Canon EOS 5D Mark IV vs Canon EOS 550D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and Canon EOS 550D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

Canon EOS 550D

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV were released 2016 and Canon EOS 550D was released 2010. That is a 6 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV	2016
Canon EOS 550D	2010

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV has a "Canon Full Frame"-sensor while Canon EOS 550D 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 5D Mark IV	50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS 550D	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 5D Mark IV has a 30 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 550D has 18,7 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera	Megapixels
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV	30 MP 30105600 pixels 6720 x 4480
Canon EOS 550D	18,7 MP 17915904 pixels 5184 x 3456

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV has a 68 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 550D. 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 5D Mark IV has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 550D. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 102400 while Canon EOS 550D has 100 to 12800.

Camera	ISO Range
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV	50-102400
Canon EOS 550D	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 5D Mark IV
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 550D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 550D can shoot up to 3,7 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV	7
Canon EOS 550D	3,7

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and Canon EOS 550D can shoot movies.

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 5D Mark IV weighs 890 gr (equal to 1.96 lb) which is 75% heavier than Canon EOS 550D and its 510 gr (or 1.12 lb).

Camera	Weight
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV	890 gr 1.96 lb
Canon EOS 550D	510 gr 1.12 lb