Nikon D50 vs Canon EOS 1D Mark II

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D50 and Canon EOS 1D Mark II. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D50 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 1D Mark II is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D50 were released 2005 and Canon EOS 1D Mark II was released 2004. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D50 2005
Canon EOS 1D Mark II 2004

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D50 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS 1D Mark II has a "Canon APS-H"-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 D50 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 1D Mark II 65 mm
Canon APS-H sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.3

** 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 D50 has a 6 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 1D Mark II has 8,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D50 6 MP
6016000 pixels
3008 x 2000
Canon EOS 1D Mark II 8,2 MP
8185344 pixels
3504 x 2336

Canon EOS 1D Mark II has a 36 % larger resolution than Nikon D50. 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 1D Mark II has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D50. Canon EOS 1D Mark II has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 3200 while Nikon D50 has 200 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D50 200-1600
Canon EOS 1D Mark II 50-3200

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 D50
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1D Mark II

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D50 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1D Mark II can shoot up to 8,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D50 2,5
Canon EOS 1D Mark II 8,5

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Nikon D50 or Canon EOS 1D Mark II can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.

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 1D Mark II weighs 1565 gr (equal to 3.45 lb) which is 152% heavier than Nikon D50 and its 620 gr (or 1.37 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D50 620 gr
1.37 lb
Canon EOS 1D Mark II 1565 gr
3.45 lb

Nikon D50 vs Canon EOS 1D Mark II Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D50 and Canon EOS 1D Mark II, 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
Nikon D50
Canon EOS 1D Mark II
Name Nikon D50 Canon EOS 1D Mark II
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D50
Canon EOS 1D Mark II
Release Year 2005 2004
Release Date 2005-04-20 2004-01-29
MSRP 799 USD 4499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D50
Canon EOS 1D Mark II
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D50
Canon EOS 1D Mark II
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
APS-H (approx 27.9 x 18.6 mm)
Sensor Type CCD CMOS
Resolution 3008 x 2000 pixels 3504 x 2336 pixels
Megapixels 6 MP 8,2 MP
Image Processor EXPEED DIGIC 2
Image
Nikon D50
Canon EOS 1D Mark II
ISO Range 200 - 1600 50 - 3200
White Balance Presets 6 8
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D50
Canon EOS 1D Mark II
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 5 45
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
APS-H Sensor
1.3x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 31 mm
50 mm becomes 65 mm
100 mm becomes 130 mm
200 mm becomes 260 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D50
Canon EOS 1D Mark II
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2” 2”
Screen dots 130000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view No No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.75× (0.5× 35mm equiv.) 0.72× (0.55× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D50
Canon EOS 1D Mark II
Frames per second 2,5 fps 8,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 11 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/2 EV, 1/3 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D50
Canon EOS 1D Mark II
Video recording No No
Video format N/A N/A
Video resolution N/A N/A
Built-in Microphone No No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Nikon D50
Canon EOS 1D Mark II
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D50
Canon EOS 1D Mark II
HDMI Output No No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D50
Canon EOS 1D Mark II
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Nikon EN-EL3 Lithium-Ion & charger included
Ni-MH pack NP-E3
Battery Life (CIPA) 400 shots N/A
Width 133 mm 156 mm
Height 102 mm 158 mm
Depth 76 mm 80 mm
Weight 620 gram 1565 gram