Having to choose between two cameras is never easy, especially when they are both great at what they do. Because it can be really challenging, here’s our comparison of two popular Canon DSLR’s: the 80D and the 70D
Canon EOS 70D
This mid/range SLR camera is great for devoted photographers and it’s a recommended upgrade to the EOS 60D.
It includes many components from other Canon SLRs, like autofocus sensor of EOS 7D, EOS 700D’s completely articulated touchscreen and also a built-in Wi-Fi from EOS 6D.
One new feature of this camera is a new sensor with a 20.2MP resolution. The new sensor has some unique features like the Dual Pixel, CMOS AF design which makes every pixel split into two individually-readable photodiodes that face left and right. What it means is that they are actually capable of phase detection autofocus both in live view and movie mode.
Canon EOS 80D
As EOS 70D’s successor, this camera is also a great solution for devoted photographers. It includes a new 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor, which incorporates Canon’s Dual Pixel on-sensor phase.
Its great advantage is also in being a cross-type with a new 45-point hybrid AF system. It’s a real improvement from the 19-point AF system in the 70D. Still, it isn’t on the same level with 45-point coverage that 7D Mark II has.
Check Price of the Canon 80D on Amazon.
Canon 70D vs Canon 80D Specs
| Camera | Canon EOS 70D | Canon EOS 80D |
| Sensor | 20MP APS-C CMOS | 24MP APS-C CMOS |
| ISO | 100-25600 | 100-25600 |
| AF Points | 19 | 45 |
| White Balance presets | 9 | 10 |
| LCD Screen | 3.0 in fully articulated | 3.0 in fully articulated |
| Video Resolution | 1920 x 1080 MPEG-4 H.264 | 1920 x 1080 MPEG-4 H.264 |
| Shutter Speed | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
| Built-in Flash | yes | yes |
| Available Lenses | 283 | 282 |
| Microphone Port | yes | yes |
| Battery Life | 920 shots | 960 shots |
| Continuous Shooting | 7.0 fps | 7.0 fps |
| Approx. Dimensions | 5.5 x 4.1 x3.1 in. (139.0 x 104.3 x 78.5 mm) | 5.5 x 4.1 x 3.1 in (139.0 x 105.2 x 78.5 mm) |
| Weight | 26.7 oz (755 g) | 25.75 oz (730 g) |
| Viewfinder | Optical/LCD | Optical/LCD |
Detailed Specification Comparison
Sensor
The Large sensor is a very big deal when it comes to cameras, and you should make sure to explore this feature especially when you’re deciding on buying one. The bigger the sensor is, the better. Clearly, Canon EOS 80D wins in this category since its maximum sensor resolution is 24MP as opposed to Canon EOS 70D’s 20MP.
ISO
Comparing these to cameras, in this category seems like they are the same as they both have 100-25600 ISO range.
But what is very important for you to know is that Canon EOS 80D has a better performance in low light being able to go up to ISO 1135 and still making great images, while Canon EOS 70D starts becoming noisy at ISO 926.
This is another clear win for Canon EOS 80D.
White Balance Presets
When you’re shooting there are many things that affect the result of the image. One of the things that can be a big problem is light because it can change the color of the object that you are shooting and the result isn’t going to be the one you wanted.
When you have a problem with the changing of the light, the easiest way to get through this problem is to use White Balance Presets. The more presets there are, the better.
In the case of these two cameras, Canon EOS 80D gets a slim win, but still, this is another one for the 80D’s team.
AF Points
The number of AF points is very important because it helps us make a decision when it comes to focusing on certain parts of the scene.
The bigger the number of AF points is the better, and in this case, we have a clear win of Canon EOS 80D with its 45 AF points opposing Canon EOS 70D’s 19 AF points.
LCD Screen
In this category, we have a tie between these two cameras since they both have a 3.0 inch fully articulated LCD screen with a resolution of 1040 dots. Based on this category we can’t determine a winner.
Video Resolution
Here is another category that can’t help us declare a winner because both of our cameras have exactly the same video resolution of 1920 x 1080. Once again it’s a tie.
Size
The dimensions of your camera are pretty important for you and you will always you will not have trouble carrying around. Between these two cameras, even though there is just a slight difference.
This category’s winner is the Canon EOS 80D.
Built-in-Flash
Another category that can’t be taken as a factor when making a decision which one of these two cameras to buy. Both having a built-in flash, these cameras are tied again.
Available lenses
Both of these cameras have a wide range of lenses that are available for them. But, in this case, Canon EOS 70D has one lens more than Canon EOS 80D.
Even though it’s a slim one, here comes the first win of Canon EOS 70D.
Microphone Port
Having a microphone port on a camera is so great because of the AF motor noise that it eliminates. In this case, both of our cameras have one, so we have to conclude that once more it’s a tie.
Continuous Shooting
Fast continuous shooting is very important when you have to catch something or someone moving fast. In this category, our two cameras have exactly the same continuous shooting of 7.0fps.
And again they are tied.
Battery Life
Battery life is a very important category to review when deciding to buy a camera because it’s very important to know how many shots your camera can take without being charged.
Now, in this case, a clear win goes to Canon EOS 80D once more, since it can make up to 960 shots, while Canon EOS 70D can make 920 shots. Maybe it seems like it’s not that big of a difference, but if you can have the one that can go further than the other one, why not.
Shutter Speed
Once again we can’t decide on a winner because both of our cameras have exactly the same shutter speed of 1/8000s.
Weight
Same as the dimensions, weight is a pretty important thing about a camera to know because no one wants to carry a heavy camera around all day if they can have a lighter one.
Between these two cameras, even though it’s a slim one, the win goes to Canon EOS 80D with its 25.75 oz as opposed to 26.63 oz that Canon EOS 70D weighs.
Viewfinder
Both of our cameras have an optical viewfinder which is great because it doesn’t require any power. But, in this category, a winner is, once again Canon EOS 80D because of its 100% coverage and a magnification ratio of 0.95, while Canon EOS 70D has a 98% coverage and the same magnification ratio as its successor.
A narrow win for the 80D, but still a win.
Shop for the Canon 70D on Amazon.
Shop for the Canon 80D on Amazon.
What types of photography are the 70D and 80D good For?
Knowing the specifications of a camera is very important when you are trying to decide on buying one, but what you should also be familiar with is what type of photography each camera is good at. Here is a simple list to help you choose between these two cameras.
Portrait Photography
If you are trying to decide on a camera based on this category, maybe you should try to explore some more categories because, since, both of these cameras are pretty great in portrait photography.
The Canon EOS 80D has a bit of an advantage over Canon EOS 70D because of its higher resolution sensor of 24.0 MP. Therefore, a slim win for Canon EOS 80D
| Canon EOS 70D | Canon EOS 80D |
| Large APS-C sensor | Large APS-C Sensor |
| High-Resolution Sensor: 20 MP | High-Resolution Sensor: 24.0MP |
| Optical Built-in Viewfinder | Optical Built-in Viewfinder |
| Good Ergonomic Handling | Good Ergonomic Handling |
| No Image Stabilization | No Image Stabilization |
Street Photography
Because both of these two cameras have a large sensor that ensures great quality images and a shallow depth of field, we can say for sure that both of these cameras will perform well in street photography, Therefore, you won’t be sorry if you choose either of these two.
| Canon EOS 70D | Canon EOS 80D |
| Large APS-C sensor | Large APS-C Sensor |
| Live View | Live View |
| Optical Built-in Viewfinder | Optical Built-in Viewfinder |
| Fully Articulated LCD Screen | Fully Articulated LCD Screen |
| Face Detection Focusing | Good Ergonomic Handling |
| No Image Stabilization | No Image Stabilization |
| Large Body | Large Body |
Sports Photography
In this type of photography, it’s very important to have a fast continuous shooting because you want to catch the action. Even though both of these have a very fast continuous shooting, a slight advantage goes to Canon 80D because of a better and good low light ISO.
| Canon EOS 70D | Canon EOS 80D |
| Fast Continuous Shooting (7.0fps) | Fast Continuous Shooting (7.0FPS) |
| Environmental Sealings | Environmental Sealings |
| Fast Max Shutter Speed 1/8000 | Fast Max Shutter Speed 1/8000 |
| 19 Focus Points | 51 Focus Points |
| 19 Cross-Type Focus Sensors | |
| Good Battery life 920 shots | Good Battery life 960 shots |
| Good Low – Light ISO | |
| Wireless Connection | Wireless Connection |
| Good Ergonomic & Handling | Good Ergonomic & Handling |
| Optical Built-In Viewfinder | Optical Built-In Viewfinder |
| No Image Stabilization | No Image Stabilization |
Daily Photography
Even though these two cameras both have a large sensor that is important for daily photography, you should probably rethink buying any of these two if your daily photography is what you’ll focus on. Because they are both pretty heavy and have a large body, they don’t make a good fit for this type of photography.
| Canon EOS 70D | Canon EOS 80D |
| Environmental Sealings | Environmental Sealings |
| Large APS-C Sensor | Large APS-C Sensor |
| Large Body | Large Body |
| Weight 26.6 oz | Weight 25.7 oz |
| Body Thickness 79mm | Body Thickness 76mm |
Landscape Photography
Both of these cameras have some great features that are important for landscape photography, but Canon EOS 80D’s high-resolution sensor of 24.0 MP makes it a perfect fit for landscape photography because it makes it possible to capture plenty of fine details and also makes it possible for you to print them larger.
| Canon EOS 70D | Canon EOS 80D |
| Large APS-C sensor | Large APS-C Sensor |
| Live View | Live View |
| High-Resolution Sensor 20 MP | High-Resolution Sensor 24 MP |
| Environmental Sealing | Environmental Sealing |
Customer Stories
What people like about the Canon EOS 70D
- Easy to use
- High-quality photos
Read reviews of the 70D on Amazon
What people like about the Canon EOS 80D
- Good all-around camera
- Excellent low light performance
- Great video shooting
Read reviews of the 80D on Amazon
Conclusion
Now that we’ve reviewed both of these cameras it’s time to proclaim a winner. Even though these are great cameras with great specs, we have to say that Canon EOS 80D has a bit of an advantage over Canon EOS 70D.
If you look again at the specifications table, you can see for yourself that Canon EOS 80D has a little bit better features than its predecessor.
Still, both of these cameras are great at what they do, and even though Canon EOS 80D has a bit of an advantage, you can see that both of them are good in all types of photography.
So if you already have Canon EOS 70D, the 80D probably does not offer much of an upgrade. If you are looking to upgrade from your point and shoot, Canon EOS 80D gets the nod over the 70D for new purchases.
Hopefully, this article was helpful to you. All you need to do now is grab a camera you decided on and go make some great photos.
