Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D vs Nikon D5000 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 18 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D
40
SCORE
|
Nikon · DSLR · 12.3 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Nikon D5000
41
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D and the Nikon D5000 are both APS-C DSLRs, with the T2i arriving in 2010, a year after the D5000. It is the lighter body at 530 g against 590 g, and slimmer at 62 mm deep against 80 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2010 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 26, 2010 | April 14, 2009 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 129 x 98 x 62 mm | 127 x 104 x 80 mm |
| Camera weight | 530 g | 590 g |
| Optics | 41/100 | 45/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe T2i is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and large prints, with 18 MP against the D5000's 12.3 MP on the same APS-C sensor format. Its ISO range runs higher: 6400 standard and 12800 expanded, against 3200 and 6400, giving you a faster option when light fades indoors. The lens mounts are the long-term difference: the T2i uses Canon EF-S, the D5000 Nikon F DX, and neither body takes the other brand's lenses. Both use an optical pentamirror viewfinder, a 1/4000 second maximum shutter and no in-body stabilisation, so handheld work in dim light depends on the lens. The D5000 holds a small edge for action, with 11 autofocus points against 9 and 4 fps against 3.7 fps. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
18 MP050 | 12.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5184 x 3456 | 4288 x 2848 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
14.9 x 22.3 | 15.8 x 23.6 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
3.7 fps045 | 4 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF-S | Nikon F DX |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic 4 | Expeed |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
64003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
128003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 43/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor family films or web video, the T2i is the clear choice: it records Full HD in MOV format, with a maximum frame rate of 30 fps. The D5000 stops at Standard HD resolution, with a maximum frame rate of 24 fps, recording Motion JPEG clips that suit casual sharing more than serious editing. The D5000 offers one shooting convenience the T2i lacks: a built-in timelapse function that records a moving sequence without an external intervalometer. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD |  Standard HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1280 x 720 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 24 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
No |  Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV | Motion JPEG |
| Features | 44/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D5000's tilting LCD is its standout control advantage, letting you frame low-angle or overhead shots without crouching or stretching. The T2i's screen is fixed but much sharper for checking focus, with 1,040,000 dots against 230,000, and slightly larger at 3 inches versus 2.7. The everyday features match: both cameras offer live view, a built-in flash and external flash support, and neither has touch control, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS or weather sealing. Wireless transfer and geotagging therefore need accessories with either camera. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 24/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D5000's battery lasts longer under its test rating, 510 shots against 440 for the T2i. The batteries differ too, EN-EL9a in the Nikon and LP-E8 in the Canon, and neither charges over USB, so each camera needs its charger on a trip. Both cameras use a single SD card slot, but the T2i also accepts SDXC cards, so high-capacity cards work for long video sessions or a full day of stills. The D5000 supports SD and SDHC only. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E8 | EN-EL9a |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
440 shots1505000 | 510 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D for the stronger all-round package: 18 MP for heavy cropping and larger prints, Full HD video for family films, and a sharper screen for checking focus. SDXC card support helps on long shooting days.
The Nikon D5000 suits other styles: its tilting screen helps with waist-level macro work and overhead crowd shots, its extra autofocus points and faster burst aid moving subjects, and its longer-rated battery and built-in timelapse serve a landscape day. If those match how you shoot it is a sound pick; otherwise the T2i is the stronger buy.