Panasonic GH2 vs Canon SL1

Cameras
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Panasonic GH2 vs Canon SL1

4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 160 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH2 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the GH2.

APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon SL1 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon SL1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL1.
Compare Canon SL1 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon SL1 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH3
Compare GH2 vs GH3

Succeeded by the Canon SL2
Compare SL1 vs SL2

Compare PANASONIC GH3 vs CANON SL2

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Differences

Panasonic GH2 advantages over Canon SL1

Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
More telephoto lens reach
280 mm vs 88 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
More viewfinder magnification
0.71x vs 0.54x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots

Canon SL1 advantages over Panasonic GH2

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.30 vs 3.48 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
~0.60 vs 1.1 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
SL1 test data on DxO Mark GH2 test data on DxO Mark

843 vs 655 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Lighter weight
623g vs 942g
Lighter weight
More dots on screen
1040k vs 460k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Bigger JPEG buffer
1140 vs 9 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH2 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SL1 User Reviews

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Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

Review Excerpt

Read our Panasonic GH2 Review

Extremely compact and lightweight for a DSLR; Delivers good image quality that's virtually identical to the Canon T4i/T5i; Accurate and relatively fast autofocus with improved Live View and Movie Hybrid CMOS II AF; Full 1080p HD movie recording; Better-than average kit lens (EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM).
Still not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Slightly worse than average dynamic range and high ISO performance; Poor battery life.
Read our Canon SL1 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GH1

Panasonic GH2

Panasonic GH1

$1500
4/3

Fast startup
More pixels

$1315
4/3

Higher effective ISO
Thinner

Compare Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic GH1

Canon SL1

Panasonic GH1

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Touchscreen

$1315
4/3

Tiltable Screen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon SL1 vs Panasonic GH1

Compared to Panasonic G2

Panasonic GH2

Panasonic G2

$1500
4/3

Higher effective ISO
More dynamic range

$800
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic G2

Canon SL1

Panasonic G2

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Touchscreen

$800
4/3

Tiltable Screen
More viewfinder magnification

Compare Canon SL1 vs Panasonic G2

Compared to Panasonic G5

Panasonic GH2

Panasonic G5

$1500
4/3

More telephoto lens reach
Shoots 24p video

$550
4/3

Touchscreen
Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic G5

Canon SL1

Panasonic G5

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$550
4/3

Tiltable Screen
More viewfinder magnification

Compare Canon SL1 vs Panasonic G5

Compared to Sony A58

Panasonic GH2

Sony A58

$1500
4/3

Lens selection
Fast startup

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Panasonic GH2 vs Sony A58

Canon SL1

Sony A58

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Touchscreen

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL1 vs Sony A58

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Panasonic GH2

Pentax K-S1

$1500
4/3

Tiltable Screen
More telephoto lens reach

$502
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K-S1

Canon SL1

Pentax K-S1

$549
APS-C

Touchscreen
On-sensor phase detect

$502
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL1 vs Pentax K-S1

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