• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Canon SL3

  • Less expensive
    $450 vs $699
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 3.72 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 69 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    364g vs 664g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Canon SL3 advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C 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
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • 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 1070 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    6 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
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 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)
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GF5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SL3

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 SL3
Olympus E-PL3
  • $624
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels

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
Canon SL3
Olympus E-PM1
  • $624
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3
Canon SL3
Panasonic GF3X
  • $624
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compared to Canon SL2

Panasonic GF5
Canon SL2
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon SL3
Canon SL2
  • $624
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compared to Nikon D3500

Panasonic GF5
Nikon D3500
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon SL3
Nikon D3500
  • $624
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
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