• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 24.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Canon R3

  • Less expensive
    $749 vs $5999 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 87 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Canon R3 advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    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
    35mm vs 4/3
    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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.00 vs 4.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    No vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 760 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    3 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    4150k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    150 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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 GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos

User reviews

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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.

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 R3
Olympus E-PL3
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • 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 R3
Olympus E-PM1
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3
Canon R3
Panasonic GF3X
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Leica SL2-S

Panasonic GF5
Leica SL2-S
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $4895
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon R3
Leica SL2-S
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $4895
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compared to Canon R5 C

Panasonic GF5
Canon R5 C
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $4499
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon R3
Canon R5 C
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • More dots on screen
  • $4499
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
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