• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Panasonic GH1 advantages over Canon T3i

  • More telephoto lens reach
    280 mm vs 216 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Thinner
    45 mm vs 79 mm
    Thinner
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Canon T3i advantages over Panasonic GH1

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $1500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 440 vs 320 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    18.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.6 fps vs 2.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • 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

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Buy the Panasonic GH1

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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality; Good grip; Full HD video recording; Swiveling LCD; Very fast autofocus; HDMI output.

  • Slow frame rate for sports shooting; Tendency to overexpose in bright sunlight; Live View AF is slow; No microfocus adjustment.

  • Read our Canon T3i Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic G2

Panasonic GH1
Panasonic G2
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic G2

Canon T3i
Panasonic G2
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Lighter weight

Compare Canon T3i vs Panasonic G2

Compared to Panasonic GH2

Panasonic GH1
Panasonic GH2
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Thinner
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic GH2

Canon T3i
Panasonic GH2
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon T3i vs Panasonic GH2

Compared to Pentax K-5

Panasonic GH1
Pentax K-5
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-5

Canon T3i
Pentax K-5
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T3i vs Pentax K-5

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Panasonic GH1
Olympus E-M5
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH1 vs Olympus E-M5

Canon T3i
Olympus E-M5
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen

Compare Canon T3i vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Canon T4i

Panasonic GH1
Canon T4i
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Thinner
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Panasonic GH1 vs Canon T4i

Canon T3i
Canon T4i
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon T3i vs Canon T4i

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