• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Canon 6D

  • Less expensive
    $430 vs $1999
    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 71 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    364g vs 1448g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.29 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Canon 6D 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
    ~ 6.54 vs 4.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Better color depth
    23.8 vs 21.4 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,340 vs 618 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1090 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
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    20.2 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.4 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    1250 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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.

  • Excellent image quality on par to more expensive full-frame DSLRs (including the 5D Mark III); Responsive all-around performer; Superior HD video-shooting chops; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features, Built-in GPS and geotagging.

  • Lacks a built-in, pop-up flash; No external headphone jack; Rather basic 11-point autofocus system; Mediocre burst speed.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Panasonic GF5
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon 6D
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag

Compared to Nikon D610

Panasonic GF5
Nikon D610
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1261
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon 6D
Nikon D610
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $1261
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Panasonic GF5
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon 6D
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
Canon 6D
Olympus E-PL3
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PM1
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Hot shoe
Canon 6D
Olympus E-PM1
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
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