• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Canon SL1 advantages over Panasonic G7

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 1.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    1140 vs 240 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic G7 advantages over Canon SL1

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • 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
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.26 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.54x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.1 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    6.6 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    16 vs 8 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 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
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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 Canon SL1
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens
All SL1 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic G7
Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Silver)
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Silver)
  • Kit with 14-140mm Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Black)
All G7 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Extremely compact and lightweight for a DSLR; Delivers good image quality that's virtually identical to the Canon T4i/T5i; Accurate and relatively fast autofocus with improved Live View and Movie Hybrid CMOS II AF; Full 1080p HD movie recording; Better-than average kit lens (EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM).

  • Still not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Slightly worse than average dynamic range and high ISO performance; Poor battery life.

  • Read our Canon SL1 Review

  • Compact and lightweight for a fully-featured interchangeable-lens camera; Really fast autofocus; Good all-around performance too; Generous buffer depth; Versatile tilt/swivel LCD and high-res viewfinder; Touch-screen controls; Very affordable pricetag

  • Out of the box, colors are muted by consumer standards; Warm white balance under incandescent light; Handgrip is a little shallow for those with larger hands; Wi-Fi is overly complex and has limited range

  • Read our Panasonic G7 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic G5

Canon SL1
Panasonic G5
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More viewfinder magnification

Compare Canon SL1 vs Panasonic G5

Panasonic G7
Panasonic G5
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $550
  • 4/3

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Panasonic G5

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Canon SL1
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Panasonic G7
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Sony A58

Canon SL1
Sony A58
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL1 vs Sony A58

Panasonic G7
Sony A58
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Sony A58

Compared to Panasonic G6

Canon SL1
Panasonic G6
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon SL1 vs Panasonic G6

Panasonic G7
Panasonic G6
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Panasonic G6

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Canon SL1
Pentax K-S1
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL1 vs Pentax K-S1

Panasonic G7
Pentax K-S1
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Pentax K-S1

Compare Other Cameras?