• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Olympus E-420 advantages over Canon T5i

  • Thinner
    53 mm vs 78 mm
    Thinner
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.26 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Canon T5i advantages over Olympus E-420

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Higher effective ISO
    681 vs 527 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    9 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Newer
    12 years vs 17 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.53x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    18.0 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • More AF points
    9 vs 3
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.8 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 1600 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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 Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Neither provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-420

Your purchases support this site

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

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

The Competition

Compared to Canon T4i

Olympus E-420
Canon T4i
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Less shutter lag
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-420 vs 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

Compared to Olympus E-620

Olympus E-420
Olympus E-620
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-620

Canon T5i
Olympus E-620
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compare Canon T5i vs Olympus E-620

Compared to Olympus E-450

Olympus E-420
Olympus E-450
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $700
  • 4/3

Compare Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-450

Canon T5i
Olympus E-450
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Longer exposure

Compare Canon T5i vs Olympus E-450

Compared to Olympus E-600

Olympus E-420
Olympus E-600
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-600

Canon T5i
Olympus E-600
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compare Canon T5i vs Olympus E-600

Compared to Sony A57

Olympus E-420
Sony A57
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-420 vs 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

Compare Other Cameras?