Olympus E-M5 vs Canon 6D

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Olympus E-M5 vs Canon 6D

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

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M5 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M5.

35mm 855.6mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon 6D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 6D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 6D.
Compare Canon 6D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 6D conclusion.

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

Succeeded by the Canon 6D Mark II
Compare 6D vs 6D Mark II

Compare OLYMPUS E-M5 II vs CANON 6D MARK II

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Differences

Olympus E-M5 advantages over Canon 6D

Less expensive
$900 vs $1555
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Thinner
43 mm vs 71 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
652g vs 1448g
Lighter weight
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
8.9 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.0 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Canon 6D advantages over Olympus E-M5

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.54 vs 3.75 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 1.1 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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.
6D test data on DxO Mark E-M5 test data on DxO Mark

2,340 vs 826 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
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

1090 vs 360 shots
Capture more photos
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
Higher-res screen
348k 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
More viewfinder magnification
0.71x vs 0.58x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
20.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
1250 vs 17 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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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Adorama
Read E-M5 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 6D User Reviews

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Buy the Olympus E-M5

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Body Only
Kit with 14-42mm Lens

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Buy the Canon 6D

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm Lens

All 6D Deals

Review Excerpt

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

Excellent image quality on par to more expensive full-frame DSLRs (including the 5D Mark III); Responsive all-around performer; Superior HD video-shooting chops; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features, Built-in GPS and geotagging.
Lacks a built-in, pop-up flash; No external headphone jack; Rather basic 11-point autofocus system; Mediocre burst speed.
Read our Canon 6D Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Olympus E-M5

Canon 5D Mark III

$900
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2079
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark III

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$2079
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to 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

Canon 6D

Olympus E-M1

$1499
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 6D vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Nikon D610

Olympus E-M5

Nikon D610

$900
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1196
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Nikon D610

Canon 6D

Nikon D610

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$1196
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D610

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Olympus E-M5

Canon 7D Mark II

$900
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1597
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 6D

Canon 7D Mark II

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$1597
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 7D Mark II

Compared to 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

Canon 6D

Panasonic G3

$1499
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$700
4/3

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon 6D vs Panasonic G3

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