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Canon 40D vs Olympus E-M1

Portability
57
Imaging
49
Features
50
Overall
49
Canon EOS 40D front
 
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65

Canon 40D vs Olympus E-M1 Key Specs

Canon 40D
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 3200)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 822g - 146 x 108 x 74mm
  • Announced October 2007
  • Replaced the Canon 30D
  • Later Model is Canon 50D
Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Released October 2013
  • Updated by Olympus E-M1 II
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Canon 40D vs Olympus E-M1 Overview

Here is a detailed assessment of the Canon 40D vs Olympus E-M1, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Canon and Olympus. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the 40D (10MP) and E-M1 (16MP) and the 40D (APS-C) and E-M1 (Four Thirds) come with different sensor size.

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The 40D was unveiled 7 years earlier than the E-M1 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Canon 40D being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a simple summation of how the 40D matches up versus the E-M1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon 40D over the Olympus E-M1

 40D E-M1 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Canon 40D

 E-M1 40D 
ReleasedOctober 2013October 2007Fresher by 73 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon 40D and Olympus E-M1

 40D E-M1 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Canon 40D vs Olympus E-M1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Canon 40D has physical 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) whilst the Olympus E-M1 has sizing of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") having a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon 40D vs Olympus E-M1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view size comparison of the 40D and the E-M1.

Canon 40D vs Olympus E-M1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the 40D and E-M1 is 57 and 71 respectively.

Canon 40D vs Olympus E-M1 top view buttons comparison

Canon 40D vs Olympus E-M1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing purely by viewing specifications. The graphic underneath will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the 40D and E-M1.

Plainly, both of those cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The 40D with its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Olympus E-M1 will render more detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older 40D will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon 40D vs Olympus E-M1 sensor size comparison

Canon 40D vs Olympus E-M1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 40D vs Olympus E-M1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 40D Portrait photography information
Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography information
59
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
71
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/320 seconds)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon 40D Street photography details
Olympus E-M1 Street photography details
56
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
78
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
features focus via touch
weather proof
lighter than average in class (497 grams)
above average high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Canon 40D Sports photography info
Olympus E-M1 Sports photography info
53
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
bad battery power (800 per charge)
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
weather proof
supports phase detect auto focus
not so great battery pack (350 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon 40D
Travel photography with Olympus E-M1
48
environment proofing
has built in flash
bad battery power (800 per charge)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
65
lighter than average in class (497 grams)
weather proof
features focus via touch
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (350 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 40D Landscape photography highlights
Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography highlights
58
has manual focus
switch lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
bad battery power (800 shots)
73
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proof
not so great battery pack (350 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon 40D
Vlogging with Olympus E-M1
9
can't record video
36
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with microphone socket
lighter than average in class (497 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Canon 40D vs Olympus E-M1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 40D and Olympus E-M1
 Canon EOS 40DOlympus OM-D E-M1
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Olympus
Model Canon EOS 40D Olympus OM-D E-M1
Category Advanced DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2007-10-24 2013-10-28
Physical type Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - TruePIC VII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 22.2 x 14.8mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 328.6mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3888 x 2592 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 25600
Max enhanced ISO 3200 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 81
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF/EF-S Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 326 107
Crop factor 1.6 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dots
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.5fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/320 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 822 gr (1.81 lb) 497 gr (1.10 lb)
Dimensions 146 x 108 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 64 73
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 23.0
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 12.7
DXO Low light score 703 757
Other
Battery life 800 photos 350 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - BLN-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $1,099 $799