• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon SX50 advantages over Panasonic GH4

  • Slower slow-motion
    240 fps vs 96 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots

Panasonic GH4 advantages over Canon SX50

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Better color depth
    23.2 vs 20.3 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    791 vs 179 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.8 vs 11.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 530 vs 315 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.19 vs 0.48 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • 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
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • 50x optical zoom with whopping 24-1200mm-equivalent reach; Excellent image quality for its class; 2.8-inch vari-angle LCD; Ergonomic design and controls; Improved image stabilization and Zoom Framing Assist; Shoots RAW; Full 1080p HD video.

  • Poor low-light AF performance; Image quality deteriorates at ISO 800 and above; Sluggish cycle times; Below average battery life.

  • Excellent still image quality for its class; Fantastic, highly-detailed video quality; Superior video recording chops with 4K video (both Cinema 4K and Ultra HD); Responsive all-around performer with great AF performance and burst shooting; Rolling shutter is minimal with 60p and 30p video; Splash- and dust-proof magnesium alloy body; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.

  • High ISO performance not as good as some APS-C models (IQ drops quickly past ISO 3200); Overall still image quality not significantly better than the GH3; Sluggish buffer clearing with RAW files; Rolling shutter noticeable on 4K video; Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Canon SX50
Panasonic GH3
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Panasonic GH4
Panasonic GH3
  • $969
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $798
  • 4/3

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Canon SX50
Olympus E-M1
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic GH4
Olympus E-M1
  • $969
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Nikon P600

Canon SX50
Nikon P600
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Panasonic GH4
Nikon P600
  • $969
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon SX60

Canon SX50
Canon SX60
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Panasonic GH4
Canon SX60
  • $969
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compared to Nikon P610

Canon SX50
Nikon P610
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $599
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic GH4
Nikon P610
  • $969
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $599
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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