• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic G5 advantages over Canon S120

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 310 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    18 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon S120 advantages over Panasonic G5

  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 60 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.8 fps vs 6.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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
  • 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

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 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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 G5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon S120

Review Excerpt

  • Small, compact body with excellent focusing and exposure capabilities; Newly enhanced touchpanel LCD screen makes image capture and review a joy; Excellent HD video recording quality.

  • Some controls difficult to access; Too easy to activate menus and options while shooting; Lack of a microphone-in jack limits video recording usefulness.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic G2

Panasonic G5
Panasonic G2
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • More dots on screen
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
Canon S120
Panasonic G2
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Fujifilm XF1

Panasonic G5
Fujifilm XF1
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $460
  • 2/3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
Canon S120
Fujifilm XF1
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $460
  • 2/3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic G6

Panasonic G5
Panasonic G6
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon S120
Panasonic G6
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Fujifilm XQ1

Panasonic G5
Fujifilm XQ1
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $699
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon S120
Fujifilm XQ1
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $699
  • 2/3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic G5
Panasonic G7
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon S120
Panasonic G7
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
Compare Other Cameras?