• APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

Buy From

Differences

Canon 70D advantages over Nikon Z5

  • Less expensive
    $999 vs $1297
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

Nikon Z5 advantages over Canon 70D

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 4.11 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Newer
    4 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.80x vs 0.59x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 20.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 70D
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-135mm Lens
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens
All 70D Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z5
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 24-200mm f/4-6.3 Lens
  • Kit with 24-50mm f/4-6.3 Lens
All Z5 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF delivers full-time continuous autofocus (with phase detect at every pixel in framing area) for video and Live View still shooting; Full HD (1080p) video recording with pro-level features and quality; Improved resolution and good high ISO performance; Excellent Wi-Fi remote shooting with full exposure controls; 3-inch articulating LCD touchscreen.

  • Image quality only improved slightly over 60D; Dynamic range still lags behind competing models; May not feature enough upgrades to convince people to step up from 60D.

  • Read our Canon 70D Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Canon 70D
Nikon D7100
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon 70D vs Nikon D7100

Nikon Z5
Nikon D7100
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Nikon Z5 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Sony A77 II

Canon 70D
Sony A77 II
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 70D vs Sony A77 II

Nikon Z5
Sony A77 II
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon Z5 vs Sony A77 II

Compared to Nikon D7200

Canon 70D
Nikon D7200
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1021
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • NFC

Compare Canon 70D vs Nikon D7200

Nikon Z5
Nikon D7200
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1021
  • APS-C
  • NFC
  • Internal flash

Compare Nikon Z5 vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Nikon Z6 II

Canon 70D
Nikon Z6 II
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon 70D vs Nikon Z6 II

Nikon Z5
Nikon Z6 II
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Top deck display
  • More dots on screen

Compare Nikon Z5 vs Nikon Z6 II

Compared to Panasonic S5 II

Canon 70D
Panasonic S5 II
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Internal flash
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon 70D vs Panasonic S5 II

Nikon Z5
Panasonic S5 II
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite

Compare Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic S5 II

Compare Other Cameras?