battery, while the 50D can take 800 images on a single charge of its BP-511A power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, just use the right or left arrows in the table to switch to the respective camera. Alternatively, you can also navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from the full list of cameras there.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon 300D»	5.6 in	3.9 in	2.8 in	22.9 oz	400	n	Aug 2003	899	-		Canon 300D
	Canon 50D«	5.7 in	4.3 in	2.9 in	29.0 oz	800	Y	Aug 2008	1,299	-		Canon 50D
	Canon 77D« »	5.2 in	3.9 in	3.0 in	19.0 oz	600	n	Feb 2017	899			Canon 77D
	Canon G1 X Mark II« »	4.6 in	2.9 in	2.6 in	19.5 oz	240	n	Feb 2014	799			Canon G1 X Mark II
	Canon 70D« »	5.5 in	4.1 in	3.1 in	26.6 oz	920	Y	Jul 2013	1,199	-		Canon 70D
	Canon 700D« »	5.2 in	3.9 in	3.1 in	20.5 oz	440	n	Mar 2013	649	-		Canon 700D
	Canon 650D« »	5.2 in	3.9 in	3.1 in	20.3 oz	440	n	Jun 2012	849	-		Canon 650D
	Canon G1 X« »	4.6 in	3.2 in	2.6 in	18.8 oz	250	n	Jan 2012	799	-		Canon G1 X
	Canon 60D« »	5.7 in	4.2 in	3.1 in	26.6 oz	1100	Y	Aug 2010	1,399	-		Canon 60D
	Canon 7D« »	5.8 in	4.4 in	2.9 in	30.3 oz	800	Y	Sep 2009	1,699	-		Canon 7D
	Canon 40D« »	5.7 in	4.3 in	2.9 in	29.0 oz	750	n	Aug 2007	1,299	-		Canon 40D
	Canon 30D« »	5.7 in	4.2 in	2.9 in	27.7 oz	750	n	Feb 2006	1,399	-		Canon 30D
	Canon 400D« »	5.0 in	3.3 in	2.6 in	19.6 oz	370	n	Aug 2006	799	-		Canon 400D
	Canon 350D« »	5.0 in	3.7 in	2.5 in	19.0 oz	400	n	Feb 2005	899	-		Canon 350D
	Canon 20D« »	5.7 in	4.2 in	2.8 in	27.2 oz	700	n	Aug 2004	1,499	-		Canon 20D
	Canon 10D« »	5.9 in	4.2 in	3.0 in	30.0 oz	500	n	Feb 2003	1,999	-		Canon 10D
	Nikon D70« »	5.5 in	4.4 in	3.1 in	24.0 oz	400	n	Jan 2004	999	-		Nikon D70
Convert to Metric
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The 300D was launched at a markedly lower price (by 31 percent) than the 50D, 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

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the 50D is 3 percent smaller. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.6. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Technology-wise, the 50D uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 4) than the 300D (DIGIC), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

Despite having a slightly smaller sensor, the 50D offers a higher resolution of 15.1 megapixels, compared with 6.3 MP of the 300D. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 4.69μm versus 7.38μm for the 300D). However, it should be noted that the 50D is much more recent (by 5 years) than the 300D, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

The resolution advantage of the Canon 50D implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 50D for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 23.8 x 15.8 inch or 60.4 x 40.2 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 19 x 12.7 inch or 48.3 x 32.2 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 15.8 x 10.6 inch or 40.2 x 26.8 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon 300D are 15.4 x 10.2 inch or 39 x 26 cm for good quality, 12.3 x 8.2 inch or 31.2 x 20.8 cm for very good quality, and 10.2 x 6.8 inch or 26 x 17.3 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS 300D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS 50D are ISO 100 to ISO 3200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-12800.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. 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 50D has a markedly higher DXO score than the 300D (overall score 8 points higher), which will translate into better image quality. The advantage is based on 0.8 bits higher color depth, 0.6 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.4 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.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The 300D and the 50D 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 viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (95%), but the viewfinder of the 50D has a higher magnification than the one of the 300D (0.59x vs 0.55x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon 300D and Canon 50D along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

One feature that is present on the 50D, but is missing on the 300D is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the 300D and the 50D write their files to Compact Flash cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 300D and Canon EOS 50D and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Canon 50D (unlike the 300D) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the 300D and the 50D have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on eBay. The 300D was replaced by the Canon 350D, while the 50D was followed by the Canon 60D. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon website.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Canon 300D better than the Canon 50D or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS 300D:

• More compact: Is smaller (142x99mm vs 146x108mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 173g or 21 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (31 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in August 2003).

Advantages of the Canon EOS 50D:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (15.1 vs 6.3MP), which boosts linear resolution by 55%.
• Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (8 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
• More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (0.6 EV of extra DR).
• Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (0.4 stops ISO advantage).
• Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC 4 vs DIGIC).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.59x vs 0.55x).
• Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 1.8") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (920k vs 118k dots).
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (6.3 vs 2.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (800 versus 400) out of a single battery charge.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (2.0 vs 1.1).
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• More modern: Reflects 5 years of technical progress since the 300D launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 50D is the clear winner of the contest (16 : 4 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 300D and the Canon 50D place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the 300D and the 50D in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Review Scores

	Camera Model						Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon 300D»	-	+ +	-	o	-	Aug 2003	899	-		Canon 300D
	Canon 50D«	+ +	+ +	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2008	1,299	-		Canon 50D
	Canon 77D« »	-	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2017	899			Canon 77D
	Canon G1 X Mark II« »	+	77/100	4/5	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	799			Canon G1 X Mark II
	Canon 70D« »	+ +	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2013	1,199	-		Canon 70D
	Canon 700D« »	-	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2013	649	-		Canon 700D
	Canon 650D« »	+ +	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2012	849	-		Canon 650D
	Canon G1 X« »	+	76/100	4/5	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2012	799	-		Canon G1 X
	Canon 60D« »	+	79/100	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2010	1,399	-		Canon 60D
	Canon 7D« »	+ +	84/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2009	1,699	-		Canon 7D
	Canon 40D« »	+ +	+ +	4.5/5	o	4.5/5	Aug 2007	1,299	-		Canon 40D
	Canon 30D« »	+ +	+ +	o	o	-	Feb 2006	1,399	-		Canon 30D
	Canon 400D« »	+ +	+ +	o	4.5/5	4/5	Aug 2006	799	-		Canon 400D
	Canon 350D« »	80/100	+ +	o	o	-	Feb 2005	899	-		Canon 350D
	Canon 20D« »	-	+ +	-	o	-	Aug 2004	1,499	-		Canon 20D
	Canon 10D« »	-	+ +	-	o	-	Feb 2003	1,999	-		Canon 10D
	Nikon D70« »	-	+ +	-	o	-	Jan 2004	999	-		Nikon D70
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (-) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

Specifications: Canon 300D vs Canon 50D

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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