Canon 70D vs Nikon D7100

Explore 9 sample photos taken by the Canon EOS 70D

Has a touch screen

Yes vs No

Fewer buttons to worry about and direct interaction with camera menus

Much less shutter lag

75 ms vs 251 ms

3.3x less delay when taking photos

Has a flip-out screen

Yes vs No

Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies

Faster video autofocus

Phase detection vs Contrast detection

Shoot videos without worrying about focus

Shoots faster

7 fps vs 6 fps

Around 20% faster continuous shooting

Better maximum light sensitivity

12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO

The 70D's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better

Slightly more cross-type focus points

19 vs 15

Grab focus in difficult situations

Slightly cheaper

$855.75 vs $996.94

The best price we've seen is $141 cheaper (more than 10% less)

Learn more about
the Canon 70D

Significantly better image quality

83.0 vs 68.0

More than 20% better image quality

More dynamic range

13.7 EV vs 11.6 EV

2.1 f-stops more dynamic range

Significantly larger screen

3.2" vs 3.0"

Around 10% larger screen

Better color depth

24.2 bits vs 22.5 bits

Distinguishes 1.7 more bits of color

Higher resolution screen

1,229k dots vs 1,040k dots

Around 20% higher resolution screen

Lower noise at high ISO

1,256 ISO vs 926 ISO

The D7100 has a slight edge (0.4 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance

Significantly more focus points

51 vs 19

Set focus accurately within the frame

Less startup delay

300 ms vs 700 ms

2.3x less delay when turning on

Has a built-in focus motor

Yes vs No

Autofocuses with all autofocus lenses

Has more storage slots

2 vs 1

More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards

Higher true resolution

24 MP vs 20 MP

Capture more than 20% more detail in your photos

Better viewfinder coverage

100% vs 98%

Almost the same

Slightly larger viewfinder

0.61x vs 0.59x

Around 10% larger viewfinder

Slightly more lenses available

205 lenses vs 197 lenses

Almost the same

Smaller

136x107x76 mm vs 145x106x79 mm

Around 10% smaller

Thinner

3" vs 3.1"

Almost the same

Lighter

675 g vs 755 g

More than 10% lighter

Learn more about
the Nikon D7100

Which camera do we recommend? Relative to the best recent DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS 70D 83

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85 Nikon D7100

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Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths

	Weather sealed
	Shoot in extreme weather

Many lenses available

70D:	197 lenses
D7100:	205 lenses

	Focus continuously recording movies
	Makes it easy to get in-focus movies

	Both have pentaprism viewfinders
	Pentaprism

	Fast max shutter speeds
	1/8000 of a second

	Each has a built-in flash
	External flash not needed

Common Weaknesses

	No built-in GPS
	Missing geo-tagging

	No image stabilization
	Risk of blur

Image quality data for the Canon 70D provided by DxOMark
Image quality data for the Nikon D7100 provided by DxOMark

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D5300

Entry-level DSLR

$697 body only

$797 with 18-55mm lens

Is slightly smaller

Has a built-in GPS

Has a slower max shutter speed

Significantly less viewfinder coverage

Compare the D5300 vs the EOS 70D

Compare the D5300 vs the D7100

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$849 - $970 body only

$1,299 with 18-135mm lens

Shoots faster continuously

Is slightly heavier

Lacks a built in HDR feature

Compare the EOS 7D vs the EOS 70D

Compare the EOS 7D vs the D7100

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$600 with 18-55mm lens

Is slightly heavier

Lacks a built in HDR feature

Compare the D7000 vs the EOS 70D

Compare the D7000 vs the D7100

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Pro DSLR

$1,699 body only

$2,049 with 18-135mm lens

Shoots faster continuously

Has slightly more focus points

Is slightly more expensive

Is slightly heavier

Compare the EOS 7D Mark II vs the EOS 70D

Compare the EOS 7D Mark II vs the D7100

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$699 - $719 body only

$899 - $1,182 with 18-135mm lens

Is thicker

Slightly less viewfinder coverage

Compare the EOS 60D vs the EOS 70D

Compare the EOS 60D vs the D7100

Nikon D5500

Entry-level DSLR

$797 body only

$897 with 18-55mm lens

Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity

Is slightly smaller

Has a slower max shutter speed

Significantly less viewfinder coverage

Compare the D5500 vs the EOS 70D

Compare the D5500 vs the D7100

Canon EOS 6D

Pro DSLR

$1,328 - $1,399 body only

$1,799 - $1,999 with 24-105mm lens

Is significantly less noisy at high ISO

Significantly larger viewfinder

Has a slower max shutter speed

Doesn't have a built-in flash

Compare the EOS 6D vs the EOS 70D

Compare the EOS 6D vs the D7100

Canon EOS 70D Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EOS 70D.

Nikon D7100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D7100.

EOS 70D

Canon

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D7100

Nikon

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Showing 25 comments

Joell J

(11:12 PM, February 18, 2015)

Not just that also Nikon has time lapse built inside and it shoot video a 1080p at 60fps. Touch screen and all are not big deal. Selecting a focus point on Nikon is also easy. The weather sealing is better on Nikon. Canon is old technology's always. Wifi is not a big deal go ahead and buy it. It will be the same price as canon 70d. Nikon d7100 wins. Agree?

kishore

(4:42 PM, January 24, 2015)

whic is the best camera - Canon 70D or Nikon D7100. Please give me a opinion

herlucidsky

(4:06 PM, November 29, 2014)

Hi Romesh,

Thank you for taking out the time to respond. You are absolutely right. I've been doing a lot of research for some time now and the more information I learn, the more I appreciate what talented photographers do and the more it is clear that the lens and the photographer's skill set are what matters most. It is definitely an art for sure! I have a new found respect for photography. I feel like a child who has just stumbled into this foreign/magical world of photography of some sorts.

I am very serious about learning every and anything about photography. But I'll be honest, I am not looking forward to the tedious task of post-processing. But I understand it is necessary.

So you mentioned the nikon would be best for those who are lazy about post-processing, are you saying that the the nikon is a little better at catching "realness" or better details?

Thanks :)

Romesh

(10:34 AM, November 27, 2014)

Photography is an art. You are creating photos so post-processing is an essential part of photography. In that sense image quality out of the camera doesn't matter much. If you're shooting RAW, you can dramatically change the look of your photos. Personally for me I don't care what the camera is as long as it can shoot RAW. Having said that I prefer Canon because I'm used to the buttons layout and I have Canon lenses. To answer your question. Unless you're serious about learning photography buying an expensive camera body is pointless. You can start with something like Canon 700D or Nikon D5300. As you learn more about photography you'll realize lenses matters more than camera bodies. And if you're lazy to learn about post-processing I think Nikon will be better for you. :)

herlucidsky

(9:34 PM, November 21, 2014)

Hi there,
From all the reading and reviews I've done thus far, it seems like the Nikon is better for photos and the Canon for videos. Someone mentioned that Canon 70D pictures are only better once you play around with the modes? Then would you suggest this camera for someone who is at the novice stage, interested in both superb photo quality as well as video quality(beauty related)? Is it more about how one uses the camera vs the camera specs that produces the best photos? Is it worth all the hype or should I start out with something like the Canon rebel T3i, T5i etc or the Canon 60D? Or should I just start with Nikon D7100 since I won't have to do much with the modes in order to get good quality photos? I apologize for the million questions. This is all so overwhelming.

herlucidsky

(8:19 PM, November 21, 2014)

Hmmm. So the Canon 70D pictures are only better once you play around with the modes? Then would you suggest this camera for someone who is at the novice stage, interested in both superb photo quality as well as video quality(beauty related)? Is it more about how one uses the camera vs the camera specs that produces the best photos? Is it worth all the hype or should I start out with something like the Canon rebel T3i, T5i etc or the Canon 60D? Or should I just start with Nikon D7100 since I won't have to do much with the modes in order to get good quality photos? I apologize for the million questions. This is all so overwhelming.

justd80010

(11:08 AM, October 20, 2014)

But you max the buffer more quickly on the Nikon than on the Canon when that setting is on and you're in the continuous shooting mode.

KP

(7:43 AM, October 20, 2014)

"As far as ease of use the 70D trumps the 7100, as it does in the area of continuous shooting in both JPEG and RAW modes"

7100 also shoots in JPEG and RAW simultaneously.

Will

(4:34 PM, October 07, 2014)

I want to say something to all those people who say Nikon's image quality blows Canon out of the water. And... when they put down so-called entry level cameras. First (out of the box) my D5200 takes awesome pics, while my Canon 70D pics are kinda washed out..well.. then you go into the shooting modes and play with the contrast and the sharpness and poof... now my Canon 70D pics are as good if not better than the D5200. When people talk about quality chances are they have never learned the real power of these cameras... just my opinon.. I could be wrong.

Cas Sit

(6:31 AM, September 30, 2014)

nikon is better in image quality so i will upgrade my nikon d60 to nikon d7100......

SelimTheDream

(10:23 AM, August 21, 2014)

I was having a similar debate between Nikon D7000 and Canon 7D in the past when I decided to upgrade my Canon 60D. I went for Nikon because of all the reviews and snapshot scores etc. Everywhere I would see D7000 had better image quality blah blah blah. After using the D7000 for a few months I always had my mind on my old 60D and wished I had it several times. In the end I sold the D7000 for quite a substantial loss on my part and bought a Canon 7D. I was so happy with it in every aspect and NEVER and I mean NEVER thought "I wish I had the D7000 now". Reviews, online scores, comments etc could be misleading. If you have the possibility try both cameras and decide for yourself or if you don't have that chance check on youtube for side by side reviews, image samples etc. There are better ways of comparing cameras then looking at online scores.

As to my two cents about these cameras: D7000 for indoor photography Canon for outdoor and for videos Canon all the way. This is from my experience with both brands with several different cameras.

WMS

(10:05 PM, July 22, 2014)

most people don't even print, the just post on social network sites or email pictures!

WMS

(9:53 PM, July 22, 2014)

Same here, I am torn between the Canon 70D & Nikon D7100!

heisenberg

(11:34 AM, July 21, 2014)

Shutter lag for the D7100 is incorrect. This reference states 55ms: http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/nikon-d7100/nikon-d7100A6.HTM. 251ms is the lag doing full focus w/18-105mm lens.
Canon 70D price is $999 not $199.

pfahli

(9:27 PM, July 14, 2014)

Since the 70D and the STM-Lenses, autofocus is as good as focusing manually. It doesn't make any noise and focuses way more exact than a normal person can focus. And with the adjusting of the focus speed you can get cinema-like effects without having to buy expensive equipment. I only focused manually with my old lenses, as the focus was bad (pumping) and the noise distracted the microphone, but since those new two technologies this has gone completely obsolete.
I couldn't imagine, that the camera was so perfectly quiet and it really blew my mind when I tried it the first time!

Piotrek Ka

(8:38 PM, June 28, 2014)

I have a 70d so I may be biased. If u want to shoot both pic and video go for Canon. If u care more about just pics, take nikon. I got canon coz I alredy have much canon stuff (lenses, flash lamp etc)

peter zhou

(5:20 PM, June 25, 2014)

70D price is incorrect, $199.95 should be $999

rama

(7:32 AM, June 05, 2014)

Go back to the drawing board?? While incorporating a trend-setter (better technology for autofocus), Canon has already gone to the drawing board! Both these Canon & Nikon models are equally good. But ultimately, the marketing approach by a Company (e.g., availability at the sales counters, technical support, price of the lenses etc) that decides the sales & profitability! Both models started with (almost) same price. But today, Nikon is costlier by USD 100-150.

AVINASH BALAKRISHNAN

(1:36 PM, June 01, 2014)

Except on wedding where you might need high ISO, The Canon 70D is the best general purpose camera (outdoor and all). The D7100 if you shoot in low-light like weddings (indoor lightings not good enough).

AVINASH BALAKRISHNAN

(1:34 PM, June 01, 2014)

If its and overall camera and value for money go for Canon 70D. Or rather, go for Nikon D7100, if you want more dynamic range in your photos(nature) , if your always zooming about 400%(which most people don't need and you need high ISO (which most people probably won't shoot). For everything else, go for the Canon EOS 70D.

jack

(7:13 AM, June 01, 2014)

shud i go 4 Canon 70d or Nikon D7100 pliz help me I m confuse

Rishabh Sharma

(3:48 PM, May 20, 2014)

If u want good image quality ....go with Nikon d7100 ..
In video department ..canon kills ...

Kristian Alekov

(10:33 PM, May 12, 2014)

I was screaming while reading your post. Were you yelling while typing it or did your cap lock key get stuck? So the review states 86 vs 85 points and they call it a tie. They should've read your post before the assessment. ;)

Abdo Hosny

(3:17 PM, May 12, 2014)

Nikon D7100 best photos and Canon best video but on my opinion Nikon D7100 The best .

justd80010

(2:36 AM, May 12, 2014)

On the basis of image quality alone the Nikon appears to win. But overall the Canon seems to be the better platform in this price range. The 7100 has better low light focus with the assist light but the Canon performs better at ISO over 6400. The HDR on the 7100 appears hands down superior to that of the 70D and, as always, Nikon renders superior whites, while Canon has warmer, more true to the eye color capture. As far as ease of use the 70D trumps the 7100, as it does in the area of continuous shooting in both JPEG and RAW modes. Side by side I don't think many could discern the difference in image quality between the two platforms, looking beyond that, ease of use, Wi-Fi, usable images at high ISO, buffer performance and usable images in continuous shooting setting the Canon is overall a better dollar for dollar.

Nikon D7100 vs Canon EOS 70D

Reasons to buy the Nikon D7100

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 70D

galleries

differences

Advantages of the Canon 70D

Advantages of the Nikon D7100

recommendations

Which camera do we recommend? Relative to the best recent DSLRs, and ignoring price

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

dxomark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D5300

Canon EOS 7D

Nikon D7000

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Canon EOS 60D

Nikon D5500

Canon EOS 6D

Canon EOS 70D Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D7100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

appearance

discussion

Showing 25 comments