• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 224.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon N advantages over Panasonic GX850

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $550 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic GX850 advantages over Canon N

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.77 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Newer
    8 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.3 fps vs 2.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX850

Review Excerpt

  • Head-turning (funky, but cool) design and solid build; 8x optical zoom lens with 28-224m-equivalent reach; Built-in Wi-Fi for easy image sharing (Facebook Ready version posts directly to the social site); Full HD 1080p video at 24fps.

  • Unintuitive (almost clumsy) physical controls; Inconsistent exposure and decision-making in Auto mode; Image quality not that much better than good smartphone cameras; Poor battery life (just 200 shots); Only uses microSD cards; Weak LED flash.

  • 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.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon S6500

Canon N
Nikon S6500
  • $749
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Panasonic GX850
Nikon S6500
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon 330 HS

Canon N
Canon 330 HS
  • $749
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $596
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
Panasonic GX850
Canon 330 HS
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $596
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Canon N
Panasonic GM5
  • $749
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic GX850
Panasonic GM5
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon N2

Canon N
Canon N2
  • $749
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $699
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Panasonic GX850
Canon N2
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Canon N
Panasonic GF7
  • $749
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic GX850
Panasonic GF7
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
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