Canon 7D vs Panasonic GH5

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Canon 7D vs Panasonic GH5

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APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon 7D Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 7D.

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 7D Mark II
Compare 7D vs 7D Mark II

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 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

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

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

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 test data on DxO Mark

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

Amazon
Adorama
Read 7D User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH5 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon 7D

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm lens

All 7D Deals

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Buy the Panasonic GH5

Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaking Kit
Kit with 12-60mm lens

All GH5 Deals

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.
Read our Canon 7D Full 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 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

Compare Canon 7D 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 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

Compare Canon 7D vs Canon 60D

Panasonic GH5

Canon 60D

$1348
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$889
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Canon 60D

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

Compare Canon 7D vs Nikon D7000

Panasonic GH5

Nikon D7000

$1348
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Nikon D7000

Compared to Sony A77

Canon 7D

Sony A77

$1499
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1899
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Canon 7D vs Sony A77

Panasonic GH5

Sony A77

$1348
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A77

Compared to Panasonic G9

Canon 7D

Panasonic G9

$1499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$948
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 7D vs Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G9

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

$948
4/3

High resolution composite
Top deck display

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G9

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