Nikon D1 vs Canon EOS 550D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D1 and Canon EOS 550D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Nikon D1

Canon EOS 550D

Manufacturing

Nikon D1 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 550D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D1 were released 1999 and Canon EOS 550D was released 2010. That is a 11 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Nikon D1	1999
Canon EOS 550D	2010

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D1 has a "Nikon DX"-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 **
Nikon D1	75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
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 (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D1 has a 2,7 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
Nikon D1	2,7 MP 2624000 pixels 2000 x 1312
Canon EOS 550D	18,7 MP 17915904 pixels 5184 x 3456

Canon EOS 550D has a 583 % larger resolution than Nikon D1. 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 550D has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D1. Canon EOS 550D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D1 has 200 to 1600.

Camera	ISO Range
Nikon D1	200-1600
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 Nikon D1
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. Nikon D1 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 550D can shoot up to 3,7 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D1	4,5
Canon EOS 550D	3,7

Ability to record movies

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

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Canon EOS 550D. Sadly, the Nikon D1 does not support this.

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.

Nikon D1 weighs 1200 gr (equal to 2.65 lb) which is 135% heavier than Canon EOS 550D and its 510 gr (or 1.12 lb).

Camera	Weight
Nikon D1	1200 gr 2.65 lb
Canon EOS 550D	510 gr 1.12 lb