Canon 6D vs Olympus E-M1

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Canon 6D vs Olympus E-M1

Leave Feedback

35mm 855.6mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon 6D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 6D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 6D.
Compare Canon 6D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 6D conclusion.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M1.

Succeeded by the Canon 6D Mark II
Compare 6D vs 6D Mark II

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M1 II
Compare E-M1 vs E-M1 II

Compare CANON 6D MARK II vs OLYMPUS E-M1 II

Buy From

Differences

Canon 6D advantages over Olympus E-M1

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.54 vs 3.75 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 0.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
6D test data on DxO Mark E-M1 test data on DxO Mark

2,340 vs 757 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1090 vs 350 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More pixels
20.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
1250 vs 50 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-M1 advantages over Canon 6D

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Higher max flash sync
1/320 vs 1/180 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.29 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
9.9 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.9 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
50 vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 6D User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M1 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 6D

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm Lens

All 6D Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M1

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 12-40mm Lens

All E-M1 Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality on par to more expensive full-frame DSLRs (including the 5D Mark III); Responsive all-around performer; Superior HD video-shooting chops; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features, Built-in GPS and geotagging.
Lacks a built-in, pop-up flash; No external headphone jack; Rather basic 11-point autofocus system; Mediocre burst speed.
Read our Canon 6D Review

Exceptional rugged, weather-proof, professional build; Lightning fast contrast-detect AF, and phase-detect AF that makes Four Thirds lenses far more responsive; Tons of useful physical controls with immense customizability; Arguably the best image quality of any Micro Four Thirds camera we've tested to date; Large, sharp, high-resolution electronic viewfinder; Advanced Wi-Fi capabilities, including remote control shooting in PASM exposure modes.
Bigger and heavier than many other compact system cameras; Most expensive Micro Four Thirds camera on the market to date; Menu system and customization options have a steep learning curve; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.
Read our Olympus E-M1 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark III

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$2079
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 5D Mark III

Olympus E-M1

Canon 5D Mark III

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2079
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Canon 6D

Olympus E-M5

$1499
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$900
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 6D vs Olympus E-M5

Olympus E-M1

Olympus E-M5

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
Fast startup

$900
4/3

Thinner
Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Nikon D610

Canon 6D

Nikon D610

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$1196
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D610

Olympus E-M1

Nikon D610

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1196
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Nikon D610

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 6D

Canon 7D Mark II

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$1597
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 7D Mark II

Olympus E-M1

Canon 7D Mark II

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1597
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Canon 7D Mark II

Compared to Nikon D600

Canon 6D

Nikon D600

$1499
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

$1900
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D600

Olympus E-M1

Nikon D600

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1900
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Nikon D600

Compare Other Cameras?