Camera Review: Canon EOS 500D Verses Canon EOS 5D Mark 11

Camera Review: Canon EOS 500D Verses Canon EOS 5D Mark 11.

My first EOS Digital SLR “DSLR” camera was the Canon EOS 500D. I was told to buy any good mid range SLR camera and then buy the best lenses that I could afford. It’s the lens that gave you quality photographs.

This is true to some extent!

Let me tell you what I’ve discovered since then…

I have been totally thrilled with this first camera, that was fitted only with quality Canon lenses. It’s given me many fine images. But, as an outdoor nature and macro photographer I decided on a second camera.

Why? 

So that I will always be ready, camera in hand fitted with either a macro or telephoto lens. My first choice was to go for a Canon EOS 1D, but because that camera was out of my income bracket I decided on the next best, a full framed sensor professional Canon EOS 5D Mark 11.

One camera is now fitted with a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens and the other with a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens. (These two lenses fit both these Canon EOS series SLR cameras; i.e. they are inter-changeable. Watch out, some lenses only fit certain models).

This tip can save you a lot of money!!!

When buying Camera equipment, check first to see if lenses can be shared between different camera models. Just incase, at a later date you may want to upgrade like I have.

Has it been worth buying the second more expensive camera?

To some extent; Yes!

The 5D has a full framed 21 million pixel sensor. This camera gives larger images and greater detail than the 500D.

I find however that the quality of my macro images between these two cameras is very much the same. The improvement only shows when using the zoom lens.

Compare these three photos which were taken with the same Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens.

Heron Image Using Canon 500D

Shot taken on a Canon EOS 500D camera

Image taken with the Canon EOS D5 Mark 2

When photographing anything at a distance, the D5 captures far more detail, but you are not able to zoom in as close, as when using the same lens on the 500D.

This disadvantage can be overcome due to the fact it has extra pixels, which allows for extra cropping. You are still left with reasonably large printable images.

When looking through the view finder, what you see is what you get. It’s just that you cannot zoom in as close, compared to when that lens is fitted to the 500D camera. The 500D camera has only a ¾ sized sensor.

Because I can get quality macro photo with the 500D I’ve decided to keep the macro lens on this camera. The telephoto lens now stays on the 5D. No more changing lenses in the field. No more fluff and dust getting into the camera. No more missed shots because the camera is fitted with the wrong lens.

From now on I aim to carry both cameras so that I will always be prepared for that unexpected shot.