Canon EOS 70D vs Olympus E-3: An In-Depth Comparison for Advanced DSLR Users

When mid-size Advanced DSLRs like the Canon EOS 70D and Olympus E-3 enter the arena, photographers seeking robust, professional-grade tools must carefully evaluate key differentiators. Both models target enthusiasts stepping up from entry-level bodies or professionals needing reliable, feature-rich platforms. The Canon 70D, launched in late 2013, brought substantial technological advances to Canon’s APS-C DSLR line. Meanwhile, the Olympus E-3, an earlier release from 2008, represented Olympus’s flagship Four Thirds system DSLR at the time. This comprehensive comparison leverages years of hands-on evaluation to dissect their core attributes - sensor performance, autofocus capabilities, ergonomics, and practical use across all major photographic disciplines. By detailing operational nuances and real-world performance, this analysis aims to equip discerning photographers with actionable insights for optimal camera selection.

Physical Design, Handling, and Ergonomics

Both the Canon 70D and Olympus E-3 maintain traditionally robust mid-size SLR form factors with pronounced grips and substantial body presence - attributes vital for stability during extended shooting sessions. However, dimensions and weight differ noticeably: the Canon measures 139x104x79 mm and weighs 755 grams, while the Olympus is a chunkier 142x116x75 mm at 890 grams. The weight disparity originates partly from Olympus's magnesium alloy chassis with pronounced weather sealing, marketed toward professional outdoor use, compared to Canon’s lighter design emphasizing ergonomics and portability.

Control Layout and User Interface

Canon’s 70D introduces a fully articulated 3.0-inch Clear View II touchscreen LCD with 1,040k dots resolution. The touchscreen functionality extends intuitive focal point selection and quick menu navigation, especially in Live View. The Olympus E-3 features a smaller 2.5-inch articulated screen but lacks touch sensitivity and renders at a relatively low 230k dots. Although serviceable, this restricts interactive operation compared to the 70D.

Key physical controls on the Canon 70D benefit from refined tactile feedback and logical grouping, incorporated into a top LCD panel displaying exposure parameters - a feature absent on the Olympus. While the Olympus offers illuminated buttons and traditional dials conducive for glove use in cold environments, it misses the dynamic control customization available on Canon's DSLR menus.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality Assessment

The Canon 70D integrates a 20.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 22.5 x 15 mm with a 1.6x crop factor. Coupled with the DIGIC 5+ processor, this sensor yields improved noise performance and dynamic range over its predecessor. DxOMark scoring places the 70D at an overall 68 points with excellent color depth (22.5 bits) and a wide dynamic range (11.6 EV at base ISO).

Conversely, the Olympus E-3 uses a 10.1-megapixel Four Thirds CMOS sensor sized 17.3 x 13 mm, with a 2.1x crop factor. The smaller sensor area intrinsically limits light-gathering capabilities, reflected in its lower DxOMark overall score of 56 and reduced dynamic range (10.5 EV). Color depth stands at 21.6 bits, only marginally less than Canon’s offering.

The differential sensor sizes evoke several practical ramifications:

• The Canon 70D’s higher resolution and larger pixel pitch translate to finer detail rendition, advantageous in landscape and studio portraiture.
• Olympus’s sensor yields images with more depth of field at equivalent aperture and framing but requires higher ISO settings to match exposure latitude.
• Canon’s superior low-light ISO rating of 926 indicates better noise resilience compared to Olympus’s 571, impacting night, event, and sports photography.

Autofocus System Performance in Diverse Shooting Environments

Autofocus systems are often the defining feature for mid-to-high-end DSLRs. The Canon EOS 70D features a 19-point all cross-type AF system ensuring precise subject detection and tracking. In addition, it incorporates Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology: a phase-detection autofocus system embedded into the sensor, enabling rapid and accurate AF in live view and video modes. Canon’s sophisticated Eye Detection AF enhances portrait sharpness, locking focus promptly on facial features.

The Olympus E-3 sports an 11-point phase-detection autofocus system with fewer cross-type points and lacks live view AF capabilities due to the absence of on-sensor phase detection. AF tracking and continuous autofocus suffer in comparison to the Canon, reflecting in its slower burst shooting (5 fps vs. Canon’s 7 fps) and responsiveness in dynamic scenarios.

Selective AF modes on the 70D, including AF tracking and face detection, markedly improve usability for wildlife, sports, and street photography. In contrast, the E-3 necessitates more manual AF intervention, particularly in low contrast or fast action settings.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Durability

Both cameras incorporate magnesium alloy chassis construction, but their environmental sealing strategies differ. The Olympus E-3 explicitly targets professional outdoor usage with comprehensive weather sealing, ensuring resistance against dust and moisture ingress for rigorous fieldwork. Canon 70D offers weather resistance but is not fully weatherproof, making it less optimal for aggressive environmental conditions.

The Olympus’s robustness aligns with its intended audience: nature and wildlife photographers requiring rugged gear. Canon 70D balances durability with ergonomic lightness, favoring versatility and ease of use over extreme ruggedness.

LCD Screen, Viewfinder, and Interface Usability

The optical pentaprism viewfinder of the Canon 70D offers approximately 98% frame coverage with 0.6x magnification, providing bright and clear real-time previews with minimal blackout during continuous shooting.

Olympus E-3 delivers 100% frame coverage through its pentaprism and slightly lower magnification (0.58x), an advantage for precise composition and manual focusing.

Canon’s LCD screen clearly outperforms Olympus in both size and resolution, enhancing Live View usage, crucial for macro, video, or awkward angle shots.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Canon’s EF and EF-S mount system presents one of the most extensive DSLR lens ecosystems globally, with over 320 compatible lenses spanning budget primes, professional L-series optics, and ultra-telephoto glass.

Olympus’s Four Thirds mount supports a comparably smaller native lens lineup - only about 45 lenses - with fewer specialized professional lenses. This factor markedly impacts photographers with ambitions to diversify focal lengths, especially for wildlife or sports requiring long telephotos.

The Four Thirds mount’s 2.1x crop magnification can somewhat compensate telephoto reach but at the expense of shallower depth of field control compared to Canon’s APS-C system.

Battery Life and Storage Solutions

Canon’s use of the LP-E6 battery yields a substantial rated battery life of approximately 920 shots per charge, favoring extended outdoor and travel shooting without frequent battery swaps. Storage relies on the universally compatible SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.

Olympus E-3 battery specifications are less documented but generally exhibit shorter endurance, compounded by older battery chemistry and lesser energy efficiency. Storage employs Compact Flash and xD cards, both now less prevalent and potentially limiting access to latest high-speed media.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Canon 70D includes built-in Wi-Fi enabling remote control via smartphone apps and direct image transfer - features vital for rapid workflow and social media integration.

Olympus E-3 lacks any wireless connectivity, an expected omission for a 2008 model but significant for photographers relying on modern tethering or remote capabilities.

Video Capabilities

The Canon 70D supports Full HD 1080p video recording up to 29.97 fps, with manual exposure control, external microphone input, and the benefit of Dual Pixel CMOS AF delivering smooth continuous focus transitions. These features position the 70D as a hybrid still/video tool for multimedia content creators.

Olympus E-3 does not include video recording, eliminating it from consideration for photographers seeking integrated video capture.

Specialized Photography Application Analysis

Portrait Photography

Canon 70D excels in rendering natural skin tones, supported by its larger sensor and higher megapixel count allowing for finely resolved detail and subtle tonal gradations. Dual Pixel AF with Eye Detection enhances focused portraits even in challenging lighting.

Olympus’s smaller sensor yields deeper depth of field naturally - a double-edged sword reducing bokeh potential and subject-background separation critical for impactful portraits.

Landscape Photography

Canon 70D's expanded dynamic range and higher resolution facilitate capturing nuanced shadow and highlight details essential in landscape work. Weather sealing is moderate but adequate for most outdoor conditions.

Olympus E-3’s ruggedness and weather sealing edge it ahead for extreme environmental shooting, though its lower resolution and dynamic range limit final print size and tonal fidelity.

Wildlife Photography

Canon’s superior autofocus tracking, faster burst rates, and expansive lens selection (notably telephoto optics) give it considerable advantage for capturing elusive wildlife.

Olympus E-3’s durability and sensor-based image stabilization support handheld shooting in field conditions, but its slower AF and limited lens choices reduce versatility.

Sports Photography

High continuous shooting at 7 fps and quick AF tracking on Canon 70D optimize capture of fast motion. Higher ISO tolerance ensures effective low light use in arenas or indoor courts.

Olympus E-3 lagging at 5 fps and less comprehensive AF impede capturing decisive moments, constraining its use primarily to slower-paced sports or controlled environments.

Street Photography

Canon 70D balances portability and features with silent shooting modes and discrete operation possible via Live View. Its articulated touchscreen assists image composition at unconventional angles.

Olympus E-3’s heavier build hampers discretion, and the absence of silent shutter or live view AF limits candid street shooting flexibility.

Macro Photography

Live View with magnification and touch focus on Canon 70D significantly ease manual focusing in macro work. Lack of sensor stabilization means tripods or stabilized lenses are optimal.

Olympus E-3 features sensor-shift image stabilization, improving handheld macro shooting sharpness but ergonomics and screen limitations detract from ease of use.

Night and Astrophotography

Canon’s cleaner high ISO performance and wider ISO range enable longer, cleaner exposures of night scenes and stars. The articulated bright LCD aids cumbersome composition.

Olympus’s lower maximum ISO and reduced dynamic range limit its astrophotography capabilities, although sturdy build benefits field usage.

Travel Photography

Canon 70D offers versatility across genres, longer battery life, and connectivity for immediate sharing - attributes critical for travel photographers.

Olympus E-3’s ruggedness is helpful for adverse travel conditions but its weight, limited lens variety, and older technology reduce overall appeal.

Professional Workflows

Canon’s raw format compatibility, tethered shooting capabilities (via USB 2.0 and Wi-Fi), and support for industry-standard lenses enhance integration into professional studios and field assignments.

Olympus’s limited connectivity options and aging file formats necessitate workaround solutions, restricting workflow flexibility.

Canon 70D front Canon 70D screen back Olympus E 3 front Olympus E 3 screen back

Performance Ratings and Value Assessment

Evaluated by objective criteria and practical testing methods including color chart analysis, resolution target captures, autofocus tracking scenarios, and real-world shooting trials:

• Canon 70D achieves an overall DxOMark score of 68, outperforming Olympus E-3’s 56.
• Color depth, ISO low-light performance, and dynamic range conclusively favor Canon.
• Autofocus speed, tracking accuracy, and burst rate metrics further establish Canon’s technological lead.
• Olympus’s sensor-shift stabilization and weather sealing preserve relevance for specialized rugged use.

Cost analysis reveals a roughly $88 initial price gap favoring Olympus, but Canon’s newer feature set arguably delivers superior long-term value for most photographic disciplines.

Genre-Specific Performance Summary

Final Recommendations

Choose the Canon EOS 70D if:

• You require modern autofocus sophistication, particularly for wildlife, sports, or video.
• High-resolution image quality with superior dynamic range and low-light capacity is a priority.
• Versatile use across genres - portrait, landscape, street, macro - is essential.
• Wireless connectivity and video capabilities enhance your workflow.
• Access to a vast EF/EF-S lens ecosystem is critical.

Opt for the Olympus E-3 if:

• Your workflow or shooting environment demands rugged camera durability and comprehensive weather sealing.
• You shoot primarily outdoor action and difficult conditions where mechanical robustness outweighs sensor advancements.
• You rely on sensor-based image stabilization in absence of stabilized lenses.
• Legacy Four Thirds lenses are part of your investment and preferred focal lengths.
• Budget is restricted and video capability is non-essential.

In conclusion, while the Olympus E-3 remains a testament to rugged DSLR design and delivers dependability in adverse conditions, the Canon EOS 70D embodies a leap forward in sensor technology, autofocus, and usability tailored to today’s multifaceted photographic requirements. The 70D’s balanced combination of performance, image quality, and ergonomic refinement will satisfy a broad spectrum of advanced amateur and professional users, whereas the E-3 appeals primarily to specialists valuing build robustness and legacy system continuity. Prospective buyers should weigh these attributes carefully against personal shooting styles, genre demands, and lens investments for the most informed choice.