Canon 6D vs Olympus E-P5

Cameras
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Canon 6D vs Olympus E-P5

35mm 855.6mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon 6D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 6D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 6D.
Compare Canon 6D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 6D conclusion.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-P5 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the E-P5.

Succeeded by the Canon 6D Mark II
Compare 6D vs 6D Mark II

Succeeded by the Olympus E-P7
Compare E-P5 vs E-P7

Compare CANON 6D MARK II vs OLYMPUS E-P7

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Differences

Canon 6D advantages over Olympus E-P5

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 6.54 vs 3.75 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 0.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
6D test data on DxO Mark E-P5 test data on DxO Mark

2,340 vs 895 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1090 vs 330 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
105 mm vs 34 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More pixels
20.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 34 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Bigger JPEG buffer
1250 vs 16 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-P5 advantages over Canon 6D

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
37 mm vs 71 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/320 vs 1/180 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Lighter weight
545g vs 1448g
Lighter weight
Less shutter lag
0.20 vs 0.29 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
9.9 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.9 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 6D User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-P5 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon 6D

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm Lens

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Buy the Olympus E-P5

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 17mm Lens

Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality on par to more expensive full-frame DSLRs (including the 5D Mark III); Responsive all-around performer; Superior HD video-shooting chops; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features, Built-in GPS and geotagging.
Lacks a built-in, pop-up flash; No external headphone jack; Rather basic 11-point autofocus system; Mediocre burst speed.
Read our Canon 6D Review

Handsome retro styling; Very good image quality and dynamic range, with competitive high ISO performance; Lightning fast autofocusing; Excellent burst speeds (nearly 10fps at full res); Top shutter speed of 1/8000 second; Sharp, bright 17mm f/1.8 kit lens; 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with 1.04M dots of resolution.
Heavier than some mirrorless models; Weak flash; Below average battery life; No built-in viewfinder (but EVF available in a kit or for separate purchase); A bit pricey compared to the similar E-M5, which offers a built-in EVF and weather sealing at about the same price.
Read our Olympus E-P5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark III

$1699
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$2139
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 5D Mark III

Olympus E-P5

Canon 5D Mark III

$1249
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2139
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-P5 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D610

Canon 6D

Nikon D610

$1699
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

$1271
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D610

Olympus E-P5

Nikon D610

$1249
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1271
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-P5 vs Nikon D610

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 6D

Canon 7D Mark II

$1699
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1647
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 7D Mark II

Olympus E-P5

Canon 7D Mark II

$1249
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1647
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-P5 vs Canon 7D Mark II

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Canon 6D

Olympus E-M5

$1699
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$900
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 6D vs Olympus E-M5

Olympus E-P5

Olympus E-M5

$1249
4/3

Focus peaking
Built-in Wi-Fi

$900
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Nikon D600

Canon 6D

Nikon D600

$1699
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

$1900
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D600

Olympus E-P5

Nikon D600

$1249
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1900
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-P5 vs Nikon D600

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