Canon 7D vs Panasonic GM5

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Canon 7D vs Panasonic GM5

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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
16.0 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GM5 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GM5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GM5.
Compare Panasonic GM5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GM5 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon 7D Mark II
Compare 7D vs 7D Mark II
Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Panasonic GM5

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Differences

Canon 7D advantages over Panasonic GM5

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Fast startup
~0.40 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 test data on DxO Mark GM5 test data on DxO Mark

854 vs 721 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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 220 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
216 mm vs 64 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
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
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
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.22 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.63x vs 0.46x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Faster JPEG shooting
8.0 fps vs 5.7 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
16 vs 7 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Panasonic GM5 advantages over Canon 7D

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Thinner
36 mm vs 73 mm
Thinner
Newer
10 years vs 15 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
294g vs 1467g
Lighter weight
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 45 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
56 vs 22 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
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
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

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
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 7D User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GM5 User Reviews

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Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm lens

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Buy the Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GM5

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

Great image quality for a tiny camera; Excellent high ISO for its class; Built-in EVF; Built-in hot-shoe; Improved ergonomics; Improved image quality for long exposures; Improved burst rate with hybrid shutter; 1080/60p video.
Slightly bigger than GM1 (but not by much); No built-in flash; Shallow buffers with RAW files; Dynamic range not quite as good as some competing models; Below average battery life.
Read our Panasonic GM5 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 GM5

Canon 7D Mark II

$898
4/3

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$1597
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GM5 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 GM5

Canon 60D

$898
4/3

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$889
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GM5 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 GM5

Nikon D7000

$898
4/3

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Nikon D7000

Compared to Sony A77

Canon 7D

Sony A77

$1499
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$1899
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Canon 7D vs Sony A77

Panasonic GM5

Sony A77

$898
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Sony A77

Compared to Panasonic GM1

Canon 7D

Panasonic GM1

$1499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$479
4/3

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Canon 7D vs Panasonic GM1

Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GM1

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

$479
4/3

Less expensive
Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic GM1

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