• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Canon EOS M5

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 27 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    36 vs 18 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon EOS M5 advantages over Panasonic GX8

  • Less expensive
    $699 vs $998*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,262 vs 806 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher-res screen
    540k vs 346k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.2 fps vs 8.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.3 fps vs 7.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX8

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M5

Review Excerpt

  • Highest resolution Micro Four Thirds camera yet; Great high ISO performance; Very fast autofocus; Fast burst mode with deep buffers; Impressive Dual I.S. system; Great 4K video.

  • No built-in flash; Slow buffer clearing; Below average battery life; Limited I.S. for 4K video.

  • Enthusiast-oriented compact camera body; Good image quality in most situations; Built-in electronic viewfinder; Impressive Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Very good overall performance.

  • High ISO image quality and dynamic range aren't quite up to par with some of its competition; No 4K video recording; Native EF-M lens selection is still limited; Below average battery life.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GX8
Olympus E-M1
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • On-sensor phase detect
Canon EOS M5
Olympus E-M1
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic GX8
Olympus E-M5 II
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Fast startup
Canon EOS M5
Olympus E-M5 II
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro2

Panasonic GX8
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon EOS M5
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic GX8
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC
  • $949
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Fast startup
Canon EOS M5
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $949
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon EOS M50

Panasonic GX8
Canon EOS M50
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Canon EOS M5
Canon EOS M50
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
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