No, a cane corso is not a pitbull. Cane corsos and pitbulls are two distinct breeds despite their striking similarities.
Like all domestic dogs, they are distantly related, but the cane corso was developed from Italian Molossers, while the pitbull is a descendant of bulldogs and terriers.
These breeds are both strong-willed and highly energetic family dogs. However, standing at 23 to 27 inches (58.4 to 68.6 cm), a cane corso is typically much larger than a pitbull. The cane corso also has a denser double coat.
Both breeds are playful and obedient, but cane corsos are more prone to becoming unruly and obnoxious if not well-trained.