• APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon 70D advantages over Olympus E-M5 II

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 920 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    65 vs 18 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus E-M5 II advantages over Canon 70D

  • 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
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 78 mm
    Thinner
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.74x vs 0.59x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • 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
    10.4 fps vs 6.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.4 fps vs 6.7 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Both provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • 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 Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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

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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

  • Excellent handling in a compact, weather-sealed body; Crisp, roomy electronic viewfinder; Image quality that can take the fight to APS-C DSLRs; Unique high-res mode lets it bat far above its weight for static scenes; Extremely fast 10 fps burst shooting, Excellent video feature set

  • Control dials are easily bumped; Below-average battery life at default settings; Buffer depths for raw shooters are a bit limited; 16-megapixel sensor resolution feels dated; Weak bundled flash strobe

  • Read our Olympus E-M5 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Canon 70D
Nikon D7100
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $810
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon 70D vs Nikon D7100

Olympus E-M5 II
Nikon D7100
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $810
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Canon 70D
Panasonic GX7
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 70D vs Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GX7
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX7

Compared to Sony A77 II

Canon 70D
Sony A77 II
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 70D vs Sony A77 II

Olympus E-M5 II
Sony A77 II
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony A77 II

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 70D
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1597
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 70D vs Canon 7D Mark II

Olympus E-M5 II
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $1597
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Canon 7D Mark II

Compared to Nikon D7200

Canon 70D
Nikon D7200
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • NFC

Compare Canon 70D vs Nikon D7200

Olympus E-M5 II
Nikon D7200
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Nikon D7200

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