• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Canon A1200 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
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Canon A1200

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

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 Canon A1100 IS

Canon A1200
Canon A1100 IS
  • $101
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
Panasonic GF5
Canon A1100 IS
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon A3100 IS

Canon A1200
Canon A3100 IS
  • $101
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $85
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
Panasonic GF5
Canon A3100 IS
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $85
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Canon A1200
Olympus E-PM1
  • $101
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • 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 A1200
Panasonic GF3X
  • $101
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3

Compared to Canon A1300

Canon A1200
Canon A1300
  • $101
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $134
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
Panasonic GF5
Canon A1300
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $134
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life
Compare Other Cameras?