Nikon D5200 vs Canon EOS 550D
This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D5200 and Canon EOS 550D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Nikon D5200 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 550D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.
Nikon D5200 were released 2012 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 D5200 | 2012 |
| 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 D5200 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 D5200 | 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 D5200 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 D5200 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
| Canon EOS 550D |
18,7 MP
17915904 pixels 5184 x 3456 |
Nikon D5200 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
Canon EOS 550D has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5200. Canon EOS 550D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D5200 has 100 to 6400.
| Camera | ISO Range |
| Nikon D5200 | 100-6400 |
| 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 D5200 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5200 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 D5200
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 D5200 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 D5200 | 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 D5200 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.
Nikon D5200 weighs 555 gr (equal to 1.22 lb) which is 9% heavier than Canon EOS 550D and its 510 gr (or 1.12 lb).
| Camera | Weight |
| Nikon D5200 | 555 gr 1.22 lb |
| Canon EOS 550D | 510 gr 1.12 lb |
Nikon D5200 vs Canon EOS 550D Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D5200 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 |
Nikon D5200 |
Canon EOS 550D |
| Name | Nikon D5200 | Canon EOS 550D |
| Manufacturer | Nikon | Canon |
Release Date and Price |
Nikon D5200 |
Canon EOS 550D |
| Release Year | 2012 | 2010 |
| Release Date | 2012-11-06 | 2010-02-08 |
| MSRP | 799 USD | 899 USD |
| Buy it today |
|
|
Camera Type |
Nikon D5200 |
Canon EOS 550D |
| Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Nikon D5200 |
Canon EOS 550D |
| Sensor Size |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Resolution | 6000 x 4000 pixels | 5184 x 3456 pixels |
| Megapixels | 24 MP | 18,7 MP |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 3 | DIGIC 4 |
Image |
Nikon D5200 |
Canon EOS 550D |
| ISO Range | 100 - 6400 | 100 - 12800 |
| White Balance Presets | 12 | 6 |
| Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
| Image Stabilization | No | No |
| Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
| Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Nikon D5200 |
Canon EOS 550D |
| Autofocus Motor | No | Yes |
| Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
| Focus Points | 39 | 9 |
| Lens Mount |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
Canon EF Canon EF-S 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-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 |
Nikon D5200 |
Canon EOS 550D |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated | Fixed |
| Screen size | 3” | 3” |
| Screen dots | 921 | 1040000 |
| Touch screen | No | No |
| Screen type | TFT LCD monitor | TFT color liquid-crystal LCD |
| Live view | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 95% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.) | 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.) |
| Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Nikon D5200 |
Canon EOS 550D |
| Frames per second | 5 fps | 3,7 fps |
| Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash Range | 12 meters | 13 meters |
| External Flash | Yes | Yes |
| Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
| Time-lapse | Yes | Yes |
| Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot Partial |
| Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Nikon D5200 |
Canon EOS 550D |
| Video recording | Yes | Yes |
| Video format |
MPEG4 H.264 |
H.264 |
| Video resolution |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Speakers | Yes | No |
Storage |
Nikon D5200 |
Canon EOS 550D |
| Memory Card |
SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Nikon D5200 |
Canon EOS 550D |
| HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Port | Yes | No |
| Headphone Port | No | No |
| Wireless |
Yes Optional |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
| Remote Control |
Yes (Optional ML-L3 or WR-R10)
|
Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed) |
| GPS |
Yes Optional
|
No |
Body & Dimensions |
Nikon D5200 |
Canon EOS 550D |
| Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion LP-E8 rechargeable battery & charger
|
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 500 shots | N/A |
| Width | 129 mm | 129 mm |
| Height | 98 mm | 98 mm |
| Depth | 78 mm | 62 mm |
| Weight | 555 gram | 510 gram |