It's always interesting to revisit a camera that, for its time, really hit a sweet spot for many photographers. The Canon EOS 70D, launched back in July 2013, was one of those cameras. It wasn't the absolute top-tier professional model, nor was it a basic entry-level DSLR, but it offered a compelling blend of features that made it a favorite for enthusiasts and even some pros looking for a capable, reliable workhorse.
What made the 70D stand out? Well, Canon packed it with a 20.2-megapixel CMOS sensor, which was pretty solid for its era, and crucially, it introduced their Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology. This was a game-changer for live view and video autofocus, making it smoother and more responsive than many competitors at the time. For anyone who used live view frequently, or shot a lot of video, this was a significant upgrade.
When we look at how the 70D compares to its contemporaries and successors, it's clear it held its own. For instance, when you line it up against its direct successor, the Canon EOS 80D, the 80D naturally scores higher overall (87 vs. 68). This is expected; technology marches on, and the 80D brought improvements in areas like autofocus and sensor performance. However, the 70D's score of 68 is still respectable, especially considering its age.
It's also telling to see how it fared against cameras from other brands. Against the Nikon D7200, the Nikon came out ahead with a score of 87 compared to the 70D's 68. Similarly, the Sony A6300 (85) and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 (75) also generally outscored the 70D in comparative tests. Even the Olympus PEN-F, a more style-focused camera, scored a bit higher at 74. The Leica M9, a very different kind of camera, scored 69, very close to the 70D.
Digging into the specs, the 70D is a reflex camera with an eye-level pentaprism viewfinder offering about 98% coverage. It boasts a 19-point autofocus system, with all points being cross-type, and the center point being dual cross-type for f/2.8 lenses. This was quite advanced for its time, offering good subject tracking capabilities. Shutter speeds range from 1/8000 to 30 seconds, and it can shoot continuously at up to 7 frames per second, with a buffer that could handle around 40 JPEGs or 15 RAW files on a UHS-I card.
For video enthusiasts, the 70D offered Full HD (1080p) recording at 30p, 25p, or 24p, and 720p at 60p or 50p. The inclusion of Dual Pixel CMOS AF here was particularly beneficial, allowing for smoother focus transitions during recording. It supported both IPB and ALL-I compression, giving users options for file size and quality.
While newer models have certainly surpassed it in raw performance, the Canon EOS 70D remains a testament to thoughtful design and feature integration. It offered a robust build, excellent image quality for its class, and that groundbreaking autofocus system that made it a joy to use for many. For those who might still have one, or are considering a used option, it's a camera that still has plenty to offer, especially if you appreciate its handling and the tactile experience of a DSLR.
