Panasonic GF5 vs Canon G7X

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Panasonic GF5 vs Canon G7X

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4/3 224.9mm²
12.1 megapixels
ISO 160 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GF5 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the GF5.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
24.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon G7X Review.
How does it shoot? Canon G7X in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G7X.
Compare Canon G7X image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon G7X conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GF6
Compare GF5 vs GF6

Succeeded by the Canon G7X Mark II
Compare G7X vs G7X Mark II

Compare PANASONIC GF6 vs CANON G7X MARK II

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Canon G7X

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.33 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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.
GF5 test data on DxO Mark G7X test data on DxO Mark

618 vs 556 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

330 vs 210 shots
Capture more photos
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon G7X 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
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
More pixels
20.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Longer exposure
250 vs 60 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
6.6 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
14 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
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
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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Adorama
Read GF5 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G7X User Reviews

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Kit with 14-42mm Lens
Kit with 14-42mm Power Lens

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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.
Read our Panasonic GF5 Review

Very compact body fits in a pants pocket; Zoom lens is both brighter and further-reaching than anything offered by its enthusiast compact rivals; Selfie-friendly tilting LCD monitor; Intuitive touch-screen interface; Very good image quality for its class; Wi-Fi connectivity gets photos on your phone
No electronic viewfinder; Soft corners at wide-angle; Flare issues and fringing shooting wide-open; Weak performance when shooting raw files; Tendency to underexpose in low light; Limited battery life
Read our Canon G7X Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Panasonic GF5

Sony RX100 III

$450
4/3

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$748
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Sony RX100 III

Canon G7X

Sony RX100 III

$1239
1 inch

Touchscreen
More telephoto lens reach

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon G7X vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Panasonic GF5

Panasonic LX100

$450
4/3

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic LX100

Canon G7X

Panasonic LX100

$1239
1 inch

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

$598
4/3

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G7X vs Panasonic LX100

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

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PL3

Canon G7X

Olympus E-PL3

$1239
1 inch

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$700
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G7X vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF5

Olympus E-PM1

$450
4/3

Touchscreen
Higher effective ISO

$500
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Hot shoe

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PM1

Canon G7X

Olympus E-PM1

$1239
1 inch

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$500
4/3

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon G7X vs Olympus E-PM1

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5

Panasonic GF3X

$450
4/3

Higher effective ISO
More dynamic range

$750
4/3

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic GF3X

Canon G7X

Panasonic GF3X

$1239
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$750
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G7X vs Panasonic GF3X

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