Nikon D3300 vs Canon EOS 550D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3300 and Canon EOS 550D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Nikon D3300

Canon EOS 550D

Manufacturing

Nikon D3300 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 550D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D3300 were released 2014 and Canon EOS 550D was released 2010. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Nikon D3300	2014
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 D3300 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 D3300	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 D3300 has a 24 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 D3300	24 MP 24064000 pixels 6016 x 4000
Canon EOS 550D	18,7 MP 17915904 pixels 5184 x 3456

Nikon D3300 has a 34 % 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

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 12800.

Camera	ISO Range
Nikon D3300	100-12800
Canon EOS 550D	100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 550D has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3300 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3300 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3300
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 D3300 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 550D can shoot up to 3,7 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3300	5
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 Nikon D3300 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 550D weighs 510 gr (equal to 1.12 lb) which is 19% heavier than Nikon D3300 and its 430 gr (or 0.95 lb).

Camera	Weight
Nikon D3300	430 gr 0.95 lb
Canon EOS 550D	510 gr 1.12 lb