Canon 7D vs Olympus E-M5
56 Imaging
57 Features
70 Overall
62


81 Imaging
51 Features
70 Overall
58
Canon 7D vs Olympus E-M5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 12800)
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF/EF-S Mount
- 860g - 148 x 111 x 74mm
- Announced November 2009
- Replacement is Canon 7D MII
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 425g - 122 x 89 x 43mm
- Launched April 2012
- Newer Model is Olympus E-M5 II

Canon 7D vs Olympus E-M5 Overview
Below, we are comparing the Canon 7D versus Olympus E-M5, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by rivals Canon and Olympus. The image resolution of the 7D (18MP) and the E-M5 (16MP) is fairly well matched but the 7D (APS-C) and E-M5 (Four Thirds) possess totally different sensor sizes.

The 7D was released 3 years earlier than the E-M5 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Canon 7D being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving straight into a full comparison, below is a short view of how the 7D grades against the E-M5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon 7D vs Olympus E-M5 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon EOS 7D and Olympus OM-D E-M5. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon 7D Gallery and Olympus E-M5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 7D over the Olympus E-M5
7D | E-M5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 610k | Crisper display (+310k dot) |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Canon 7D
E-M5 | 7D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | April 2012 | ![]() | November 2009 | Fresher by 30 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Canon 7D and Olympus E-M5
7D | E-M5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen |
Canon 7D vs Olympus E-M5 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to carry your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon 7D has got external measurements of 148mm x 111mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 2.9") having a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-M5 has measurements of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") along with a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs).
Compare the Canon 7D versus Olympus E-M5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the 7D compared to the E-M5.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 7D and E-M5 is 56 and 81 respectively.

Canon 7D vs Olympus E-M5 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's hard to see the contrast between sensor sizing purely by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the 7D and E-M5.
Clearly, each of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The 7D because of its larger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Canon 7D will give you greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos much more aggressively. The older 7D is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Canon 7D vs Olympus E-M5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 7D vs Olympus E-M5 Specifications
Canon EOS 7D | Olympus OM-D E-M5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Olympus |
Model | Canon EOS 7D | Olympus OM-D E-M5 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced Mirrorless |
Announced | 2009-11-06 | 2012-04-30 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Dual Digic 4 | TruePic VI |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 332.3mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 5184 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
Max enhanced ISO | 12800 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW support | ||
Minimum enhanced ISO | - | 100 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 19 | 35 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Canon EF/EF-S | Micro Four Thirds |
Amount of lenses | 326 | 107 |
Crop factor | 1.6 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 920k dots | 610k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor | Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,440k dots |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.63x | 0.58x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 60 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 8.0 frames/s | 9.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/250 secs | 1/250 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | H.264 | H.264, Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 860g (1.90 lb) | 425g (0.94 lb) |
Dimensions | 148 x 111 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 2.9") | 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 66 | 71 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.0 | 22.8 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.7 | 12.3 |
DXO Low light score | 854 | 826 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 800 images | 360 images |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LP-E6 | BLN-1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Microdrive cards | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Price at release | $1,050 | $799 |