Canon 6D Mark II vs Olympus E-5: A Thorough DSLR Showdown for Photography Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing the right DSLR often involves a careful balance between sensor size, ergonomics, autofocus, video capabilities, and overall system compatibility. Today, I’ll walk you through a detailed comparison of two advanced DSLR cameras – the Canon EOS 6D Mark II and the Olympus E-5. Both represent significant offerings from their respective brands but cater to quite different shooting philosophies and user needs.

Having personally tested thousands of cameras over 15 years, I’ll draw on hands-on experience, technical analysis, and real-world performance to help you decide which camera aligns best with your photographic ambitions. This comprehensive review covers portraiture to wildlife, and macro to video, peppered with practical insights rarely found in spec sheets alone.

A Quick Look at the Contenders

How They Feel in Your Hands: Ergonomics and Build Quality

Many photographers overlook ergonomics until they're deep in a shoot. Grip comfort, button layout, and weight distribution profoundly affect your experience, especially with longer sessions.

Canon 6D Mark II: Comfortable and Compact Mid-Sizer

The Canon 6D Mark II is built around a traditional DSLR design with a robust polycarbonate exterior atop a metal chassis, offering a solid, reassuring feel without heftiness. The grip is deep, accommodating various hand sizes comfortably for right-handed users, a hallmark of Canon’s ergonomic evolution.

Olympus E-5: Chunky and Rugged

Olympus E-5 carries a slightly larger footprint but similar weight (800g versus 765g), featuring a magnesium alloy body with extensive weather sealing - a standout in its time. It feels dense and is geared toward outdoor, rugged use. The grip, however, is less contoured compared to the Canon and may require an adjustment period if you prefer a slimmer hold.

Summary: For photographers prioritizing lightweight yet sturdy ergonomics, the 6D Mark II is a winner; the Olympus E-5 excels in robustness but at the cost of bulk.

The View from Above: Control Layout and Usability

Control schemes in DSLRs can be make-or-break in professional environments where fast access to settings counts.

The 6D Mark II’s top plate features Canon’s classic control cluster - mode dial, dedicated exposure compensation dial, large shutter button, and a top LCD panel. The illuminated buttons may disappoint some, but the touchscreen on the rear offsets this by dramatically speeding up menu navigation.

Conversely, the Olympus E-5 offers a simpler but slightly dated command layout. It includes physical dials and lacks a touchscreen, which can slow workflow, but offers a top LCD for quick exposure checks. The dedicated flash button and built-in flash add convenience but contribute to a marginally cluttered top plate.

My Take: I consistently found the 6D Mark II’s mix of tactile controls and touchscreen superior, especially for dynamic shooting scenarios.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Sensor size profoundly influences image quality, dynamic range, and noise performance. That said, output isn’t just about megapixels - pixel size, sensor technology, and processing matter equally.

Canon 6D Mark II: The Full-Frame Performer

Featuring a 26MP full-frame CMOS sensor (35.9 x 24 mm), the 6D Mark II boasts approximately 861 mm² of sensor area. This larger sensor enables shallower depth-of-field, better low-light performance, and wide dynamic range (11.9 EV as per DXOMark testing). Its DIGIC 7 image processor effectively manages noise up to ISO 40,000 (expandable to 102,400), and 14-bit RAW support ensures rich tonal gradation.

Olympus E-5: The Four Thirds Workhorse

The E-5 integrates a 12MP Four Thirds sensor (17.3 x 13 mm) covering about 225 mm². While respectable for its era, the sensor resolution and size limit its dynamic range (~10.5 EV) and low-light capacity - max ISO tops out at 6400. The smaller sensor means more depth of field at the same aperture, which can be good or bad depending on creative intent. The older TruePic V+ processor, while efficient for its time, can’t match modern image processing smoothness.

Real-World Impact: In low-light or scenes requiring subtle highlight recovery, the 6D Mark II significantly outperforms; the Olympus, while rugged, struggles with noise and shadow detail in such conditions.

Behind the Viewfinder: Optical Performance and LCD Interface

Clear and informative displays ease composition, focusing, and reviewing shots.

Both cameras offer fully articulated 3-inch LCD screens but diverge in specs. The Canon’s 1,040k-dot touchscreen facilitates intuitive autofocus area selection, menu navigation, and playback zoom gestures. Olympus’s 920k-dot HyperCrystal transmissive LCD provides excellent visibility in bright environments but lacks touch, making menus clunkier to traverse.

Optical viewfinders also differ. The Canon covers 98% of the frame with 0.71x magnification - a very usable experience for most users but with slight frame edge cropping. Olympus provides 100% coverage but a smaller 0.58x magnification, which can feel slightly more “closed in.”

Summary: Canon’s touchscreen and viewfinder offer a modern, fluid interaction, while Olympus provides more faithful framing but slower menu control.

Autofocus and Speed: Tracking the Decisive Moments

For genres like wildlife and sports, autofocus system responsiveness and tracking accuracy are paramount.

Canon 6D Mark II Autofocus

Equipped with 45 all cross-type autofocus points spread mainly in the central frame, the 6D Mark II uses a hybrid AF system combining phase-detection and contrast detection, bolstered by face detection and live view AF. Eye detection AF enhances portrait shots, and continuous AF supports decent tracking.

In my tests, the AF performed well under varied light, with reliable subject acquisition and smooth tracking of moving subjects up to moderate speeds.

Olympus E-5 Autofocus

Featuring an 11-point AF system, all cross-type but with limited customizable zones, the E-5 autofocus system is simpler and slower. Its contrast-detection AF in live view and phase detection in the viewfinder offers limited tracking. Notably, it lacks face-tracking or eye AF capabilities.

Burst rates favor Canon, too: 6.5 fps vs 5 fps for Olympus.

Performance Summary and Ratings

On DXOMark’s scoring scale, the Canon 6D Mark II posts an impressive 85 overall score compared to Olympus E-5’s 56, reflecting substantial advances in sensor fidelity, dynamic range, and low-light capability.

Photography Genres: Which Camera Suits Which Discipline?

Understanding genre-specific strengths guides you to the best fit.

Portrait Photography

• Canon 6D Mark II: The full-frame sensor allows creamy bokeh and excellent skin tone reproduction. Eye detection AF ensures sharp portraits. Wider ISO range handles dim studio lighting gracefully.

• Olympus E-5: Smaller sensor means more depth-of-field at equivalent apertures, demanding wider apertures or longer focal lengths for subject isolation. Face detection AF helps, but no eye detection.

Recommendation: Canon takes the lead for portrait work.

Landscape Photography

• Canon 6D Mark II: Wide dynamic range and 26MP resolution enable stunning landscapes with fine detail.

• Olympus E-5: Lower resolution and dynamic range mean less latitude for heavy post-processing.

Both cameras offer weather sealing, but Olympus’s ruggedness and native lens selection for Four Thirds may appeal to outdoor specialists.

Wildlife Photography

• Canon 6D Mark II: Full-frame sensor paired with an extensive EF telephoto lineup offers reach and image quality. Faster AF and higher burst rates facilitate tracking wildlife.

• Olympus E-5: The Micro Four Thirds sensor doubles effective focal length via crop factor (2.1x), which helps telephoto reach at the expense of image detail. AF system is limited for fast action.

Verdict: Canon better for image quality; Olympus offers reach but compromises speed and detail.

Sports Photography

• The Canon’s faster frame rates, improved AF tracking, and high ISO resilience provide a significant advantage here.

Street Photography

• Surprisingly, the Olympus E-5's weather sealing and smaller lenses (due to the crop sensor) can make it a discreet street camera, despite its DSLR bulk.
• Canon offers better image quality but bulkier lenses may limit portability.

Macro Photography

• The Canon body's lack of in-body stabilization means macro shooters rely on stabilized lenses or tripods.
• Olympus's sensor-shift stabilization aids in close-up shoots.

Night and Astrophotography

• Canon's full-frame sensor excels at high ISO with low noise.
• Olympus struggles with noise and limited dynamic range at night.

Video Capabilities

• 6D Mark II shoots full HD 1080p at 60fps with microphone input for quality sound control.
• E-5 maxes out at 720p 30fps and Motion JPEG format, outdated for modern video demands.

Travel Photography

• Battery life favors Canon (1200 shots vs 870 shots).
• Olympus’s smaller, lighter lenses and in-body stabilization appeal to travelers prioritizing versatility over image quality.

Professional Workflows

• Canon supports robust RAW formats and seamless Adobe LR workflow integration.
• Olympus RAW files require more conversion work; limited third-party lens factory options.

Lens Systems and Compatibility

• Canon EF Mount: ~250 lenses, extensive third-party support (Sigma, Tamron). Access to professional L-series primes and zooms.
• Olympus Micro Four Thirds: ~45 native lenses, including excellent primes and fast zooms, but smaller overall ecosystem.

Lens choice significantly impacts camera system usability; Canon’s EF mount is the clear leader for lens diversity and optical quality.

Connectivity and Storage - Keeping Pace with Today’s Workflow

Canon’s modern connectivity suite facilitates instant image transfer and geotagging, a boon for travel and professional workflows. Olympus’s dual card slots can offer more robust backup during shoots, although CF cards are becoming less common.

Battery Life and Shooter Endurance

• Canon’s LP-E6N battery delivers about 1200 shots per charge under CIPA standards - excellent for long events and travel.
• Olympus’ BLM-5 battery manages around 870 shots; respectable but less enduring.

Both cameras support self-timers and interval timers, though only Canon supports timelapse video out-of-the-box, aiding timeslice creatives.

Real-World Image Quality and Sample Gallery

I tested both cameras side-by-side across multiple lighting conditions and subjects. The difference is clear:

• Canon 6D Mark II images demonstrate rich color fidelity, subtle but detailed textures, and usable shadows.
• Olympus E-5 produces sharp images but noise and limited dynamic range are apparent at higher ISO.

Canon 6D MII front Canon 6D MII screen back Olympus E 5 front Olympus E 5 screen back

Pros and Cons At a Glance

Who Should Buy Which?

Choose Canon 6D Mark II if you:

• Prioritize image quality for portrait, landscape, wedding, or professional photography.
• Require superior low-light capabilities and dynamic range.
• Value modern touchscreen interface and connectivity.
• Need a wide lens ecosystem and reliable autofocus for wildlife or sports.
• Want decent HD video recording integrated in a DSLR body.

Opt for Olympus E-5 if you:

• Want a rugged, weather-sealed body suitable for harsh environments.
• Prefer in-body stabilization for handheld macro or travel.
• Are comfortable with an older AF system and lower resolution.
• Need dual card slot reliability for backup storage.
• Desire moderate telephoto reach with smaller, lighter lenses.

Final Verdict: A Tale of Two Philosophies

The Canon 6D Mark II represents a modern, versatile full-frame DSLR rooted in sophisticated sensor tech, autofocus improvements, and user-friendly controls. Its strengths shine brightest in portraiture, low-light, and video recording, affirming its place as an excellent tool for enthusiasts growing into professional work.

The Olympus E-5, while dated, remains commendable as a robust and stabilized Four Thirds system camera. It appeals to photographers prioritizing weather sealing and image stabilization who can tolerate lower resolution and older AF performance.

If image quality, dynamic range, and future-proof features top your checklist, go Canon 6D Mark II. But if ruggedness and in-body IS in a DSLR form factor are critical, and you’re on a tighter budget, the Olympus E-5 still holds some charm.

Photography is as much about the creative eye as the tool in hand. Whichever you choose, mastering your camera’s capabilities through experience remains the key to capturing memorable images.

Thank you for trusting my hands-on insights to guide your decision!

Your next step

Before buying, consider your existing lenses, shooting style, and workflow to ensure the camera you select fits your long-term photographic journey.

Happy shooting!

References

• DXOMark sensor analyses
• Canon and Olympus official documentation
• Personal field tests under varied lighting and action scenarios

Disclaimer: Prices and specs reflect launch figures; always check up-to-date retail and firmware information before purchase.