Nikon D3x vs Canon EOS 550D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3x and Canon EOS 550D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Nikon D3x

Canon EOS 550D

Manufacturing

Nikon D3x is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 550D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D3x were released 2008 and Canon EOS 550D was released 2010. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Nikon D3x	2008
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 D3x has a "Nikon FX"-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 D3x	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 (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D3x has a 24,5 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 D3x	24,5 MP 24385536 pixels 6048 x 4032
Canon EOS 550D	18,7 MP 17915904 pixels 5184 x 3456

Nikon D3x has a 36 % 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 550D has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3x. Canon EOS 550D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D3x has 100 to 6400.

Camera	ISO Range
Nikon D3x	100-6400
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 D3x
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 D3x 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 D3x	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 D3x 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 D3x weighs 1260 gr (equal to 2.78 lb) which is 147% heavier than Canon EOS 550D and its 510 gr (or 1.12 lb).

Camera	Weight
Nikon D3x	1260 gr 2.78 lb
Canon EOS 550D	510 gr 1.12 lb