550D vs 5D MKII - Key Differences

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

03/22/2012 06:43:12 PM · #1

Why is 5D so much better than 550D? (question from another thread)

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

03/22/2012 06:49:49 PM · #2

FF vs Crop is the main one.... and lotsa other ones.

5D3 is what I was waiting for (FF with great AF by all accounts) but it's WAY out of what I can pay.... so happy enough with the 7D I pulled the trigger on last year and hey I kept the 20D 5 years, so 7's going to have to do that as well.....

.... Pardon the hissy fit in the background... I waaaant my FF back (have not been able to swing FF on the newer ones and leary of no MA on the classic 5D... although maybe for the right price).

Judi

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

03/22/2012 07:03:53 PM · #3

Originally posted by MargaretN:

Why is 5D so much better than 550D? (question from another thread)

I was referring to the discussion in this thread!

03/22/2012 07:14:21 PM · #4

I know but then only Robert gave me some specific good reasons for upgrade. I was hoping somebody else with experience in both could add to that.

There is a lot of excitement about the gear on these threads but not many specific examples of why the one is better than the other.

Darkpixel

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

03/22/2012 07:22:59 PM · #5

This is for me the best web comparing cameras. I hope this helps you ;-)
//snapsort.com/compare/Canon_EOS_500D-vs-Canon_EOS_5D_Mark_II

Judi

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

03/22/2012 07:24:40 PM · #6

5D MkIII

Higher ISO
Extreme water resistance (only camera used in sleet conditions in Antartica), if water does enter the body it is flushed away from the electronics
Extra 2 fps but ability to take more consectuive images before buffering delay
If you choose to explore the videography side than specialised company have loads of accessories for this camera
War horse was shot entirely on 5's and 7's. As Spielberg said, if you are not using these for film work than you are not using the best available.

And that is just for starters.

Sure you may just need a light everyday camera, then go for the lower ranges, but if you are looking to go further or get better quality..than there is no comparison.

03/22/2012 07:42:30 PM · #7

Originally posted by Darkpixel:

This is for me the best web comparing cameras. I hope this helps you ;-)
//snapsort.com/compare/Canon_EOS_500D-vs-Canon_EOS_5D_Mark_II

Thanks. 550D is not the same as 500D.

03/22/2012 07:48:05 PM · #8

Originally posted by Judi:

You mean 5D MKII, not MKIII? Water resistance would be useful. Although I had more problems keeping the lens clear than getting any water problem on 550D when I took some photos in the heavy snow conditions recently.

I am not interested in video at all. No intention to shoot feature movies :)

Judi

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

03/22/2012 08:04:34 PM · #9

Originally posted by MargaretN:

Originally posted by Judi:
5D MkIII

Higher ISO
Extreme water resistance (only camera used in sleet conditions in Antartica), if water does enter the body it is flushed away from the electronics
Extra 2 fps but ability to take more consectuive images before buffering delay
If you choose to explore the videography side than specialised company have loads of accessories for this camera
War horse was shot entirely on 5's and 7's. As Spielberg said, if you are not using these for film work than you are not using the best available.

And that is just for starters.

Sure you may just need a light everyday camera, then go for the lower ranges, but if you are looking to go further or get better quality..than there is no comparison.

You mean 5D MKII, not MKIII? Water resistance would be useful. Although I had more problems keeping the lens clear than getting any water problem on 550D when I took some photos in the heavy snow conditions recently.

I am not interested in video at all. No intention to shoot feature movies :)

Then you would be better off with the 550D!

AllenP

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

03/22/2012 08:12:45 PM · #10

margaret, Image quality is the bottom line here. I have never owned a 550D, however I have both the 5D and 5D Mark II and I have seen before my own eyes how their image qualities are different. I thought 5D was a great camera and it is but my opinion changed as soon as I started shooting with a 5D Mark II. To me the difference is huge, I get so much more dynamic range and so much less noise with Mark II. Even when doing post-processing, my 5D images tend to fall apart quickly where as my 5D Mark II images hold up so much better. I now can absolutely not stand a 5D especially now that I know what 5D Mark II can do. I am expecting a similar improvement with 5D Mark III over 5D Mark II. I think the same thing is true for 550D when compared to 5D mark II and as a matter of fact the difference should be even greater than what it was between 5D and 5D Mark II ... Image quality gets improved even when using the same lens photographing the same subject under the same light. The camera companies charge you more for better image quality, that is what it comes down to after all is said and done. We can go ahead and list what contribute to a better image quality, but what matters is the final result and the more expensive cameras produce better results given the same lens, same lighting, and same post-processing skills, period.

Message edited by author 2012-03-22 20:35:52.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

03/22/2012 08:46:23 PM · #11

Originally posted by AllenP:

Thanks, Allen. When are you getting your MKIII? I will be very interested how you compare the jump in quality from 5D to MKII with MKII to MKIII.

AllenP

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II

03/22/2012 08:58:58 PM · #12

It is on backorder with B&H and it seems like some have already received their shipping notification emails. I haven't yet, but I am expecting to receive it by end of next week. I am too very curious to compare the image quality that Mark III can produce compared to Mark II.

scalvert