• APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Canon 70D advantages over Nikon D610

  • Less expensive
    $999 vs $1997
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • More telephoto lens reach
    216 mm vs 85 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • More cross-type AF points
    19 vs 9
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Less shutter lag
    0.07 vs 0.26 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.7 fps vs 5.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    65 vs 30 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    6.7 fps vs 5.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D610 advantages over Canon 70D

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 4.11 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 0.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    25.1 vs 22.5 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,925 vs 926 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.4 vs 11.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.59x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 20.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    39 vs 19
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 29 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D610

Review Excerpt

  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF delivers full-time continuous autofocus (with phase detect at every pixel in framing area) for video and Live View still shooting; Full HD (1080p) video recording with pro-level features and quality; Improved resolution and good high ISO performance; Excellent Wi-Fi remote shooting with full exposure controls; 3-inch articulating LCD touchscreen.

  • Image quality only improved slightly over 60D; Dynamic range still lags behind competing models; May not feature enough upgrades to convince people to step up from 60D.

  • Eliminated sensor dust-and-oil spot issue from D600; Great controls for amateur or pro; Comfortable ergonomics and weight; Excellent image quality and low-light performance; Very good dynamic range; Excellent battery life; Built-in lens correction.

  • Not drastically different from D600; Moire with certain subjects; Auto WB still too warm in incandescent light; Slow AF in live view mode; Aliasing in videos.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 70D
Canon 6D
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D610
Canon 6D
  • $1273
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Nikon D7100

Canon 70D
Nikon D7100
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon D610
Nikon D7100
  • $1273
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Nikon D600

Canon 70D
Nikon D600
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D610
Nikon D600
  • $1273
  • 35mm
  • Faster RAW shooting
  • $1900
  • 35mm

Compared to Pentax K-3

Canon 70D
Pentax K-3
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon D610
Pentax K-3
  • $1273
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony A77 II

Canon 70D
Sony A77 II
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon D610
Sony A77 II
  • $1273
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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