• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1.5 inch 233.8mm2
  • 13.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Canon G1X Mark II

  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 66 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options

Canon G1X Mark II advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.3 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GF5

Review Excerpt

  • Small body pairs nicely with compact, retractable Power Zoom lens. Extremely fast autofocus. Worthwhile improvements in image quality. Touchscreen overlays can now be hidden.

  • LCD panel is prone to fingerprint smudges. Weak flash, and no hot shoe. Modest burst performance, and very limited buffer for raw shooting. Noise levels and dynamic range still lag competition.

  • Wider, longer, faster lens than predecessor, with good overall optical quality; Faster AF performance; Closer macro shooting; Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC with remote shooting; Decent JPEG burst performance; Excellent build quality.

  • Localized flare issue when wide open; No real net improvement in image quality over predecessor; Slow burst mode when shooting RAW files; Poor battery life; Video quality is so-so (not like Canon DSLRs).

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
Canon G1X Mark II
Olympus E-PL3
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PM1
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon G1X Mark II
Olympus E-PM1
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3
Canon G1X Mark II
Panasonic GF3X
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic LX100
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon G1X Mark II
Panasonic LX100
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video

Compared to Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Panasonic GF5
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Internal flash
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon G1X Mark II
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
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