Canon G1X Mark II vs Panasonic GM5

Cameras
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Canon G1X Mark II vs Panasonic GM5

1.5 inch 233.8mm²
13.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon G1X Mark II Review.
How does it shoot? Canon G1X Mark II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G1X Mark II.
Compare Canon G1X Mark II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon G1X Mark II conclusion.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.0 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GM5 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GM5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GM5.
Compare Panasonic GM5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GM5 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon G1X Mark III
Compare G1X Mark II vs G1X Mark III
Compare Canon G1X Mark III vs Panasonic GM5

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Differences

Canon G1X Mark II advantages over Panasonic GM5

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 56 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 7 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Panasonic GM5 advantages over Canon G1X Mark II

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Fast startup
~1.00 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
GM5 test data on DxO Mark G1X Mark II test data on DxO Mark

721 vs 581 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
36 mm vs 66 mm
Thinner
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More pixels
16.0 vs 13.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster RAW shooting
4.9 fps vs 1.4 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/16000 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

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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

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Read GM5 User Reviews

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Panasonic GM5

Review Excerpt

Wider, longer, faster lens than predecessor, with good overall optical quality; Faster AF performance; Closer macro shooting; Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC with remote shooting; Decent JPEG burst performance; Excellent build quality.
Localized flare issue when wide open; No real net improvement in image quality over predecessor; Slow burst mode when shooting RAW files; Poor battery life; Video quality is so-so (not like Canon DSLRs).
Read our Canon G1X Mark II Review

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.
Read our Panasonic GM5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GM1

Canon G1X Mark II

Panasonic GM1

$599
1.5 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

$479
4/3

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Panasonic GM1

Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GM1

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

$479
4/3

Less expensive
Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic GM1

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Canon G1X Mark II

Panasonic LX100

$599
1.5 inch

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

$598
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Panasonic LX100

Panasonic GM5

Panasonic LX100

$898
4/3

Touchscreen
Fast startup

$598
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic LX100

Compared to Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Canon G1X Mark II

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

$599
1.5 inch

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$875
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Panasonic GM5

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

$898
4/3

Touchscreen
Thinner

$875
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Canon G1X Mark II

Panasonic GF7

$599
1.5 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
NFC

$590
4/3

In-camera panoramas
Fast startup

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GF7

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Hot shoe

$590
4/3

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic GF7

Compared to Panasonic LX100 II

Canon G1X Mark II

Panasonic LX100 II

$599
1.5 inch

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Panasonic LX100 II

Panasonic GM5

Panasonic LX100 II

$898
4/3

Fast startup
Thinner

$898
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic LX100 II

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