Canon EOS 70D vs Canon EOS 500D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 70D and Canon EOS 500D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS 70D were released 2013 and Canon EOS 500D was released 2009. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 70D 2013
Canon EOS 500D 2009

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Canon APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 70D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Canon EOS 500D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 70D has a 20,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 500D has 15,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 70D 20,2 MP
19961856 pixels
5472 x 3648
Canon EOS 500D 15,1 MP
15054336 pixels
4752 x 3168

Canon EOS 70D has a 33 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 500D. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 70D 100-12800
Canon EOS 500D 100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 70D
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 500D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 70D can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 500D can shoot up to 3,4 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 70D 7
Canon EOS 500D 3,4

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Canon EOS 70D and Canon EOS 500D can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 70D weighs 755 gr (equal to 1.66 lb) which is 45% heavier than Canon EOS 500D and its 520 gr (or 1.15 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 70D 755 gr
1.66 lb
Canon EOS 500D 520 gr
1.15 lb

Canon EOS 70D vs Canon EOS 500D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 70D and Canon EOS 500D, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS 70D
Canon EOS 500D
Name Canon EOS 70D Canon EOS 500D
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 70D
Canon EOS 500D
Release Year 2013 2009
Release Date 2013-07-02 2009-03-25
MSRP 1199 USD 1599 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 70D
Canon EOS 500D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 70D
Canon EOS 500D
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5472 x 3648 pixels 4752 x 3168 pixels
Megapixels 20,2 MP 15,1 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 5+ DIGIC 4
Image
Canon EOS 70D
Canon EOS 500D
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 70D
Canon EOS 500D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 19 9
Lens Mount Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 70D
Canon EOS 500D
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1040000 920000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type Clear View II TFT color LCD TFT color LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 98% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.) 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 70D
Canon EOS 500D
Frames per second 7 fps 3,4 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters 13 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 70D
Canon EOS 500D
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Canon EOS 70D
Canon EOS 500D
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 70D
Canon EOS 500D
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (RS-60E3 cable release, RC-6 wireless remote, or using smartphone over Wi-Fi)
Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed)
GPS Yes
Optional through GP-E2
No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 70D
Canon EOS 500D
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E5 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 920 shots 440 shots
Width 139 mm 129 mm
Height 104 mm 98 mm
Depth 79 mm 62 mm
Weight 755 gram 520 gram