• APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 45.7 megapixels
  • ISO 64 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon 70D advantages over Nikon D850

  • Less expensive
    $999 vs $2497*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Nikon D850 advantages over Canon 70D

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Fast startup
    ~0.20 vs 0.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Better color depth
    26.4 vs 22.5 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,660 vs 926 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.8 vs 11.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1840 vs 920 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More cross-type AF points
    99 vs 19
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Newer
    7 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    590k vs 347k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.75x vs 0.59x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    45.7 vs 20.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    153 vs 19
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 65 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    200 vs 14 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

  • 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 GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos

User reviews

Buy From

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.

  • Class-leading resolution; Excellent dynamic range; Very good high ISO performance; Very fast AF and burst shooting; Durable weather-sealed body; Improved ergonomics; Touchscreen; Dual card slots; 4K video.

  • Live view/video mode still uses sluggish contrast-detect AF; Viewfinder only tests at ~98% coverage; No 4K at 60p; 30-minute video clip limit; Focus peaking not supported with 4K.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Canon 70D
Nikon D7100
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon D850
Nikon D7100
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

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 D850
Pentax K-3
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash

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 D850
Sony A77 II
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Sony A99 II

Canon 70D
Sony A99 II
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D850
Sony A99 II
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Canon 70D
Pentax K-1 II
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D850
Pentax K-1 II
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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