• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon T3i advantages over Olympus E-M5

  • 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.
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 440 vs 360 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    216 mm vs 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 205k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video

Olympus E-M5 advantages over Canon T3i

  • 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
  • Fast startup
    ~1.10 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    43 mm vs 79 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    652g vs 1031g
    Lighter weight
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.58x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 29 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.9 fps vs 3.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    17 vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.0 fps vs 3.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    16 vs 5 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 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
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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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Buy the Canon T3i

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Buy the Olympus E-M5
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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens
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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality; Good grip; Full HD video recording; Swiveling LCD; Very fast autofocus; HDMI output.

  • Slow frame rate for sports shooting; Tendency to overexpose in bright sunlight; Live View AF is slow; No microfocus adjustment.

  • Read our Canon T3i Full Review

  • Attractive body design; Well-built, weather-sealed body; Excellent image quality; Excellent image stabilization; Very fast autofocus.

  • Exposure compensation dial changes easily; Small buttons; No in-camera chromatic aberration correction; Bundled flash is weak; Video compression artifacts with rapidly-moving subjects.

  • Read our Olympus E-M5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Canon T3i
Olympus E-M1
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T3i vs Olympus E-M1

Olympus E-M5
Olympus E-M1
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Nikon D7000

Canon T3i
Nikon D7000
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon T3i vs Nikon D7000

Olympus E-M5
Nikon D7000
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Nikon D7000

Compared to Pentax K-5

Canon T3i
Pentax K-5
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T3i vs Pentax K-5

Olympus E-M5
Pentax K-5
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-5

Compared to Panasonic G3

Canon T3i
Panasonic G3
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Thinner

Compare Canon T3i vs Panasonic G3

Olympus E-M5
Panasonic G3
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • More viewfinder magnification

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G3

Compared to Canon T4i

Canon T3i
Canon T4i
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon T3i vs Canon T4i

Olympus E-M5
Canon T4i
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Canon T4i

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