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EOS 400D vs EOS 500D
Quick take: The EOS 500D has the highest resolution at 15MP; the EOS 400D is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·13 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
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Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | EOS 400DCanon · 2006 | EOS 500DCanon · 2009 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £31 used | £30 usedBest |
| Sensor | 10.1MP APS-C CMOS | 15.1MP APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | 10.1MP | 15.1MPBest |
| Video | No video | Full HD 1080p/20, 720p/30 |
| Autofocus | 9-point phase-detect AF | 9-point phase-detect (centre cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face detection in live view |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) |
| Burst Rate | 3fps | 3.4fpsBest |
| Battery Life | ~360 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 510g (with battery)Best | 530g (with battery) |
| Dimensions | 126.5 × 94.2 × 65mm | 128.8 × 97.5 × 61.9mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.8x | Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.87x |
| Screen | 2.5" fixed LCD, 230k dots | 3.0" fixed LCD, 920k dots |
| Mount | Canon EF | Canon EF / EF-S |
| Memory Cards | Single CompactFlash slot | Single SD slot |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, video out | USB 2.0, mini HDMI, AV out, E3 remote |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
EOS 400D
EOS 500D
Portrait
4.8/10
5.3/10
Street
5.3/10
5.3/10
Travel
4.6/10
4.7/10
Wedding & Events
3.5/10
3.9/10
Documentary
2.9/10
3.5/10
Sports & Action
4.0/10
4.4/10
Landscape
3.3/10
3.8/10
Wildlife
4.6/10
4.9/10
Casual
3.2/10
3.3/10
Food
3.6/10
3.9/10
Macro
3.4/10
3.7/10
Architecture
3.6/10
4.1/10
Astrophotography
4.6/10
4.4/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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