Canon 40D vs Olympus E-5
57 Imaging
48 Features
50 Overall
48


58 Imaging
47 Features
76 Overall
58
Canon 40D vs Olympus E-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 800g - 143 x 117 x 75mm
- Released February 2011
- Superseded the Olympus E-3

Canon 40D vs Olympus E-5 Overview
The following is a complete review of the Canon 40D and Olympus E-5, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Canon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the 40D (10MP) and the E-5 (12MP) is pretty similar but the 40D (APS-C) and E-5 (Four Thirds) come with different sensor sizing.

The 40D was introduced 4 years earlier than the E-5 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the 40D matches up versus the E-5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon 40D vs Olympus E-5 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon EOS 40D and Olympus E-5. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon 40D Gallery and Olympus E-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 40D over the Olympus E-5
40D | E-5 |
---|
Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Canon 40D
E-5 | 40D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2011 | ![]() | October 2007 | Newer by 39 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+690k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Canon 40D and Olympus E-5
40D | E-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen measurement |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly screen |
Canon 40D vs Olympus E-5 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to travel with your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Canon 40D has outer measurements of 146mm x 108mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 822 grams (1.81 lbs) while the Olympus E-5 has specifications of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).
Examine the Canon 40D and Olympus E-5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the 40D against the E-5.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the 40D and E-5 is 57 and 58 respectively.

Canon 40D vs Olympus E-5 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very tough to picture the difference between sensor dimensions just by reviewing specs. The pic below might give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the 40D and E-5.
All in all, the two cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The 40D using its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Olympus E-5 will offer greater detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged 40D is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon 40D vs Olympus E-5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 40D vs Olympus E-5 Specifications
Canon EOS 40D | Olympus E-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Olympus |
Model | Canon EOS 40D | Olympus E-5 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2007-10-24 | 2011-02-03 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | TruePic V+ |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 22.2 x 14.8mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 328.6mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 3888 x 2592 | 4032 x 3024 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Max enhanced ISO | 3200 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 11 |
Cross focus points | - | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Canon EF/EF-S | Micro Four Thirds |
Available lenses | 326 | 45 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.6 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | - | HyperCrystal transmissive LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.6x | 0.58x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30s | 60s |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 6.5 frames per sec | 5.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (ISO 100) | 18.00 m (at ISO 200) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/250s | 1/250s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
Video file format | - | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 822g (1.81 pounds) | 800g (1.76 pounds) |
Dimensions | 146 x 108 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") | 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 64 | 56 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.1 | 21.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.3 | 10.5 |
DXO Low light score | 703 | 519 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 800 pictures | 870 pictures |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | BLM-5 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | 2 |
Retail cost | $1,099 | $1,700 |