• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Canon T4i

  • Less expensive
    $450 vs $579*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 78 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    364g vs 1039g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.27 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Canon T4i 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
  • Fast startup
    ~0.70 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    722 vs 618 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 440 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    216 mm vs 84 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    18.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.8 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    19 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 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
  • 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

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GF5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon T4i

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.

  • Excellent image quality; 9 cross-type AF points; Stereo microphones; Built-in touchscreen; Multi-shot modes.

  • Slow Live View and video autofocus; High ISO performance is unimproved; Below-average battery life; No dedicated AF illuminator.

The Competition

Compared to Canon T5i

Panasonic GF5
Canon T5i
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon T4i
Canon T5i
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Canon T3i

Panasonic GF5
Canon T3i
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Thinner
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
Canon T4i
Canon T3i
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C

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 T4i
Olympus E-PL3
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

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 T4i
Olympus E-PM1
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3
Canon T4i
Panasonic GF3X
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
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