• APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon 7D Mark II advantages over Panasonic GM5

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 1.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,082 vs 721 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 670 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    216 mm vs 64 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/50 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.63x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.5 fps vs 5.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    103 vs 56 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.5 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    26 vs 7 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GM5 advantages over Canon 7D Mark II

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 78 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    294g vs 1388g
    Lighter weight
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 29 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 7D Mark II

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality; High ISO performance improved over predecessor; Excellent burst speeds (up to 10fps); Significantly improved buffer depths; 65-pt AF system; Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Can focus down to f/8 (great for teleconverters); 1080/60p video; Headphone and mic jacks; Rugged build quality.

  • Autofocus speed (AF shutter lag) slower than 7D and 70D; Mediocre battery life for a pro DSLR; Dynamic range at low to moderate ISOs not as good as competitors; Phase-detect AF did not perform as well as expected in our low-light AF tests; No built-in Wi-Fi; No autofocus for 1080/60p video.

  • Great image quality for a tiny camera; Excellent high ISO for its class; Built-in EVF; Built-in hot-shoe; Improved ergonomics; Improved image quality for long exposures; Improved burst rate with hybrid shutter; 1080/60p video.

  • Slightly bigger than GM1 (but not by much); No built-in flash; Shallow buffers with RAW files; Dynamic range not quite as good as some competing models; Below average battery life.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 7D

Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 7D
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Less shutter lag
Panasonic GM5
Canon 7D
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 6D
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Panasonic GM5
Canon 6D
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon 70D

Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 70D
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Panasonic GM5
Canon 70D
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Panasonic GM1

Canon 7D Mark II
Panasonic GM1
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic GM5
Panasonic GM1
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Sony A77 II

Canon 7D Mark II
Sony A77 II
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Panasonic GM5
Sony A77 II
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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