Canon 70D vs Panasonic GH5

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Canon 70D vs Panasonic GH5

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APS-C 337.5mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon 70D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 70D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 70D.
Compare Canon 70D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 70D conclusion.

4/3 224.9mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH5 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GH5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GH5.
Compare Panasonic GH5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GH5 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon 80D
Compare 70D vs 80D

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5 II
Compare GH5 vs GH5 II

Compare CANON 80D vs PANASONIC GH5 II

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Differences

Canon 70D advantages over Panasonic GH5

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Less expensive
$999 vs $1298
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 4.11 vs 3.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.70 vs 1.0 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.
70D test data on DxO Mark GH5 test data on DxO Mark

926 vs 807 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

920 vs 410 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic GH5 advantages over Canon 70D

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
GH5 test data on DxO Mark 70D test data on DxO Mark

13.0 vs 11.6 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Newer
8 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More viewfinder magnification
0.76x vs 0.59x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
11.9 fps vs 6.7 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
600 vs 65 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.9 fps vs 6.7 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
65 vs 14 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Tilt-swivel screen
Both provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 70D User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH5 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon 70D

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All 70D Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GH5

Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaking Kit
Kit with 12-60mm lens

All GH5 Deals

Review Excerpt

Dual Pixel CMOS AF delivers full-time continuous autofocus (with phase detect at every pixel in framing area) for video and Live View still shooting; Full HD (1080p) video recording with pro-level features and quality; Improved resolution and good high ISO performance; Excellent Wi-Fi remote shooting with full exposure controls; 3-inch articulating LCD touchscreen.
Image quality only improved slightly over 60D; Dynamic range still lags behind competing models; May not feature enough upgrades to convince people to step up from 60D.
Read our Canon 70D Review

20MP sensor; Better per-pixel sharpness; Very good, slightly improved dynamic range and high ISOs; Stellar 4K video up to 60p with no crop; 6K Photo; Dual UHS-II SD slots; Good battery life for its class.
Buffer is deep, but slow to clear; Expensive; Menus still confusing; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.
Read our Panasonic GH5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Canon 70D

Nikon D7100

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$690
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Canon 70D vs Nikon D7100

Panasonic GH5

Nikon D7100

$1348
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$690
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Sony A77 II

Canon 70D

Sony A77 II

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 70D vs Sony A77 II

Panasonic GH5

Sony A77 II

$1348
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1198
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A77 II

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 70D

Canon 7D Mark II

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1597
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 70D vs Canon 7D Mark II

Panasonic GH5

Canon 7D Mark II

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1597
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Canon 7D Mark II

Compared to Nikon D7200

Canon 70D

Nikon D7200

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1016
APS-C

Fast startup
NFC

Compare Canon 70D vs Nikon D7200

Panasonic GH5

Nikon D7200

$1348
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1016
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Panasonic G9

Canon 70D

Panasonic G9

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$1065
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 70D vs Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G9

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

$1065
4/3

High resolution composite
Top deck display

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G9

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