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Canon 4000D vs 550D

The Canon EOS 4000D (called Canon T100 in some regions) and the Canon EOS 550D (labelled Canon T2i in some countries) are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in February 2018 and February 2010. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 17.9 megapixels.

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

Headline Specifications
Canon 4000D
versus
Canon 550D
Canon 4000D   Canon 550D
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
17.9 MP – APS-C sensor 17.9 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/30p Video 1080/30p Video
ISO 100-6,400 (100 - 12,800) ISO 100-6,400 (100 - 12,800)
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
2.7" LCD – 230k dots 3.0" LCD – 1040k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3 shutter flaps per second 3.7 shutter flaps per second
500 shots per battery charge440 shots per battery charge
129 x 102 x 77 mm, 436 g 129 x 98 x 62 mm, 530 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 4000D and the Canon EOS 550D? 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.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Canon 4000D and the Canon 550D are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Canon 4000D vs Canon 550D
Compare 4000D versus 550D top
Comparison 4000D or 550D rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon 550D is somewhat smaller (4 percent) than the Canon 4000D. However, the 550D is markedly heavier (22 percent) than the 4000D. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the 4000D nor the 550D are weather-sealed.

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 4000D gets 500 shots out of its Canon LP-E10 battery, while the 550D can take 440 images on a single charge of its Canon LP-E8 power pack.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 4000D 129 mm 102 mm 77 mm 436 g 500 n Feb 2018 399 amazon.com
2.
 
Canon 550D 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 530 g 440 n Feb 2010 699ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 2000D 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 475 g 500 n Feb 2018 449 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon 200D 122 mm 93 mm 70 mm 453 g 650 n Jun 2017 549ebay.com
5.
 
Canon G9 X Mark II 98 mm 58 mm 31 mm 206 g 235 n Jan 2017 529ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 1300D 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 485 g 500 n Mar 2016 449ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 750D 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 555 g 440 n Feb 2015 749ebay.com
8.
 
Canon 1200D 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 480 g 500 n Feb 2014 449ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 100D 117 mm 91 mm 69 mm 407 g 380 n Mar 2013 549ebay.com
10.
 
Canon 700D 133 mm 100 mm 79 mm 580 g 440 n Mar 2013 649ebay.com
11.
 
Canon 650D 133 mm 100 mm 79 mm 575 g 440 n Jun 2012 849ebay.com
12.
 
Canon 600D 133 mm 100 mm 80 mm 570 g 440 n Feb 2011 599ebay.com
13.
 
Canon 1100D 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 495 g 700 n Feb 2011 449ebay.com
14.
 
Canon 500D 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 520 g 400 n Mar 2009 799ebay.com
15.
 
Canon 1000D 126 mm 98 mm 65 mm 502 g 500 n Jun 2008 449ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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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 4000D was launched at a markedly lower price (by 43 percent) than the 550D, 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.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

In terms of chip-set technology, the 4000D uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 4+) than the 550D (DIGIC 4), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

Canon 4000D and Canon 550D sensor measures

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 17.9 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the 4000D and the 550D have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the 4000D is much more recent (by 8 years) than the 550D, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time.

The Canon EOS 4000D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-12800. The Canon EOS 550D offers exactly the same ISO settings.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

4000D versus 550D MP

For many 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"). The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon 4000D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.469563
2.
 
Canon 550D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.578466
3.
 
Canon 2000D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.611.9100971
4.
 
Canon 200D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.4104179
5.
 
Canon G9 X Mark II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.912.552265
6.
 
Canon 1300D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.011.778166
7.
 
Canon 750D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.712.091971
8.
 
Canon 1200D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.372463
9.
 
Canon 100D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.811.384363
10.
 
Canon 700D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.268161
11.
 
Canon 650D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.272262
12.
 
Canon 600D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.579365
13.
 
Canon 1100D APS-C 12.2 4272 2848720/30p21.911.075562
14.
 
Canon 500D APS-C 15.1 4752 31681080/20p21.711.566363
15.
 
Canon 1000D APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.010.971962
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, and both provide the same movie specifications (1080/30p).

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The 4000D and the 550D 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 550D has a higher magnification than the one of the 4000D (0.54x vs 0.50x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon 4000D and Canon 550D in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon 4000Doptical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
2.
 
Canon 550Doptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
3.
 
Canon 2000Doptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
4.
 
Canon 200Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
5.
 
Canon G9 X Mark IInone n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 8.2/s Y Y
6.
 
Canon 1300Doptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
7.
 
Canon 750Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
8.
 
Canon 1200Doptical n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
9.
 
Canon 100Doptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.9/s Y n
10.
 
Canon 700Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
11.
 
Canon 650Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
12.
 
Canon 600Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
13.
 
Canon 1100Doptical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
14.
 
Canon 500Doptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.4/s Y n
15.
 
Canon 1000Doptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the 4000D and the 550D write their files to SDXC cards.

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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 4000D and Canon EOS 550D and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon 4000DYmono / mono--mini2.0YY-
2.
 
Canon 550DYstereo / -Y-mini2.0---
3.
 
Canon 2000DYmono / mono--mini2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon 200DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
5.
 
Canon G9 X Mark II-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
6.
 
Canon 1300DYmono / mono--mini2.0YY-
7.
 
Canon 750DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
8.
 
Canon 1200DYmono / mono--mini2.0---
9.
 
Canon 100DYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
10.
 
Canon 700DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
11.
 
Canon 650DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
12.
 
Canon 600DYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
13.
 
Canon 1100DYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
14.
 
Canon 500DYmono / mono--mini2.0---
15.
 
Canon 1000DY- / ----2.0---
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It is notable that the 4000D offers wifi support, while the 550D does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

The 4000D is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Canon. In contrast, the 550D has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the 550D was succeeded by the Canon 600D. Further information on the features and operation of the 4000D and 550D can be found, respectively, in the Canon 4000D Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon 550D Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Canon 4000D or the Canon 550D – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.


Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS 4000D:

  • Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC 4+ vs DIGIC 4).
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 94g or 18 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (500 versus 440) on a single battery charge.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (43 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 8 years of technical progress since the 550D launch.


Advantages of the Canon EOS 550D:

  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.54x vs 0.50x).
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.7") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 230k dots).
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (3.7 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in February 2010).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 4000D comes out slightly ahead of the 550D (7 : 6 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

4000D 07:06 550D

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 4000D and the Canon 550D 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 specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the 4000D or the 550D perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). 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.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 4000D2.5/5o3/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 399 amazon.com
2.
 
Canon 550D..+ +..77/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2010 699ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 2000D3/5o3.5/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 449 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon 200D4/5+ +4/578/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2017 549ebay.com
5.
 
Canon G9 X Mark II4/5..4/575/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2017 529ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 1300D4/5o4/573/1004/54/5 Mar 2016 449ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 750D5/5....75/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 749ebay.com
8.
 
Canon 1200D3/5+....4/54.5/5 Feb 2014 449ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 100D4/5+..78/1004/54/5 Mar 2013 549ebay.com
10.
 
Canon 700D......76/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2013 649ebay.com
11.
 
Canon 650D4/5+ +..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2012 849ebay.com
12.
 
Canon 600D3/5o..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2011 599ebay.com
13.
 
Canon 1100D..80/100..69/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2011 449ebay.com
14.
 
Canon 500D..+ +..74/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2009 799ebay.com
15.
 
Canon 1000D..82/100..+ +3.5/54.5/5 Jun 2008 449ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, 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.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Canon 4000D vs Canon 550D

    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.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon 4000D Canon 550D
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Canon EF mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
    Launch Date February 2018 February 2010
    Launch Price USD 399 USD 699
    Sensor Specs Canon 4000D Canon 550D
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 22.3 x 14.9 mm 22.3 x 14.9 mm
    Sensor Area 332.27 mm2 332.27 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 26.8 mm 26.8 mm
    Crop Factor 1.6x 1.6x
    Sensor Resolution 17.9 Megapixels 17.9 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5184 x 3456 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.31 μm 4.31 μm
    Pixel Density 5.39 MP/cm2 5.39 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/30p Video 1080/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 6,400 ISO 100 - 6,400 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 12,800 ISO 100 - 12,800 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 4+ DIGIC 4
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 63 66
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 21.9 22.1
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11.4 11.5
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 695 784
    Screen Specs Canon 4000D Canon 550D
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95% 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.50x 0.54x
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 2.7inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 230k dots 1040k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Canon 4000D Canon 550D
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 3 shutter flaps/s 3.7 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations100 000 actuations
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Canon 4000D Canon 550D
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in no NFC
    Body Specs Canon 4000D Canon 550D
    Battery Type Canon LP-E10 Canon LP-E8
    Battery Life (CIPA)500 shots per charge440 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 129 x 102 x 77 mm
    (5.1 x 4.0 x 3.0 in)
    129 x 98 x 62 mm
    (5.1 x 3.9 x 2.4 in)
    Camera Weight 436 g (15.4 oz) 530 g (18.7 oz)
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