Canon 7D Mark II vs Panasonic GX850

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Canon 7D Mark II vs Panasonic GX850

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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
16.0 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX850 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GX850 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GX850.
Compare Panasonic GX850 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GX850 conclusion.

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Differences

Canon 7D Mark II advantages over Panasonic GX850

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 2.0 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 GX850 test data on DxO Mark

1,082 vs 586 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 210 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
216 mm vs 64 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
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/50 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More pixels
20.2 vs 16.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger RAW buffer
26 vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GX850 advantages over Canon 7D Mark II

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
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.
GX850 test data on DxO Mark 7D Mark II test data on DxO Mark

13.3 vs 11.8 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Thinner
33 mm vs 78 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
336g vs 1388g
Lighter weight
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 29 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX850 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 GX850

Kit with 12-32mm Lens (Black)

Kit with 12-32mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 12-32mm Lens (Silver)

All GX850 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

Impressive image quality; Sleek design; 4K video recording; Good overall performance; Tilting touchscreen; Enjoyable user experience.
No EVF; No hot shoe, Short 4K clip limit; MicroSD card slot, Poor battery life.
Read our Panasonic GX850 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 GX850

Canon 7D

$548
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$1499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Canon 7D

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 6D

$1597
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
More telephoto lens reach

$1699
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon 6D

Panasonic GX850

Canon 6D

$548
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$1699
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GX850 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 GX850

Canon 70D

$548
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$1149
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GX850 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 GX850

Sony A77 II

$548
4/3

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$1198
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Sony A77 II

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Canon 7D Mark II

Panasonic GM5

$1597
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$898
4/3

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GM5

$548
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic GM5

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