• APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 8.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400

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Differences

Canon 20D advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • 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
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.42 vs 4.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.25 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    721 vs 618 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.8 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    31 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Canon 20D

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 71 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    12 years vs 20 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 118k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    12.1 vs 8.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • 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

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Buy the Panasonic GF5

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 Panasonic GF2

Canon 20D
Panasonic GF2
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF2
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup

Compared to Panasonic GF3

Canon 20D
Panasonic GF3
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Canon 20D
Olympus E-PL3
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Canon 20D
Olympus E-PM1
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PM1
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Canon 20D
Panasonic GF3X
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3
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