Canon 6D vs Olympus PEN-F

Cameras
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Canon 6D vs Olympus PEN-F

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.

4/3 226.2mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

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

Succeeded by the Canon 6D Mark II
Compare 6D vs 6D Mark II
Compare Canon 6D Mark II vs Olympus PEN-F

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Differences

Canon 6D advantages over Olympus PEN-F

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.54 vs 3.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 1.8 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 PEN-F test data on DxO Mark

2,340 vs 894 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
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
More viewfinder magnification
0.71x vs 0.62x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
1250 vs 43 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 PEN-F advantages over Canon 6D

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Less expensive
$999* vs $1999
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Thinner
37 mm vs 71 mm
Thinner
Newer
8 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.29 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
10.4 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.5 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
39 vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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

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
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 6D User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read PEN-F User Reviews

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Body Only (Silver)
Body Only (Black)

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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

Highest resolution Olympus 4/3" camera yet; Excellent image quality for its class; Very good dynamic range; Fast autofocus; Fast burst speeds; Lots of fun creative filter options; Built-in EVF, Wi-Fi.
Expensive; No weather sealing; Mediocre battery life; No 4K video; No mic or headphone jacks.
Read our Olympus PEN-F 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 PEN-F

Canon 5D Mark III

$999
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2139
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus PEN-F 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 PEN-F

Nikon D610

$999
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1271
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus PEN-F 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 PEN-F

Canon 7D Mark II

$999
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1647
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Canon 7D Mark II

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 PEN-F

Nikon D600

$999
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1900
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Nikon D600

Compared to Nikon D750

Canon 6D

Nikon D750

$1699
35mm

Built-in GPS
Bigger JPEG buffer

$1698
35mm

Tiltable Screen
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D750

Olympus PEN-F

Nikon D750

$999
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1698
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Nikon D750

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