Decision tools · Compare
EOS 500D vs EOS 5D Mark II
Quick take: The EOS 5D Mark II has the highest resolution at 21MP; the EOS 500D is the most affordable; only the EOS 5D Mark II is weather sealed.
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 500DCanon · 2009 | EOS 5D Mark IICanon · 2008 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £57Best | £128 |
| Sensor | 15.1MP APS-C CMOS | 21.1MP full-frame CMOS |
| Resolution | 15.1MP | 21.1MPBest |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/20, 720p/30 | Full HD 1080p/30 |
| Autofocus | 9-point phase-detect (centre cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face detection in live view | 9-point phase-detect (+6 assist points) 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 | 3.4fps | 3.9fpsBest |
| Battery Life | ~400 shots (CIPA) | ~850 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 530g (with battery)Best | 890g (with battery) |
| Dimensions | 128.8 × 97.5 × 61.9mm | 152 × 113.5 × 75mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | YesBest |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.87x | Optical pentaprism, 98% coverage, 0.71x |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 920k dots | 3.0" fixed LCD, 920k dots |
| Mount | Canon EF / EF-S | Canon EF |
| Memory Cards | Single SD slot | Single CompactFlash slot |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, mini HDMI, AV out, E3 remote | USB 2.0, mini HDMI, AV out, 3.5mm mic jack, N3 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 500D
EOS 5D Mark II
Portrait
5.3/10
5.8/10
Street
5.3/10
4.7/10
Travel
4.7/10
4.8/10
Wedding & Events
3.9/10
5.4/10
Documentary
3.5/10
5.1/10
Sports & Action
4.4/10
5.1/10
Landscape
3.8/10
5.4/10
Wildlife
4.9/10
5.6/10
Casual
3.3/10
2.9/10
Food
3.9/10
4.2/10
Macro
3.7/10
3.8/10
Architecture
4.1/10
5.1/10
Astrophotography
4.4/10
5.9/10
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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