• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Canon G16

  • Less expensive
    $430 vs $499*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Higher effective ISO
    618 vs 230 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.31 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)

Canon G16 advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 770 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 60 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.5 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GF5

Review Excerpt

  • Small body pairs nicely with compact, retractable Power Zoom lens. Extremely fast autofocus. Worthwhile improvements in image quality. Touchscreen overlays can now be hidden.

  • LCD panel is prone to fingerprint smudges. Weak flash, and no hot shoe. Modest burst performance, and very limited buffer for raw shooting. Noise levels and dynamic range still lag competition.

  • AF speed vastly improved; Increased continuous frames per second (JPEGs at 12.5fps vs 10fps in G15); Solid build and ergonomic, comfortable feel; Excellent f/1.8-2.8 5x optical zoom lens; Advanced photographic features, including PASM dial and RAW capture; Dedicated ISO button; Customizable buttons; Excellent macro mode; 1080p/60fps Full HD video.

  • LCD screen not articulated; Larger design makes it not very pocketable; Optical viewfinder not very accurate; RAW burst shooting still slow; Wi-Fi is clunky to set-up & no remote shooting capabilities; No built-in GPS.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
Canon G16
Olympus E-PL3
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PM1
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Hot shoe
Canon G16
Olympus E-PM1
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3
Canon G16
Panasonic GF3X
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus XZ-2

Panasonic GF5
Olympus XZ-2
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
Canon G16
Olympus XZ-2
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon G15

Panasonic GF5
Canon G15
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon G16
Canon G15
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
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