• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 21.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark II advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • 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
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.41 vs 4.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    23.7 vs 21.4 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,815 vs 618 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 850 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 84 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    21.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    75 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
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Canon 5D Mark II

  • Less expensive
    $430 vs $2999
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 75 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    364g vs 1588g
    Lighter weight
  • 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

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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 Nikon D3X

Canon 5D Mark II
Nikon D3X
  • $1085
  • 35mm
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More dynamic range
Panasonic GF5
Nikon D3X
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Internal flash
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Canon 5D Mark II
Olympus E-PM1
  • $1085
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
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 5D Mark II
Panasonic GF3X
  • $1085
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Internal flash
Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3

Compared to Nikon D600

Canon 5D Mark II
Nikon D600
  • $1085
  • 35mm
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Panasonic GF5
Nikon D600
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 6D
  • $1085
  • 35mm
  • Less shutter lag
  • More AF points
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Panasonic GF5
Canon 6D
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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