• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GH1 advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Higher effective ISO
    772 vs 618 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More telephoto lens reach
    280 mm vs 84 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    12 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Panasonic GH1

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.34 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.0 fps vs 2.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GH1

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GF5
Kit with 14-42mm Lens
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens
  • Kit with 14-42mm Power Lens
All GF5 Deals

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

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic G2

Panasonic GH1
Panasonic G2
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic G2

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic G2
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic G2

Compared to Panasonic GH2

Panasonic GH1
Panasonic GH2
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Thinner
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic GH2

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GH2
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic GH2

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GH1
Olympus E-PL3
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH1 vs 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

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GH1
Panasonic GF3X
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Panasonic GH1
Olympus E-M5
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH1 vs Olympus E-M5

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-M5
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-M5

Compare Other Cameras?