Canon 7D Mark II vs Panasonic GH5

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Canon 7D Mark II vs Panasonic GH5

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APS-C 337.5mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Canon 7D Mark II Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 7D Mark II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 7D Mark II.
Compare Canon 7D Mark II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 7D Mark II 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 Panasonic GH5 II
Compare GH5 vs GH5 II
Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Panasonic GH5 II

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Differences

Canon 7D Mark II advantages over Panasonic GH5

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.11 vs 3.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.50 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.
7D Mark II test data on DxO Mark GH5 test data on DxO Mark

1,082 vs 807 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
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

670 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
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GH5 advantages over Canon 7D Mark II

Less expensive
$1298 vs $1799
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
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 7D Mark II test data on DxO Mark

13.0 vs 11.8 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.25 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.76x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
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 9.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
600 vs 103 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.9 fps vs 9.5 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
65 vs 26 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

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH5 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon 7D Mark II

Body Only

Body Only
Body with W-E1 Wi-Fi Adapter
Kit with 18-135mm Lens
Kit with 18-135mm Lens and Wi-Fi Adapter

All 7D Mark II 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

Excellent image quality; High ISO performance improved over predecessor; Excellent burst speeds (up to 10fps); Significantly improved buffer depths; 65-pt AF system; Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Can focus down to f/8 (great for teleconverters); 1080/60p video; Headphone and mic jacks; Rugged build quality.
Autofocus speed (AF shutter lag) slower than 7D and 70D; Mediocre battery life for a pro DSLR; Dynamic range at low to moderate ISOs not as good as competitors; Phase-detect AF did not perform as well as expected in our low-light AF tests; No built-in Wi-Fi; No autofocus for 1080/60p video.
Read our Canon 7D Mark II 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 Canon 7D

Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 7D

$1597
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Built-in GPS

$1499
APS-C

Less expensive
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon 7D

Panasonic GH5

Canon 7D

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Canon 7D

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 6D

$1597
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
More telephoto lens reach

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon 6D

Panasonic GH5

Canon 6D

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1499
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Canon 6D

Compared to Canon 70D

Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 70D

$1597
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$1149
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon 70D

Panasonic GH5

Canon 70D

$1348
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1149
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Canon 70D

Compared to Sony A77 II

Canon 7D Mark II

Sony A77 II

$1597
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 7D Mark II 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 Nikon D7200

Canon 7D Mark II

Nikon D7200

$1597
APS-C

Built-in GPS
On-sensor phase detect

$1016
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Nikon D7200

Panasonic GH5

Nikon D7200

$1348
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$1016
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Nikon D7200

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