Canon EOS 1D Mark IV vs Canon EOS 50D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and Canon EOS 50D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV were released 2009 and Canon EOS 50D was released 2008. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 2009
Canon EOS 50D 2008

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has a "Canon APS-H"-sensor while Canon EOS 50D has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 65 mm
Canon APS-H sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.3
Canon EOS 50D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has a 16,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 50D has 15,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 16,1 MP
15980544 pixels
4896 x 3264
Canon EOS 50D 15,1 MP
15054336 pixels
4752 x 3168

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has a 6 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 50D. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 50D. Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 102400 while Canon EOS 50D has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 50-102400
Canon EOS 50D 100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 50D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 1D Mark IV can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 50D can shoot up to 6,3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 10
Canon EOS 50D 6,3

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Canon EOS 1D Mark IV. Unfortunately Canon EOS 50D does not support recording movies and movie clips.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV weighs 1230 gr (equal to 2.71 lb) which is 50% heavier than Canon EOS 50D and its 822 gr (or 1.81 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 1230 gr
2.71 lb
Canon EOS 50D 822 gr
1.81 lb

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV vs Canon EOS 50D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and Canon EOS 50D, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Canon EOS 50D
Name Canon EOS 1D Mark IV Canon EOS 50D
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Canon EOS 50D
Release Year 2009 2008
Release Date 2009-10-20 2008-08-26
MSRP 4999 USD 1399 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Canon EOS 50D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Canon EOS 50D
Sensor Size APS-H (approx 27.9 x 18.6 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4896 x 3264 pixels 4752 x 3168 pixels
Megapixels 16,1 MP 15,1 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 4 DIGIC 4
Image
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Canon EOS 50D
ISO Range 50 - 102400 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 8 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Canon EOS 50D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 45 9
Lens Mount Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-H Sensor
1.3x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 31 mm
50 mm becomes 65 mm
100 mm becomes 130 mm
200 mm becomes 260 mm
APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Canon EOS 50D
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT LCD TFT liquid-crystal color LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.76× (0.58× 35mm equiv.) 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Canon EOS 50D
Frames per second 10 fps 6,3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 13 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Canon EOS 50D
Video recording Yes No
Video format H.264
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Canon EOS 50D
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Canon EOS 50D
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Optional , Eye-Fi Connected and Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E2
No
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector) Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Canon EOS 50D
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E4 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion BP-511A rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1500 shots 800 shots
Width 156 mm 146 mm
Height 157 mm 108 mm
Depth 80 mm 74 mm
Weight 1230 gram 822 gram