Upgrade Guide

Canon EOS 500D→Canon EOS 7D

Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.

You own

Canon

EOS 500D

£57

2009

→

Upgrade to

Canon

EOS 7D

£95 (+£38)

2009

✅

Strong upgrade

The EOS 7D improves across 3 key areas at a reasonable price gap. Most EOS 500D owners will notice the difference.

What's new in the EOS 7D

Unchanged or similar

Suitability by genre

Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.

Full spec comparison

Spec	EOS 500D	EOS 7D
Price	£57	£95
Released	2009	2009
Sensor	15.1MP APS-C CMOS	18MP APS-C CMOS
Resolution	15MP	18MP	↑
Video	Full HD 1080p/20, 720p/30	Full HD 1080p/30, 720p/60
Autofocus	9-point phase-detect (centre cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face detection in live view	19-point all cross-type phase-detect 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	8fps	↑
Battery Life	~400 shots (CIPA)	~800 shots (CIPA)	↑
Weight	530g (with battery)	910g (with battery)	↓
Weather Sealed	Not weather sealed	Yes	↑
Viewfinder	Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.87x	Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.0x
Screen	3.0" fixed LCD, 920k dots	3.0" fixed LCD, 920k dots
Mount	Canon EF / EF-S	Canon EF / EF-S
Memory Cards	Single SD slot	Single CompactFlash slot

Compare side-by-side

See EOS 500D and EOS 7D next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

Get a personalised upgrade score

Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the EOS 7D against your specific genres — not just specs.

Other upgrades from the EOS 500D

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