• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon 7D advantages over Panasonic GH5

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.30 vs 3.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 800 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 7D

  • Less expensive
    $1298 vs $1499
    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
    13.0 vs 11.7 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Newer
    8 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    405k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.76x vs 0.63x
    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 8.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    600 vs 22 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.9 fps vs 8.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    65 vs 16 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent 18-megapixel sensor with impressively low noise and superb detail; Very good high ISO performance, especially for 18-megapixel subframe sensor; Rugged construction with magnesium body and weather sealing; Fast autofocus and fast burst rate of 8 fps; Full HD (1920x1080) movies at 30/25/24p, 60/50p at 1280x720.

  • No dedicated AF-assist lamp (flash is used), and AF-assist adjustment is buried in the Flash Settings menu; Kit lens (28-135mm) isn't quite up to the resolving power of the 18-megapixel sensor, odd focal length for subframe DSLR; No continuous autofocus in Movie mode.

  • 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.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 7D
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Less shutter lag
  • $1597
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
Panasonic GH5
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1597
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon 60D

Canon 7D
Canon 60D
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Panasonic GH5
Canon 60D
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon D7000

Canon 7D
Nikon D7000
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
Panasonic GH5
Nikon D7000
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A77

Canon 7D
Sony A77
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic GH5
Sony A77
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic G9

Canon 7D
Panasonic G9
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1065
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Panasonic GH5
Panasonic G9
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $1065
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Top deck display
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