Decision tools · Compare
EOS 550D vs EOS 5DS
Quick take: The EOS 5DS has the highest resolution at 51MP; the EOS 550D 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 550DCanon · 2010 | EOS 5DSCanon · 2015 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £26 usedBest | £337 used |
| Sensor | 18MP APS-C CMOS | 50.6MP full-frame CMOS |
| Resolution | 18.0MP | 50.6MPBest |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/30, 720p/60 | Full HD 1080p/30, 720p/60 |
| Autofocus | 9-point phase-detect via viewfinder; contrast AF with face detection in live view | 61-point phase-detect (41 cross-type) via viewfinder with EOS iTR face / colour tracking; contrast AF with face tracking in live view |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) |
| Burst Rate | 3.7fps | 5fpsBest |
| Battery Life | ~440 shots (CIPA) | ~700 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 530g (with battery)Best | 930g (with battery) |
| Dimensions | 128.8 × 97.5 × 75.3mm | 152 × 116.4 × 76.4mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentamirror, 0.87x | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.71x |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.04M dots | 3.2" fixed LCD, 1.04M dots |
| Mount | Canon EF / EF-S | Canon EF |
| Memory Cards | Single SD slot | Dual slots: CompactFlash + SD |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, mini HDMI, AV out, 3.5mm mic, E3 remote | USB 3.0, mini HDMI, 3.5mm mic, PC sync, 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 550D
EOS 5DS
Portrait
5.4/10
6.4/10
Street
5.4/10
4.6/10
Travel
4.8/10
4.1/10
Wedding & Events
4.0/10
6.0/10
Documentary
4.0/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
4.5/10
5.3/10
Landscape
4.0/10
5.6/10
Wildlife
5.0/10
5.4/10
Casual
3.3/10
2.8/10
Food
4.0/10
4.8/10
Macro
3.8/10
4.3/10
Architecture
4.4/10
6.1/10
Astrophotography
4.4/10
5.6/10
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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