Canon 500D vs 1D Mark II N

The Canon EOS 500D (called Canon T1i in some regions) and the Canon EOS-1D Mark II N are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in March 2009 and August 2005. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on an APS-C (500D) and an APS-H (1D Mark II N) sensor. The 500D has a resolution of 15.1 megapixels, whereas the 1D Mark II N provides 8.2 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Canon 500D		Canon 1D Mark II N
Digital single lens reflex		Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses		Canon EF mount lenses
15.1 MP – APS-C sensor		8.2 MP – APS-H sensor
1080/20p Video		no Video
ISO 100-6,400 (100 - 12,800)		ISO 100-1,600 (50 - 3,200)
Optical viewfinder		Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 920k dots		2.5" LCD – 230k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3.4 shutter flaps per second		8.5 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealed		Weathersealed body
400 shots per battery charge		1200 shots per battery charge
129 x 98 x 62 mm, 520 g		156 x 158 x 80 mm, 1565 g

Check 500D offers at
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 500D and the Canon EOS-1D Mark II N? 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

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon 500D and the Canon 1D Mark II N. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures 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 1D Mark II N is considerably larger (95 percent) than the Canon 500D. Moreover, the 1D Mark II N is substantially heavier (201 percent) than the 500D. It is noteworthy in this context that the 1D Mark II N is splash and dust-proof, while the 500D 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 1D Mark II N) will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, while more compact options are available for the smaller-sensor camera (500D). You can compare the optics available in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the 500D gets 400 shots out of its Canon LP-E5 battery, while the 1D Mark II N can take 1200 images on a single charge of its Canon NP-E3 power pack. As can be seen in the images above, the 1D Mark II N has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power. In order to provide similar functionality for the 500D, Canon provides the BG-E5 vertical grip as an optional accessory (see here on ebay).

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, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Body Specifications

#		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon 500D	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	520 g	400	n	Mar 2009	799	ebay.com
2.		Canon 1D Mark II N	156 mm	158 mm	80 mm	1565 g	1200	Y	Aug 2005	3,999	ebay.com
3.		Canon 750D	132 mm	101 mm	78 mm	555 g	440	n	Feb 2015	749	ebay.com
4.		Canon 760D	132 mm	101 mm	78 mm	565 g	440	n	Feb 2015	649	ebay.com
5.		Canon 1200D	130 mm	100 mm	78 mm	480 g	500	n	Feb 2014	449	ebay.com
6.		Canon G1 X Mark II	116 mm	74 mm	66 mm	553 g	240	n	Feb 2014	799	ebay.com
7.		Canon 700D	133 mm	100 mm	79 mm	580 g	440	n	Mar 2013	649	ebay.com
8.		Canon 650D	133 mm	100 mm	79 mm	575 g	440	n	Jun 2012	849	ebay.com
9.		Canon G1 X	117 mm	81 mm	65 mm	534 g	250	n	Jan 2012	799	ebay.com
10.		Canon 600D	133 mm	100 mm	80 mm	570 g	440	n	Feb 2011	599	ebay.com
11.		Canon 550D	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	530 g	440	n	Feb 2010	699	ebay.com
12.		Canon 5D Mark II	152 mm	114 mm	75 mm	850 g	850	Y	Sep 2008	3,499	ebay.com
13.		Canon 450D	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	524 g	500	n	Jan 2008	799	ebay.com
14.		Canon 1D Mark III	156 mm	157 mm	80 mm	1155 g	2200	Y	Feb 2007	4,499	ebay.com
15.		Canon 1Ds Mark III	150 mm	160 mm	80 mm	1385 g	1800	Y	Aug 2007	7,999	ebay.com
16.		Canon 5D	152 mm	113 mm	75 mm	895 g	400	Y	Aug 2005	3,299	ebay.com
17.		Canon 1D Mark II	156 mm	158 mm	80 mm	1535 g	1200	Y	Jan 2004	4,499	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

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 500D was launched at a markedly lower price (by 80 percent) than the 1D Mark II N, 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. 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. 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 tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon 500D features an APS-C sensor and the Canon 1D Mark II N an APS-H sensor. The sensor area in the 1D Mark II N is 65 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.6 and 1.3. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

In terms of chip-set technology, the 500D uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 4) than the 1D Mark II N (DIGIC II), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Canon 500D offers a higher resolution of 15.1 megapixels, compared with 8.2 MP of the Canon 1D Mark II N. 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 8.17μm for the 1D Mark II N). However, it should be noted that the 500D is much more recent (by 3 years and 7 months) than the 1D Mark II N, 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 500D implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 500D for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 23.8 x 15.8 inches or 60.4 x 40.2 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 19 x 12.7 inches or 48.3 x 32.2 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 15.8 x 10.6 inches or 40.2 x 26.8 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon 1D Mark II N are 17.5 x 11.7 inches or 44.5 x 29.7 cm for good quality, 14 x 9.3 inches or 35.6 x 23.7 cm for very good quality, and 11.7 x 7.8 inches or 29.7 x 19.8 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS 500D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS-1D Mark II N are ISO 100 to ISO 1600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-3200.

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.

For many 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"). The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

#		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Canon 500D	APS-C	15.1	4752	3168	1080/20p	21.7	11.5	663	63
2.		Canon 1D Mark II N	APS-H	8.2	3504	2336	none	22.3	11.2	975	66
3.		Canon 750D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.7	12.0	919	71
4.		Canon 760D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.6	12.0	915	70
5.		Canon 1200D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.9	11.3	724	63
6.		Canon G1 X Mark II	1.5-inch	13.0	4160	3120	1080/30p	21.5	10.8	581	58
7.		Canon 700D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.7	11.2	681	61
8.		Canon 650D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.7	11.2	722	62
9.		Canon G1 X	1.5-inch	14.2	4352	3264	1080/24p	21.7	10.8	644	60
10.		Canon 600D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.1	11.5	793	65
11.		Canon 550D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.1	11.5	784	66
12.		Canon 5D Mark II	Full Frame	21.0	5616	3744	1080/30p	23.7	11.9	1815	79
13.		Canon 450D	APS-C	12.2	4272	2848	none	21.9	10.8	692	61
14.		Canon 1D Mark III	APS-H	10.1	3888	2592	none	22.7	11.7	1078	71
15.		Canon 1Ds Mark III	Full Frame	21.0	5616	3744	none	24.0	12.0	1663	80
16.		Canon 5D	Full Frame	12.7	4368	2912	none	22.9	11.1	1368	71
17.		Canon 1D Mark II	APS-H	8.2	3504	2336	none	22.3	11.1	1003	66

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The 500D indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the 1D Mark II N does not. The highest resolution format that the 500D can use is 1080/20p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The 500D and the 1D Mark II N 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 viewfinder in the 1D Mark II N offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the 500D (95%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. In addition, the viewfinder of the 1D Mark II N has a higher magnification (0.55x vs 0.54x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon 500D, the Canon 1D Mark II N, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

#		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 500D	optical	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.4/s	Y	n
2.		Canon 1D Mark II N	optical	Y	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.5/s	n	n
3.		Canon 750D	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
4.		Canon 760D	optical	Y	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
5.		Canon 1200D	optical	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
6.		Canon G1 X Mark II	optional	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	5.2/s	Y	Y
7.		Canon 700D	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
8.		Canon 650D	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
9.		Canon G1 X	optical	n	3.0 / 922	swivel	n	1/4000s	1.9/s	Y	Y
10.		Canon 600D	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	n	1/4000s	3.7/s	Y	n
11.		Canon 550D	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.7/s	Y	n
12.		Canon 5D Mark II	optical	Y	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/8000s	3.9/s	n	n
13.		Canon 450D	optical	n	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.5/s	Y	n
14.		Canon 1D Mark III	optical	Y	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	10.0/s	n	n
15.		Canon 1Ds Mark III	optical	Y	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	n	n
16.		Canon 5D	optical	Y	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	3.0/s	n	n
17.		Canon 1D Mark II	optical	Y	2.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.3/s	n	n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The 500D has one, while the 1D Mark II N does not. While the built-in flash of the 500D is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The 500D writes its imaging data to SDHC cards, while the 1D Mark II N uses Compact Flash or SD cards. The 1D Mark II N features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the 500D only has one slot.

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 500D and Canon EOS-1D Mark II N and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

#		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon 500D	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Canon 1D Mark II N	Y	- / -	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
3.		Canon 750D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
4.		Canon 760D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
5.		Canon 1200D	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
6.		Canon G1 X Mark II	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
7.		Canon 700D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
8.		Canon 650D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Canon G1 X	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Canon 600D	Y	mono / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Canon 550D	Y	stereo / -	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
12.		Canon 5D Mark II	Y	mono / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Canon 450D	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Canon 1D Mark III	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
15.		Canon 1Ds Mark III	Y	mono / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
16.		Canon 5D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Canon 1D Mark II	Y	- / -	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Canon 1D Mark II N (unlike the 500D) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the 500D and the 1D Mark II N have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The 1D Mark II N was replaced by the Canon 1D Mark III, while the 500D was followed by the Canon 550D. Further information on the features and operation of the 500D and 1D Mark II N can be found, respectively, in the Canon 500D Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon 1D Mark II N Manual.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Canon 500D or the Canon 1D Mark II N – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS 500D:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (15.1 vs 8.2MP) with a 36% higher linear resolution.
• Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC 4 vs DIGIC II).
• Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 1080/20p movies.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.5") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (920k vs 230k dots).
• More compact: Is smaller (129x98mm vs 156x158mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 1045g or 67 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
• Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (2.0 vs 1.1).
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (80 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 3 years and 7 months of technical progress since the 1D Mark II N launch.

Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS-1D Mark II N:

• Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (0.6 stops ISO advantage).
• More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 95%).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.55x vs 0.54x).
• Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (8.5 vs 3.4 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (1200 versus 400) out of a single battery charge.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in August 2005).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 1D Mark II N comes out slightly ahead of the 500D (12 : 11 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 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 500D and the Canon 1D Mark II N 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 the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the 500D or the 1D Mark II N 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 where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear 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.

Expert Camera Reviews

#		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon 500D	..	+ +	..	74/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2009	799	ebay.com
2.		Canon 1D Mark II N	..	..	..	..	..	..	Aug 2005	3,999	ebay.com
3.		Canon 750D	5/5	..	..	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	749	ebay.com
4.		Canon 760D	5/5	+	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	649	ebay.com
5.		Canon 1200D	3/5	+	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	449	ebay.com
6.		Canon G1 X Mark II	3/5	+	..	77/100	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	799	ebay.com
7.		Canon 700D	..	..	..	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2013	649	ebay.com
8.		Canon 650D	4/5	+ +	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2012	849	ebay.com
9.		Canon G1 X	5/5	+	..	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2012	799	ebay.com
10.		Canon 600D	3/5	o	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2011	599	ebay.com
11.		Canon 550D	..	+ +	..	77/100	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2010	699	ebay.com
12.		Canon 5D Mark II	4/5	91/100	..	79/100	4/5	..	Sep 2008	3,499	ebay.com
13.		Canon 450D	..	+ +	..	+ +	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2008	799	ebay.com
14.		Canon 1D Mark III	..	..	..	..	..	..	Feb 2007	4,499	ebay.com
15.		Canon 1Ds Mark III	..	..	..	+ +	4.5/5	..	Aug 2007	7,999	ebay.com
16.		Canon 5D	..	88/100	..	+ +	o	..	Aug 2005	3,299	ebay.com
17.		Canon 1D Mark II	..	..	..	+ +	..	..	Jan 2004	4,499	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

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. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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