• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 90.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Panasonic LX7

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 1.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 3.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    618 vs 147 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More pixels
    12.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Panasonic LX7 advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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
    11.1 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    12 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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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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.

  • Read our Panasonic GF5 Review

  • Fast lens; Sharp lens; Rock-solid image stabilization; Fast autofocus and shutter lag; Level gauge.

  • Sluggish startup; Battery life lower; Switches can change accidentally; Slow buffer clearing.

  • Read our Panasonic LX7 Review

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

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic LX7
Olympus E-PL3
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More dynamic range
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic LX7 vs Olympus E-PL3

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

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic LX7
Olympus E-PM1
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • More dynamic range
  • Internal flash
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic LX7 vs Olympus E-PM1

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic LX7
Panasonic GF3X
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic LX7 vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Samsung EX2F

Panasonic GF5
Samsung EX2F
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $479
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Samsung EX2F

Panasonic LX7
Samsung EX2F
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More dots on screen
  • $479
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic LX7 vs Samsung EX2F

Compared to Panasonic LX10

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic LX10
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $548
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic LX10

Panasonic LX7
Panasonic LX10
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $548
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic LX7 vs Panasonic LX10

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