A potelyt.com – Photography & Imaging Resources
ad

When you use links on apotelyt.com to buy products,
the site may earn a commission.

PW

Canon 550D vs 1000D

The Canon EOS 550D (called Canon T2i in some regions) and the Canon EOS 1000D (labelled Canon XS in some countries) are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in February 2010 and June 2008. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The 550D has a resolution of 17.9 megapixels, whereas the 1000D provides 10.1 MP.

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

Headline Specifications
Canon 550D
versus
Canon 1000D
Canon 550D   Canon 1000D
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
17.9 MP – APS-C sensor 10.1 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/30p Video no Video
ISO 100-6,400 (100 - 12,800) ISO 100-800 (100 - 1,600)
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots 2.5" LCD – 230k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3.7 shutter flaps per second 3 shutter flaps per second
440 shots per battery charge500 shots per battery charge
129 x 98 x 62 mm, 530 g 126 x 98 x 65 mm, 502 g
logo
Check 550D offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check 1000D offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 550D and the Canon EOS 1000D? 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.

ad

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Canon 550D and the Canon 1000D are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. 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 dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Canon 550D vs Canon 1000D
Compare 550D versus 1000D top
Comparison 550D or 1000D rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon 1000D is somewhat smaller (2 percent) than the Canon 550D. Moreover, the 1000D is markedly lighter (5 percent) than the 550D. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the 550D nor the 1000D 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 550D gets 440 shots out of its Canon LP-E8 battery, while the 1000D can take 500 images on a single charge of its Canon LP-E5 power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. 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.

scroll hint
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 550D 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 530 g 440 n Feb 2010 699ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 1000D 126 mm 98 mm 65 mm 502 g 500 n Jun 2008 449ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 4000D 129 mm 102 mm 77 mm 436 g 500 n Feb 2018 399 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon 1300D 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 485 g 500 n Mar 2016 449ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 750D 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 555 g 440 n Feb 2015 749ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 760D 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 565 g 440 n Feb 2015 649ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 1200D 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 480 g 500 n Feb 2014 449ebay.com
8.
 
Canon 700D 133 mm 100 mm 79 mm 580 g 440 n Mar 2013 649ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 650D 133 mm 100 mm 79 mm 575 g 440 n Jun 2012 849ebay.com
10.
 
Canon 600D 133 mm 100 mm 80 mm 570 g 440 n Feb 2011 599ebay.com
11.
 
Canon 1100D 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 495 g 700 n Feb 2011 449ebay.com
12.
 
Canon 500D 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 520 g 400 n Mar 2009 799ebay.com
13.
 
Canon 450D 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 524 g 500 n Jan 2008 799ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D5100 128 mm 97 mm 79 mm 560 g 660 n Apr 2011 749ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
padding

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. 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 1000D was launched at a markedly lower price (by 36 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. 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 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. 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 associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the 1000D is 1 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.

In terms of chip-set technology, the 550D uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 4) than the 1000D (DIGIC 3), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

Canon 550D and Canon 1000D sensor measures

With 17.9MP, the 550D offers a higher resolution than the 1000D (10.1MP), but the 550D has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.31μm versus 5.71μm for the 1000D). However, the 550D is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 7 months) than the 1000D, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels.

The resolution advantage of the Canon 550D implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 550D for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.9 x 17.3 inches or 65.8 x 43.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.7 x 13.8 inches or 52.7 x 35.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.3 x 11.5 inches or 43.9 x 29.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon 1000D are 19.4 x 13 inches or 49.4 x 32.9 cm for good quality, 15.6 x 10.4 inches or 39.5 x 26.3 cm for very good quality, and 13 x 8.6 inches or 32.9 x 21.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS 550D 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 1000D are ISO 100 to ISO 800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-1600.

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.

550D versus 1000D MP

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 review, the 550D has a notably higher overall DXO score than the 1000D (overall score 4 points higher), which gives it an advantage in terms of imaging quality. This advantage is based on 0.1 bits higher color depth, 0.6 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.1 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

scroll hint
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 550D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.578466
2.
 
Canon 1000D APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.010.971962
3.
 
Canon 4000D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.469563
4.
 
Canon 1300D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.011.778166
5.
 
Canon 750D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.712.091971
6.
 
Canon 760D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.612.091570
7.
 
Canon 1200D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.372463
8.
 
Canon 700D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.268161
9.
 
Canon 650D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.272262
10.
 
Canon 600D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.579365
11.
 
Canon 1100D APS-C 12.2 4272 2848720/30p21.911.075562
12.
 
Canon 500D APS-C 15.1 4752 31681080/20p21.711.566363
13.
 
Canon 450D APS-C 12.2 4272 2848none21.910.869261
14.
 
Nikon D5100 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.513.6118380
padding

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The 550D indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the 1000D does not. The highest resolution format that the 550D can use is 1080/30p.

ad

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The 550D and the 1000D 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 1000D (0.54x vs 0.51x), 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 550D, the Canon 1000D, and comparable cameras.

scroll hint
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 550Doptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
2.
 
Canon 1000Doptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon 4000Doptical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
4.
 
Canon 1300Doptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
5.
 
Canon 750Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon 760Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
7.
 
Canon 1200Doptical n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
8.
 
Canon 700Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
9.
 
Canon 650Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
10.
 
Canon 600Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
11.
 
Canon 1100Doptical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
12.
 
Canon 500Doptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.4/s Y n
13.
 
Canon 450Doptical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
14.
 
Nikon D5100optical n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

The 550D writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the 1000D uses SDHC cards.

ad

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 550D and Canon EOS 1000D and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

scroll hint
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 550DYstereo / -Y-mini2.0---
2.
 
Canon 1000DY- / ----2.0---
3.
 
Canon 4000DYmono / mono--mini2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon 1300DYmono / mono--mini2.0YY-
5.
 
Canon 750DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
6.
 
Canon 760DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
7.
 
Canon 1200DYmono / mono--mini2.0---
8.
 
Canon 700DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
9.
 
Canon 650DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
10.
 
Canon 600DYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
11.
 
Canon 1100DYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
12.
 
Canon 500DYmono / mono--mini2.0---
13.
 
Canon 450DY- / ---mini2.0---
14.
 
Nikon D5100Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
padding

Both the 550D and the 1000D have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The 1000D was replaced by the Canon 1100D, while the 550D was followed by the Canon 600D. Further information on the features and operation of the 550D and 1000D can be found, respectively, in the Canon 550D Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon 1000D Manual.

ad

Review summary

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Canon 550D or the Canon 1000D – 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.


Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS 550D:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (17.9 vs 10.1MP) with a 33% higher linear resolution.
  • Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (4 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
  • More dynamic range: Captures a larger spectrum of light and dark details (0.6 EV of extra DR).
  • Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC 4 vs DIGIC 3).
  • Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 1080/30p movies.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.54x vs 0.51x).
  • 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 (1040k vs 230k dots).
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (3.7 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year and 7 months after the 1000D).


Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS 1000D:

  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (500 versus 440) out of a single battery charge.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (36 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in June 2008).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 550D is the clear winner of the match-up (10 : 3 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. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

550D 10:03 1000D

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 550D and the Canon 1000D 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 partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the 550D or the 1000D. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular 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.

scroll hint
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 550D..+ +..77/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2010 699ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 1000D..82/100..+ +3.5/54.5/5 Jun 2008 449ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 4000D2.5/5o3/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 399 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon 1300D4/5o4/573/1004/54/5 Mar 2016 449ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 750D5/5....75/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 749ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 760D5/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 649ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 1200D3/5+....4/54.5/5 Feb 2014 449ebay.com
8.
 
Canon 700D......76/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2013 649ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 650D4/5+ +..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2012 849ebay.com
10.
 
Canon 600D3/5o..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2011 599ebay.com
11.
 
Canon 1100D..80/100..69/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2011 449ebay.com
12.
 
Canon 500D..+ +..74/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2009 799ebay.com
13.
 
Canon 450D..+ +..+ +4/54.5/5 Jan 2008 799ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D51005/5+ +..76/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2011 749ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

logo
Check 550D offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check 1000D offers at
ebay.com

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 your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

~
    loader
    ad

    Specifications: Canon 550D vs Canon 1000D

    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 550D Canon 1000D
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Canon EF mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
    Launch Date February 2010 June 2008
    Launch Price USD 699 USD 449
    Sensor Specs Canon 550D Canon 1000D
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 22.3 x 14.9 mm 22.2 x 14.8 mm
    Sensor Area 332.27 mm2 328.56 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 26.8 mm 26.7 mm
    Crop Factor 1.6x 1.6x
    Sensor Resolution 17.9 Megapixels 10.1 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5184 x 3456 pixels 3888 x 2592 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.31 μm 5.71 μm
    Pixel Density 5.39 MP/cm2 3.07 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/30p Video no Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 6,400 ISO 100 - 800 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 12,800 ISO 100 - 1,600 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 4 DIGIC 3
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 66 62
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.1 22
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11.5 10.9
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 784 719
    Screen Specs Canon 550D Canon 1000D
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95% 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.54x 0.51x
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 2.5inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots 230k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Canon 550D Canon 1000D
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 3.7 shutter flaps/s 3 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations100 000 actuations
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDHC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Canon 550D Canon 1000D
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI no HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port no MIC socket
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Canon 550D Canon 1000D
    Battery Type Canon LP-E8 Canon LP-E5
    Battery Life (CIPA)440 shots per charge500 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 129 x 98 x 62 mm
    (5.1 x 3.9 x 2.4 in)
    126 x 98 x 65 mm
    (5.0 x 3.9 x 2.6 in)
    Camera Weight 530 g (18.7 oz) 502 g (17.7 oz)
    logo
    Check 550D offers at
    ebay.com
    logo
    Check 1000D offers at
    ebay.com

    Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

    You are here Home  »  CAM-parator  »  Canon 550D vs Canon 1000D