• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 15.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

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Differences

Canon 50D advantages over Panasonic G5

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.99 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 1.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 640 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    216 mm vs 84 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    43 vs 18 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Panasonic G5 advantages over Canon 50D

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.59x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle kit lens
    28 mm vs 45 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Panasonic G5
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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens
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Review Excerpt

  • Small, compact body with excellent focusing and exposure capabilities; Newly enhanced touchpanel LCD screen makes image capture and review a joy; Excellent HD video recording quality.

  • Some controls difficult to access; Too easy to activate menus and options while shooting; Lack of a microphone-in jack limits video recording usefulness.

  • Read our Panasonic G5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung GX-20

Canon 50D
Samsung GX-20
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Samsung GX-20

Panasonic G5
Samsung GX-20
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Samsung GX-20

Compared to Pentax K-7

Canon 50D
Pentax K-7
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Pentax K-7

Panasonic G5
Pentax K-7
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Canon 50D
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Sony DSLR-A550

Panasonic G5
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Panasonic G6

Canon 50D
Panasonic G6
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Canon 50D vs Panasonic G6

Panasonic G5
Panasonic G6
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic G6

Compared to Panasonic G7

Canon 50D
Panasonic G7
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Canon 50D vs Panasonic G7

Panasonic G5
Panasonic G7
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic G7

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