• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Canon G15

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 2.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    618 vs 165 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.46 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • 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

Canon G15 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 770 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.2 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

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 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
  • 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
  • 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

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.

  • Solid built and ergonomic, comfortable feel; Excellent f/1.8-2.8 5x optical zoom lens; Improved AF speed; Advanced photographic features, including PASM dial and RAW capture.

  • LCD screen no longer articulated; Optical viewfinder not very accurate and exhibits parallax; No WiFi or GPS.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
Canon G15
Olympus E-PL3
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PM1
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Hot shoe
Canon G15
Olympus E-PM1
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More dynamic range
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3
Canon G15
Panasonic GF3X
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus XZ-2

Panasonic GF5
Olympus XZ-2
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
Canon G15
Olympus XZ-2
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon G16

Panasonic GF5
Canon G16
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon G15
Canon G16
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
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