Canon M vs Panasonic GF5
89 Imaging
59 Features
65 Overall
61


89 Imaging
48 Features
54 Overall
50
Canon M vs Panasonic GF5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF-M Mount
- 298g - 109 x 66 x 32mm
- Launched July 2012
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 267g - 108 x 67 x 37mm
- Released April 2012
- Older Model is Panasonic GF3
- Successor is Panasonic GF6

Canon M vs Panasonic GF5 Overview
Its time to look more closely at the Canon M vs Panasonic GF5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the M (18MP) and GF5 (12MP) and the M (APS-C) and GF5 (Four Thirds) boast different sensor sizes.

The M was revealed 4 months later than the GF5 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a short view of how the M matches up vs the GF5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon M vs Panasonic GF5 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon EOS M & Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5. The full galleries are available at Canon M Gallery & Panasonic GF5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon M over the Panasonic GF5
M | GF5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 920k | Sharper display (+120k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF5 over the Canon M
GF5 | M |
---|
Common features in the Canon M and Panasonic GF5
M | GF5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | July 2012 | ![]() | April 2012 | Similar age |
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Canon M vs Panasonic GF5 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon M has got outer measurements of 109mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs) while the Panasonic GF5 has sizing of 108mm x 67mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") and a weight of 267 grams (0.59 lbs).
Analyze the Canon M vs Panasonic GF5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the M vs the GF5.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the M and GF5 is 89 and 89 respectively.

Canon M vs Panasonic GF5 Sensor Comparison
Often, its hard to picture the gap between sensor sizing only by reviewing specifications. The graphic here will give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the M and GF5.
To sum up, both cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The M using its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Canon M will offer greater detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively.

Canon M vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon M vs Panasonic GF5 Specifications
Canon EOS M | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon EOS M | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2012-07-23 | 2012-04-05 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 5 | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 332.3mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 5184 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 25600 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 160 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 31 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Canon EF-M | Micro Four Thirds |
Amount of lenses | 23 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.6 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 1,040 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | Clear View II TFT LCD | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.0fps | 4.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 6.30 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/200 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 298 grams (0.66 lb) | 267 grams (0.59 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 109 x 66 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") | 108 x 67 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 65 | 50 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.1 | 20.5 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.2 | 10.0 |
DXO Low light rating | 827 | 573 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 230 pictures | 360 pictures |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | LP-E12 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at release | $510 | $600 |