Canon 70D vs Olympus E-PL7

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Canon 70D vs Olympus E-PL7

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APS-C 337.5mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon 70D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 70D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 70D.
Compare Canon 70D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 70D conclusion.

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

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-PL7 Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-PL7 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-PL7.
Compare Olympus E-PL7 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-PL7 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon 80D
Compare 70D vs 80D

Succeeded by the Olympus E-PL8
Compare E-PL7 vs E-PL8

Compare CANON 80D vs OLYMPUS E-PL8

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Differences

Canon 70D advantages over Olympus E-PL7

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

920 vs 350 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
216 mm vs 84 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
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
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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
Bigger JPEG buffer
65 vs 24 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus E-PL7 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
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 0.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Thinner
38 mm vs 78 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
469g vs 1233g
Lighter weight
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
8.7 fps vs 6.7 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.7 fps vs 6.7 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read 70D User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-PL7 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon 70D

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All 70D Deals

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Buy the Olympus E-PL7

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 14-42mm Lens

All E-PL7 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

Excellent image quality for its class including very good ISO performance; Improved performance and ergonomics over the E-PL5; LCD tilts 180 degree downward for easier selfies; Upgraded 3-axis IS system.
No built-in flash (but a small add-on flash is included); No built-in EVF; Default colors somewhat muted; Somewhat quirky menu system.
Read our Olympus E-PL7 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Canon 70D

Nikon D7100

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$690
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Canon 70D vs Nikon D7100

Olympus E-PL7

Nikon D7100

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$690
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Olympus E-PL5

Canon 70D

Olympus E-PL5

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$329
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Thinner

Compare Canon 70D vs Olympus E-PL5

Olympus E-PL7

Olympus E-PL5

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
Fast startup

$329
4/3

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Olympus E-PL5

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Canon 70D

Panasonic GF6

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$400
4/3

In-camera panoramas
NFC

Compare Canon 70D vs Panasonic GF6

Olympus E-PL7

Panasonic GF6

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$400
4/3

In-camera panoramas
NFC

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic GF6

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

Olympus E-PL7

Sony A77 II

$399
4/3

Lens selection
Touchscreen

$1198
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Sony A77 II

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 70D

Canon 7D Mark II

$999
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-PL7

Canon 7D Mark II

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1597
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Canon 7D Mark II

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