Canon 300D versus Canon 50D

The Canon EOS 300D (called Canon Rebel in some regions) and the Canon EOS 50D are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, 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 megapixel, whereas the 50D provides 15.1 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 300D vs Canon 50D

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon 300D and the Canon 50D. 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. You can also toggle the display 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 300D – 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 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 find an overview of suitable optics 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 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 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: Canon 300D vs Canon 50D

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.

Despite having a slightly smaller sensor, the 50D offers a higher resolution of 15.1 megapixel, compared with 6.3 MP of the 300D. This megapixel 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.

For most cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). 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 adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Feature comparison: Canon 300D vs Canon 50D

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 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. The full specs-sheets can be found in the camera manual or, for example, in the dpreview camera hub.

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.

Review summary: Canon 300D vs Canon 50D

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).
• Easier setting verification: Has 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 (8000/sec vs 4000/sec) 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.
• More modern: Reflects 5 years of technical progress since the 300D launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 50D is the clear winner of the contest (12 : 4 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 the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the 300D or the 50D. 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 table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog). You can find the full text of the reviews by clicking on the site logo in the table header.

Review scores
Camera							Camera Launch (year)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (amazon)	Used Price (ebay)
	Canon 300D (⇒ rgt)	-	HiRec	-	reviewed	-	2003	899	discont.	check
	Canon 50D (⇒ lft)	90/100 HiRec	HiRec	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	2008	1,299	discont.	check
	Canon 77D (⇒ lft | rgt)	..	82/100 Silver	4.5/5	4.5/5	4/5	2017	899	latest	check
	Canon 7D II (⇒ lft | rgt)	Rec	84/100 Silver	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	2014	1,799	latest	check
	Canon G1 X Mark II (⇒ lft | rgt)	Rec	77/100 Silver	4/5	4/5	4.5/5	2014	799	latest	check
	Canon 700D (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	76/100 Silver	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	2013	649	discont.	check
	Canon 70D (⇒ lft | rgt)	HiRec	83/100 Gold	4.5/5	4.5/5	5/5	2013	1,199	discont.	check
	Canon G1 X (⇒ lft | rgt)	79/100 Rec	76/100 Silver	4/5	4/5	4.5/5	2012	799	discont.	check
	Canon 650D (⇒ lft | rgt)	HiRec	77/100 Silver	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	2012	849	discont.	check
	Canon 60D (⇒ lft | rgt)	87/100 Rec	79/100 Silver	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	2010	1,399	discont.	check
	Canon 7D (⇒ lft | rgt)	93/100 HiRec	84/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	2009	1,699	discont.	check
	Canon 40D (⇒ lft | rgt)	90/100 HiRec	HiRec	4.5/5	reviewed	4.5/5	2007	1,299	discont.	check
	Canon 400D (⇒ lft | rgt)	85/100 HiRec	HiRec	reviewed	4.5/5	4/5	2006	799	discont.	check
	Canon 350D (⇒ lft | rgt)	80/100	HiRec	reviewed	reviewed	-	2005	899	discont.	check
	Canon 20D (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	HiRec	-	reviewed	-	2004	1,499	discont.	check
	Canon 10D (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	HiRec	-	reviewed	-	2003	1,999	discont.	check
	Nikon D70 (⇒ lft | rgt)	-	HiRec	-	reviewed	-	2004	999	discont.	check

The above review scores should be interpreted 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. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool. If you do not see the camera that you are looking for, please send me an email, and I will try to locate and add the respective data to the application.

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