Canon T5i vs Olympus E-M5 II

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Canon T5i vs Olympus E-M5 II

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APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon T5i Review.
How does it shoot? Canon T5i in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the T5i.
Compare Canon T5i image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon T5i conclusion.

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

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M5 II Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M5 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M5 II.
Compare Olympus E-M5 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M5 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon T6i
Compare T5i vs T6i

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M5 III
Compare E-M5 II vs E-M5 III

Compare CANON T6I vs OLYMPUS E-M5 III

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Differences

Canon T5i advantages over Olympus E-M5 II

Less expensive
$539 vs $899*
Save money for lenses or accessories
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

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

440 vs 310 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Olympus E-M5 II advantages over Canon T5i

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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
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.
E-M5 II test data on DxO Mark T5i test data on DxO Mark

908 vs 681 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
E-M5 II test data on DxO Mark T5i test data on DxO Mark

12.4 vs 11.2 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Thinner
44 mm vs 78 mm
Thinner
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.26 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.74x vs 0.53x
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 4.8 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.4 fps vs 4.8 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
13 vs 6 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

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
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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read T5i User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M5 II User Reviews

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Buy the Canon T5i

Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens

Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens
Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 lens

All T5i Deals

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Buy the Olympus E-M5 II

Body Only (Silver)

Body Only (Silver)
Body Only (Black)

All E-M5 II Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality; 9 cross-type AF points; Stereo microphones; Built-in touchscreen; Multi-shot modes; Improved kit lens; Even more affordable.
Little-changed from the earlier T4i; Slow Live View and video autofocus; High ISO performance is unimproved; Below-average battery life; No dedicated AF illuminator.
Read our Canon T5i 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 Canon T4i

Canon T5i

Canon T4i

$539
APS-C

Less expensive
Lighter weight

$579
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon T5i vs Canon T4i

Olympus E-M5 II

Canon T4i

$899
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$579
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Canon T4i

Compared to Sony A57

Canon T5i

Sony A57

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T5i vs Sony A57

Olympus E-M5 II

Sony A57

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony A57

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Canon T5i

Pentax K-5 IIs

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T5i vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Olympus E-M5 II

Pentax K-5 IIs

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Sony A58

Canon T5i

Sony A58

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T5i vs Sony A58

Olympus E-M5 II

Sony A58

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$598
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony A58

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Canon T5i

Panasonic GX7

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$648
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T5i 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

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