Canon 60D vs 70D Camera | 2021 Comparison & Reviews

Last Updated: October 17, 2018

In an epic battle between the Canon 60D vs. the Canon 70D, which do you think would come out on top? Three years after the introduction of its classic enthusiast-level DSLR body, Canon introduced a replacement model. They claimed to improve on almost every one of the 60D’s features.

These middle-of-the-ground marvels have a lot of strengths and weaknesses in common. However, do the few differences between them distinguish a clear winner?

Does the 70D live up to its promises? Does the 60D outlast its closest competitor?

Which is better for an aspiring amateur photographer? Read on to learn more about these two very similar cameras. Find out our final verdict.

Canon 60D & 70D Camera Comparison

	Canon 60D	Canon 70D

Best For	Frequent Travellers	Aspiring Professionals
Price	See Price on Amazon	See Price on Amazon
Megapixels	18	20.2
Processor	DIGIC 4	DIGIC 5+
Max Shutter Speed	1 / 8000	1 / 8000
Autofocus Points	9	19
Max ISO	6400	12,800
Weight	1,234 g	1,233 g
Dimensions	5.7 x 4.2 x 3.1 in.	5.5 x 4.1 x 3.1 in.
Touchscreen Size	3.0 in.	3.0 in.
Battery Life	1100 shots	920 shots
4K Video	No	No

Here’s what we cover in the review:

Sensor

Every professional knows that larger sensors mean cleaner low-light images. They also mean vastly wider dynamic ranges, and deeper, richer color palettes.

Both DSLR cameras shoot at the same video quality. That is a respectable, if outdated, 1080p. However, their still shooting capabilities differ vastly.

The Canon 70D comes fitted with a totally new APS-C CMOS sensor. It sports an impressive 20.2 megapixels. It also boasts an optical low-pass filter. That gives it crystal-clear image quality.

Those numbers slightly outstrip the Canon 60D. That one boasts just 18 megapixels. Its sensor is also 0.2mm smaller than the 70D’s.

However, that is unlikely to cause much of a difference in overall image quality. The differences between these sensors are quite minor. However, it may make a big difference when shooting in low light or printing images in high resolution.

Processor

The 70D is also home to the same DIGIC 5+ processor used in the Canon 6D. That significantly boosts its color accuracy and noise reduction capabilities.

The 60D runs on the older DIGIC 4 processor. That one is powerful but not quite as speedy as its relative.

Another area in which modern processors often excel is their light sensitivity. With a new and improved processor on board, the Canon 70D also promises higher sensitivity and more robust low-light capabilities.

The 70D’s native range stretches from ISO 100—12,800, expanding on the 60D’s ISO 100—6400 range considerably. While the 60D’s range only expands to ISO 12,800, the Canon 70D can reach ISO 25,600 while still achieving admirably clear results.

A more advanced processor also means swifter burst shooting. The Canon 70D edges out its competitor in this category as well, offering 7fps to its rival’s noticeably more sluggish 5.3fps.

Nimble and powerful, the 70D doesn’t just beat out the 60D—in some cases, it approaches full-frame professional models like the Canon 6D.

Shooting Speed

The speed of a camera often boils down to three main requirements: its autofocus system, its processor, and its boot-up capabilities. We’ve already established that the 70D has a superior processor, but how do its other features stack up?

The Canon 70D has 19 cross-type autofocus points, which is more than double its predecessor. Its shutter lag is also much less noticeable, and its JPEG and RAW shooting speed is faster.

As any professional can testify, more responsive performance often means the difference between a frustrating photography experience and a pleasant, exhilarating one.

It also has burst mode bragging rights, capable of a blistering 6.7 frames per second in comparison to the 60D’s slightly tamer 5.2. With a significantly larger JPEG buffer—65 shots to the 60D’s rather lackluster 35—the 70D can nail down twice as many shots before stopping for a break.

One advantage that the Canon 60D can boast over its rival is a faster startup time. This feature tends to carry the most importance for wildlife and sports photographers who can’t bear the thought of missing a beautiful shot.

While the gap between the two cameras’ startup speeds isn’t too significant—a mere 0.40 seconds, in comparison to 0.70—it might make all the difference in a fast-paced shooting situation.

LCD Screen and Viewfinder

Although the Canon 70D borrows its ancestor’s gorgeous, 3-inch fully articulating LCD screen, it adds a new feature: touch capabilities. Taking a leaf out of flagship Canon models, the 70D allows you to swipe between images, navigate menus, and even pinpoint your focus with the tap of a finger.

The 70D also features two photodiodes for every pixel site and implements dual phase-detection autofocus. This detail might sound perplexingly technical, but simply means that autofocus is quite a bit nimbler when shooting Youtube video or operating in Live View.

If you plan to spend a lot of time capturing video or taking advantage of that high-resolution screen, then you’ll probably want to opt for the increased flexibility of the Canon 70D.

However, most photographers prefer to use the optical viewfinder to compose their shots. Both cameras feature a crisp pentaprism viewfinder, but the Canon 70D offers 98% coverage to the 60D’s 96%. That’s as close to complete coverage as you’ll find in any similarly priced enthusiast-level machine.

Additional Features

Both models are capable of accepting Canon’s full lineup of EF & EF-S mount lenses.

Taking the cue from its full-frame relatives, the 70D is the first enthusiast-level Canon model to implement Wi-Fi connectivity. Unlike the clunky interfaces that tend to come as standard on enthusiast-level cameras, the 70D’s menus are smooth and intuitive to use.

This upgrade comes at a price, however. While adding wireless connectivity to the 70D, Canon decided to strip away the GPS function that allows you to effortlessly geotag your photos and track your photographic journeys. The 60D still has full GPS functionality, which might be enough to tempt adventurers away from the shinier new model.

Note: Both the 60D & 70D do NOT come with built-in GPS technology.

If you’re looking for a camera that lasts all day, then the Canon 60D may actually be a smarter choice. Its lack of flashy, modern features means that its battery life is significantly better. Expect to shoot around 1100 images on the 60D, compared to a maximum of 950 on its competitor.

Our Verdict

When you examine the details, the Canon 70D is this contest’s clear winner. A more powerful sensor, a more precise autofocus system, and a wider array of advanced features and functionalities make the 70D not just the superior choice, but one of the best enthusiast-level cameras on the market.

Some camera redesigns made painful trade-offs to add new features, but it’s hard to imagine a scenario in which the 60D would come out on top. The Canon 70D is leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessor in almost every category, making it a smart buy for any budding photography enthusiast.