Canon EOS R5 vs Canon EOS 550D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS R5 and Canon EOS 550D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS R5 were released 2020 and Canon EOS 550D was released 2010. That is a 10 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS R5 2020
Canon EOS 550D 2010

Type of camera

Canon EOS R5 is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS 550D is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS R5 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 R5 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 R5 has a 45 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 R5 45 MP
44761088 pixels
8192 x 5464
Canon EOS 550D 18,7 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

Canon EOS R5 has a 150 % 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 R5 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 550D. Canon EOS R5 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Canon EOS 550D has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS R5 100-51200
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.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS R5 belongs to the Canon EOS R-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS R

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS R5
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 R5 can shoot up to 20 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 550D can shoot up to 3,7 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS R5 20
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 R5 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 R5 weighs 738 gr (equal to 1.63 lb) which is 45% heavier than Canon EOS 550D and its 510 gr (or 1.12 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS R5 738 gr
1.63 lb
Canon EOS 550D 510 gr
1.12 lb

Canon EOS R5 vs Canon EOS 550D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS R5 and Canon EOS 550D, 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 R5
Canon EOS 550D
Name Canon EOS R5 Canon EOS 550D
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS R5
Canon EOS 550D
Release Year 2020 2010
Release Date 2020-07-09 2010-02-08
MSRP 3899 USD 899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS R5
Canon EOS 550D
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS R5
Canon EOS 550D
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 8192 x 5464 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels 45 MP 18,7 MP
Image Processor DIGIC X DIGIC 4
Image
Canon EOS R5
Canon EOS 550D
ISO Range 100 - 51200 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 8 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift. Works with lens-based IS systems for maximum shake reduction.)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS R5
Canon EOS 550D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 1053 9
Lens Mount Canon RF

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 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 R5
Canon EOS 550D
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 3”
Screen dots 2100000 1040000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD TFT color liquid-crystal LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.76× 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 5760000 N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS R5
Canon EOS 550D
Frames per second 20 fps 3,7 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 13 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS R5
Canon EOS 550D
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.265
H.264
Video resolution 3840 x 2160
4096 x 2160
7680 x 4320
8192 x 4320
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Canon EOS R5
Canon EOS 550D
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS R5
Canon EOS 550D
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac (dual-band) + Bluetooth)
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS R5
Canon EOS 550D
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details LP-E6NH lithium-ion battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E8 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 320 shots N/A
Width 138 mm 129 mm
Height 98 mm 98 mm
Depth 88 mm 62 mm
Weight 738 gram 510 gram