Is the Canon 70D Still Relevant in 2025?

Back in 2013, I purchased my first proper DSLR—the Canon 70D. It was my gateway into professional photography, and I used it as my main camera until the end of 2022. Over the past seven years, I’ve undertaken paid shoots and relied on the 70D for countless events, portraits, and commercial work. Now, in 2025, my primary camera is the Fujifilm X-T5, but I still keep the 70D as a secondary camera. Despite its age, it remains a reliable and highly capable piece of gear. So, is the Canon 70D still relevant in 2025? Let’s break it down.

Canon 70d with Tamron 18-250mm F3.5-6.3: The camera was the perfect choice for African Safari

Pros

1. Very Reliable

The Canon 70D has never let me down. It has handled a variety of conditions—low light, fast action, and demanding shoots—without any issues. Even after years of use, it remains dependable.

2. Looks Professional

Even though it’s over a decade old, the 70D still has the look and feel of a professional camera. For clients who equate bigger DSLRs with high-end photography, this can be an advantage.

3. Affordable in 2025

The second-hand market for the Canon 70D is incredibly affordable now. For beginner photographers or those looking for a solid secondary camera, it offers great value.

4. Great Features

With its Dual Pixel Autofocus, flip-out touchscreen, and respectable ISO performance, the 70D still holds up in many shooting scenarios. The touchscreen, in particular, is still one of the best in terms of usability and responsiveness.

5. Silent Shooting Mode

A rare but valuable feature in DSLR cameras, the 70D includes a silent shooting mode that suppresses the loud clack of the shutter. This is essential for event photography, particularly during weddings and ceremonies where discretion is key.

Canon 70d with EF 18-135mm F3.5-5.6: Even with the kit lens the low light capabilities are nothing to be worried about

The Middle Ground

20.2 Megapixels—Is It Enough?

Compared to my Fujifilm X-T5’s 40.2MP sensor, the 70D’s 20.2MP might seem lacking. However, in practical use, this has never been a major issue. I’ve printed A3-sized images and delivered corporate marketing photos without a single client ever questioning the resolution. If you’re worried about megapixels, it’s often a sign that you’re cropping too much rather than an issue with the camera itself. No amount of resolution can fix poor composition.

Canon 70d with EF 18-135mm F3.5-5.6: For 95% of scenarios the 20.2MP will be more than enough to satisfy

Cons

1. Heavy Compared to Modern Mirrorless Cameras

With the rise of lightweight mirrorless cameras, the Canon 70D feels noticeably heavy. If you’re used to modern compact setups, the 70D can feel bulky, especially for long shoots.

2. Aging Hardware and Harder-to-Find Components

Although spare parts and batteries are still available, they are becoming harder to source. As technology advances, maintaining an older camera will only get more challenging.

3. Single SD Card Slot

For professional photography, a major drawback of the 70D is its single SD card slot. In paid event photography, redundancy is critical. If your single SD card fails mid-shoot, you could lose valuable client images. This alone might be a deal breaker for some professionals.

3. Dated Autofocus

When the Canon 70D is in complex environments, such as where there are many faces or lots of layers in the image, the autofocus can become confused and keep all subjects in the image out of focus. I have left this as the final issue as compared to many cameras in the mid 2010's the autofocus works well. Along with this you can remove this issue by selecting the area of focus on the viewscreen and let the autofocus make that point into focus rather than the camera having to choose which subject is most important.

Canon 70d with Tamron 18-250mm F3.5-6.3: The colours straight from the camera are sharp and satisfying

Final Verdict

The Canon 70D remains an excellent camera in 2025. It’s reliable, affordable, and packed with useful features. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly secondary camera or an entry point into photography, it’s still a fantastic option. However, for professional use, the lack of a dual card slot and its aging hardware might be limiting. If you can accept those risks, the 70D is a powerhouse that still deserves respect.

Would I still recommend the Canon 70D? Absolutely—but only if you understand its limitations and strengths. If you’re after an ever-reliable backup camera, the 70D is a great choice, as long as you can live with the single SD card slot gamble.