Panasonic GF1 vs Canon EOS M

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Panasonic GF1 vs Canon EOS M

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4/3 224.9mm²
12.1 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GF1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the GF1.

APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

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

Succeeded by the Panasonic GF2
Compare GF1 vs GF2

Succeeded by the Canon EOS M3
Compare EOS M vs EOS M3

Compare PANASONIC GF2 vs CANON EOS M3

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Differences

Panasonic GF1 advantages over Canon EOS M

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~1.40 vs 2.7 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

380 vs 230 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Less shutter lag
0.41 vs 0.74 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots

Canon EOS M advantages over Panasonic GF1

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Less expensive
$600 vs $900 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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.
EOS M test data on DxO Mark GF1 test data on DxO Mark

827 vs 513 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
1040k vs 460k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
18.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
4.2 fps vs 2.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

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

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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

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Review Excerpt

Read our Panasonic GF1 Full Review

Excellent image quality similar to Rebel T4i, T5i and SL1 DSLRs, with 18-megapixel APS-C-type sensor delivering considerable resolution for a mirrorless camera; Solid build and sleek design; Bright, high-resolution 3-inch LCD touchscreen monitor; Full 1080p HD video recording that's virtually silent with an STM lens.
Barely acceptable autofocus speed still lags far behind most mirrorless cameras despite firmware update fix; Limited physical controls and buttons, including no Program, Priority, or Manual on Mode dial; Lacks built-in flash or electronic viewfinder option; Only two compact EF-M mount lenses currently available.
Read our Canon EOS M Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-P1

Panasonic GF1

Olympus E-P1

$900
4/3

Tiltable Screen
Fast startup

$800
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Higher extended ISO

Compare Panasonic GF1 vs Olympus E-P1

Canon EOS M

Olympus E-P1

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

$800
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS M vs Olympus E-P1

Compared to Panasonic GF2

Panasonic GF1

Panasonic GF2

$900
4/3

More telephoto lens reach
Bulb shutter

$617
4/3

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic GF2

Canon EOS M

Panasonic GF2

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

$617
4/3

Lens selection
Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon EOS M vs Panasonic GF2

Compared to Panasonic GF3

Panasonic GF1

Panasonic GF3

$900
4/3

Tiltable Screen
Fast startup

$675
4/3

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic GF3

Canon EOS M

Panasonic GF3

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$675
4/3

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Canon EOS M vs Panasonic GF3

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Panasonic GF1

Sony NEX-5N

$900
4/3

Lens selection
Fast startup

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-5N

Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5N

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Panasonic GF1

Sony NEX-5R

$900
4/3

Lens selection
Internal flash

$499
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-5R

Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5R

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
External Mic Jack

$499
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-5R

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