• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 15.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon EOS 50D
  • Nikon D3S
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon 40D
40D vs 50D
Nikon D2Hs
D2Hs vs D3S
Successor: Canon 60D
50D vs 60D
Nikon D4
D3S vs D4
General
Model Number: 50D D3S
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1399.00 $5199.95
Street Price: $999.95  
Date Available: 2008-10-15 2009-11-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 29.0 oz (822 g)
includes batteries
49.7 oz (1,410 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9 in.
(146 x 108 x 74 mm)
6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in.
(160 x 157 x 88 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Canon  
Effective Megapixels: 15.1 12.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 35mm
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 860.4mm2 (36.00mm x 23.90mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.99 microns 8.46 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.6x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 63 82
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.8 23.5
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.4 12.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 696 3,253
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4752 x 3168 (15.1 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2352 x 1568 (3.7 MP, 3:2)
4256 x 2832 (12.1 MP, 3:2),
3184 x 2120 (6.8 MP, 3:2),
2128 x 1416 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
2784 x 1848 (5.1 MP, Other),
2080 x 1384 (2.9 MP, 3:2),
1392 x 920 (1.3 MP, Other),
3552 x 2832 (10.1 MP, 5:4),
2656 x 2120 (5.6 MP, 5:4),
1776 x 1416 (2.5 MP, 5:4),
3552 x 2368 (8.4 MP, 3:2),
2656 x 1776 (4.7 MP, 3:2),
1776 x 1184 (2.1 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG, 14-bit RAW, sRAW1, sRAW2 JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.3 9.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
Movie File Format:   Motion JPEG
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes Yes
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Canon EF/EF-S Nikon F
Lens: Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 45 - 216mm  
Focal Length (actual): 28 - 135mm  
Zoom Ratio: 4.82x  
Aperture Range: f/3.5-22 (W), f/5.6-36 (T)  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 72.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: No
Digital Zoom Values:   n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: AF-dedicated CMOS Sensor, 9 cross-type AF points, f/2.8 rotated cross center point 51-point TTL phase detection via Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX with 15 cross-type and 36 line-type sensors
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 95% coverage, 0.95x mag., 22mm eyepoint. -3 to +1 diopter SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, interchangeable screen, 100%, 0.7x, 18mm eyepoint, -3.0 to +1.0
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.59x 0.70x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.95x 0.70x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 920,000 dots 920,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 27.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 12800
Minimum ISO (native): 100 200
ISO Settings: Auto, 100 - 3200 in 1/3 or 1EV steps, H1=6400, H2=12800 Auto, 200 - 12,800, plus down to 100 in Lo-1, up to 102,400 in Hi-3
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Kelvin 2800K - 10,000K Auto, twelve manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 35-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Partial (9%), Spot (3.8%) 1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (1.5%) centered on selected focus area
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Creative Auto, Green Zone, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Action, Night Portrait, Flash Off, User1, User2 None
Self Timer: 10 or 2 seconds 2/5/10/20 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: E-TTL II n/a
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 13.0 m / 42.7 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens aperture dependent n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe, PC Sync ISO-type hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 CF1
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 14-bit RAW, sRAW1, sRAW2 RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr
Movie File Format:   Motion JPEG
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Optional wired
Connections (extended): N3-type push-in terminal, HDMI mini out HDMI Out, DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal, External Stereo Mic
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): <0.3 0.34
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): <0.3 0.34
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited 58
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.34
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.3 9.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 43 90
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   9.1
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   41
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   9.1
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   36
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.13 seconds 0.20 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):   0.51 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):   0.423 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.120 seconds 0.043 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.24 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.063 seconds 0.043 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View: Full AF, Quick Mode: 0.85s Prefocus, Quick Mode: 0.108s Full AF, Face Detect: 1.97s Full AF, Live Mode: 2.06s Optical Viewfinder AF lag: 51-point Auto-Area Full AF = 0.361s Live View AF Lag: Hand-held mode Full AF = 0.511s Tripod mode Full AF = 2.66s Tripod mode Prefocused = 0.423
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 0.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.5 seconds 0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 1.9 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 640 shots 4200 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BP-511/A, BP-512; BG-E2N Battery Grip Proprietary EN-EL4a
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeble Lithium Ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BP-511A Lithium-ion rechargeble 1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Digital Photo Professional, EOS Utility, ZoomBrowser EX and ImageBrowser PictureProject
OS Compatibility: Windows XP/Vista, Mac OS X. Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 15.1-megapixel upgrade to 40D: APS-C, DIGIC IV, 920K LCD, HDMI Out, Vignetting Correction, AF Microadjustment for up to 20 lenses, new Creative Auto exposure mode, 4-step adjustable high-ISO NR, 4-step adjustable ALO, 6.3 fps, Face Detection in LV mode. Native ISO range, 1/3 stop adjustable up to 3,200. H1 is 6,400, H2 is 12,800. Variable RAW (15.1MP (L), 7.1MP(M), 3.8MP(S) in RAW).