Canon R5 C vs. Panasonic Lumix G100: The Definitive Real-World Camera Showdown

When I first unboxed the Canon EOS R5 C and the Panasonic Lumix DC-G100, the two couldn't have seemed more worlds apart. On one hand, you have Canon’s powerhouse hybrid aimed squarely at professionals seeking 8K video prowess and high-res stills for demanding projects. On the other, Panasonic’s entry-level mirrorless offers an alluring mix of portability and ease-of-use with a focus on vloggers and casual photographers who prize simplicity.

After weeks of rigorous hand-on testing across varied photography disciplines and shooting scenarios, I’m now ready to tear down these two cameras - gear nerd talk and all - so you can figure out which one suits your creative life and wallet. Let’s dive in.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Build Quality

Handling a camera is personal. Grip comfort, button layout, and overall heft play a crucial role in how you’ll use it day after day. Here’s where these two start separating themselves immediately.

The Canon R5 C tips the scales at 770 grams and measures 142x101x111 mm - a serious slab of machinery. It’s built like a tank with environmental sealing that resists dust and splashes, though not full waterproofing. Its solid magnesium alloy chassis feels reassuringly professional, worth the premium price tag. If you shoot professionally, especially in tougher outdoor conditions, this durable build is indispensable.

By contrast, the Panasonic G100 is feather-light at just 352 grams with a compact frame (116x83x54 mm). It fits easily in one hand and slips into smaller bags without effort. Though it's plastic-bodied without weather sealing, its small size makes it a joy for on-the-go shooting and discreet street photography. If portability is king for you, G100 is a no-brainer. But keep in mind that smaller size also means less room for clubs for your thumbs, and sometimes compromises in grip comfort for larger hands.

Ergonomically, the R5 C sports a fully articulating 3.2-inch touchscreen with higher resolution (2100k dots), topped with a secondary monochrome status display. The Panasonic offers a slightly smaller 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen at 1840k dots, sans the top screen. Canon’s button layout caters to pros, packed with customizable dials and programmable buttons - ideal when speed matters. The G100 keeps things simple and user-friendly, great for beginners but a bit limiting under fast-paced shooting.

Sensors and Image Quality: Full Frame Brawn Meets Micro Four Thirds Agility

The sensor is the heart of any camera, determining image detail, dynamic range, and low-light chops.

The Canon R5 C’s 45-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor (36x24 mm) is a real champ. That’s a lot of pixels, allowing massive 8192x5464 images, perfect for billboard-worthy prints or tight cropping. Its color depth and dynamic range rival some of the best on the market, with excellent control over highlights and shadows. The sensor’s larger size inherently gathers more light, giving a cleaner image at high ISOs - native ISO maxes out at 51200, expandable to 102400.

The Panasonic G100 uses a smaller 20-megapixel Four Thirds sensor (17.3x13 mm) - about a third the sensor area of Canon’s beast. This means lower native resolution (5184x3888) and less light-gathering power, which impacts noise performance especially in dim conditions. It maxes out at ISO 25600, but imagine that as a double-edged sword: noise creeps in aggressively beyond ISO 3200 or so. That said, for everyday shooting and casual use, the G100’s sensor delivers sharp, colorful images without fuss.

In practical terms, landscape and portrait shooters will appreciate Canon’s superior dynamic range and resolution. Panasonic’s sensor excels best in bright light situations or video where smaller sensor size helps with deeper depth of field - a boon in run-and-gun vlogging where focus breathing matters.

Autofocus Systems: Precision and Speed Where It Counts

Both cameras offer touchscreen-based autofocus and face detection, but the devil is in the details.

The Canon R5 C features an advanced hybrid AF system with 1053 focus points that combine phase-detection and contrast detection. This translates to fast, accurate autofocus with highly reliable eye and animal eye detection - crucial for portrait and wildlife shooters. Continuous AF tracking is buttery smooth even during burst shooting or video, locking swiftly on erratically moving subjects. From my tests on fast bird flight to candid street shots, the R5 C rarely missed a beat.

The Panasonic G100 uses contrast-detection only with 49 focus points, a notable step down in AF complexity and speed. It provides decent face detection but lacks eye or animal eye AF. In controlled scenarios or static portraits, it performs fine, but tracking fast subjects is more challenging and less precise compared to the Canon. This is important to consider for wildlife, sports, or action enthusiasts.

Shooting Speed and Buffer: Catching the Critical Moments

High-speed shooting isn’t just for sports shooters; wildlife, events, and candid street photographers all benefit.

The Canon R5 C clocks a rapid 12 fps burst shooting rate, backed by ample buffer to shoot hundreds of RAW photos continuously - a godsend when capturing fleeting moments. The G100’s max burst is 10 fps but with a much smaller buffer, limiting continuous shooting compared to its big brother.

If your photography workflow often involves tracking fast movers or detailed sequence bursts, the Canon wins hands down.

Video Capabilities: A Game-Changing Divide

Video shooters will find the R5 C and G100 orbiting vastly different planets here.

The Canon R5 C doesn’t just dabble; it’s a full-on hybrid beast with 8K video at 30p in multiple codecs (XF-AVC, H.264, H.265) and frame rates - up to 810 Mbps bitrate for 4K 60p. It sports line-level inputs, headphone jacks, dual card slots (CFexpress B and SD UHS-II), and supports focus bracketing and stacking, giving creators immense flexibility. Its internal 10-bit 4:2:2 recording combined with Canon’s renowned color science is a gold mine for professional filmmakers.

The Panasonic G100 offers 4K video at up to 30p and Full HD up to 120fps for slow-motion effects, albeit limited to 100 Mbps max bitrate and consumer-focused codecs. Audio is handled well with built-in OZO audio microphones ideal for vlogging, but no headphone jack or professional-grade recording inputs. It’s clearly geared towards casual to intermediate video creators.

Depending on your video ambitions, this is quite the knife edge: The R5 C supports intricate color grading and cinematic output; the G100 is a reliable, easy vlogging companion.

Interface and Usability: Touchscreens and Menus That Matter

Both cameras have fully articulating touchscreens handy for selfies and low/high angle shots.

The Canon’s 3.2-inch display offers higher resolution and better color accuracy, essential for critical focus and framing outdoors. Menus are deep and customizable, but can be overwhelming for rookies. Personally, I appreciate the learning curve here - it’s a system designed with workflow efficiency in mind.

The Panasonic G100’s 3-inch screen is responsive and bright enough for most daylight conditions, with a more streamlined menu that’s less intimidating for new users or casual shooters. The tradeoff is fewer customization options.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Canon RF vs. Micro Four Thirds

Lens choice directly affects your photography versatility and future-proofing.

The Canon RF mount, though newer, already boasts about 30 native lenses ranging from ultrawide primes to super-telephoto zooms, including high-end L-series glass. The R5 C supports various lens adapters seamlessly, broadening compatibility to EF lenses, a massive asset if you already own Canon glass.

Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds mount, with over 100 native lenses from Panasonic, Olympus, and third-parties, sits as one of the most diverse ecosystems available. However, the inherent crop factor of 2.1x means you need wider lenses for equivalent fields of view compared to full frame. This can make achieving super shallow depth of field bokeh trickier, though its smaller lenses tend to be lighter and less expensive.

Battery Life and Storage Options

The Canon R5 C uses the LP-E6NH battery rated at about 320 shots per charge, somewhat modest given the camera’s advanced features and power demands - especially 8K video. However, dual card slots accommodate CFexpress and SD cards for extended shooting sessions and fast write speeds.

The Panasonic G100 relies on a smaller battery with around 270 shots per charge. Its single SD card slot supports UHS-I cards, sufficient for casual photographers but possibly limiting for extended video shooting or professional workflows.

A pro or heavy shooter will want spares and fast cards in both cases but count on more frequent charging with Canon’s pro-level sensor and video hardware.

Shooting Styles and Specialties: Who Shines Where?

Here’s the breakdown across major genres:

Portrait Photography

• Canon R5 C: Winner for skin tones, eye detection autofocus (including animal eyes), and creamy bokeh thanks to full-frame sensor and RF glass availability.
• Panasonic G100: Adequate for casual portraits but tougher to get professional-looking background separation due to smaller sensor and modest autofocus.

Landscape Photography

• Canon R5 C: Dominates with 45 MP resolution, exceptional dynamic range, and weather sealing.
• Panasonic G100: Adequate for hobbyists; less detail and dynamic range, no weather sealing to protect against elements.

Wildlife Photography

• Canon R5 C: Fast AF, high burst rate, and excellent telephoto lens support make it ideal.
• Panasonic G100: Lacking phase-detection AF and modest burst limit its utility here.

Sports Photography

• Canon R5 C: Top pick for tracking accuracy and frame rate.
• Panasonic G100: Can do casual sports but struggles with fast paced action.

Street Photography

• Canon R5 C: Bulky design puts it at a disadvantage in candid street shots.
• Panasonic G100: Perfectly sized for discreet shooting and low-light snaps.

Macro Photography

• Canon R5 C: Focus bracketing and stacking help create detailed macro shots.
• Panasonic G100: Post-focus feature aids precision but limited by sensor size.

Night and Astro Photography

• Canon R5 C: Exceptional high ISO performance and long exposure options.
• Panasonic G100: Noise quickly becomes apparent; best used under moonlight gentle conditions.

Video Capabilities

• Canon R5 C: 8K raw and 4K 60p with pro codecs and extensive audio support.
• Panasonic G100: 4K 30p entry-level video, optimized for vlogging with OZO mic.

Travel Photography

• Canon R5 C: Heavy but versatile; suited for photographers prioritizing quality over bulk.
• Panasonic G100: Lightweight and easy for travel, but compromises image quality.

Professional Workflows

• Canon offers uncompressed RAW and dual cards, key for reliability.
• Panasonic is more casual-friendly with basic RAW support and single card slot.

Canon R5 C front Canon R5 C screen back Panasonic G100 front Panasonic G100 screen back

Here you see side-by-side samples illustrating resolution, dynamic range, color science, and bokeh differences. The Canon files exhibit more detail and cleaner highlights/shadows, particularly noticeable in controlled studio portraits and wide landscapes. Panasonic images look pleasant but less refined.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Both cameras include built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for remote control and image transfer - standard in today’s world. Canon’s USB-C port supports faster data transfer and tethering; Panasonic sticks with USB 2.0.

The R5 C’s HDMI port supports clean outputs for external recorders, essential in pro video production. G100’s HDMI is suitable for casual streaming.

Price-to-Performance: Are You Getting What You Pay For?

Let’s talk dollars. The Canon R5 C commands around $4,500, positioning it deep in the professional tier. You’re paying a premium for state-of-the-art imaging and video capabilities, robust build quality, and a pro workflow ecosystem. For photographers and videographers whose livelihood depends on this gear, that price is justified. Every feature, every fps, every bit of sensor real estate counts.

The Panasonic G100 retails around $700 - a far more accessible entry point. It makes no pretense about eclipsing pro models but offers solid value for vloggers, casual photographers, or those straddling the fence between point-and-shoot simplicity and mirrorless flexibility. You get an easy-to-use camera with respectable features at a price that won't break the bank.

Unsurprisingly, the Canon R5 C scores top marks in image quality, autofocus, and video, while the Panasonic G100 excels in portability and beginner friendliness but falls behind in many technical facets.

Across photography types, the Canon outperforms in demanding disciplines such as sports, wildlife, portrait, and pro video. The Panasonic remains an attractive choice for street, travel, and casual vloggers where ease and convenience overshadow cutting-edge specs.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose the Canon R5 C if you:

• Are a professional or serious enthusiast requiring high-resolution stills and cutting-edge 8K video.
• Shoot fast action, wildlife, sports, or portraits needing class-leading autofocus and image quality.
• Need robust build quality with weather sealing and extensive workflow integration.
• Want to future-proof your kit with an evolving RF lens ecosystem.
• Can absorb the higher price tag in exchange for professional features and performance.

Go for the Panasonic G100 if you:

• Are a casual shooter, beginner, or content creator prioritizing portability and ease-of-use.
• Need a straightforward vlogging camera with built-in good audio and articulating screen.
• Have a tighter budget but still want decent image quality and 4K video.
• Prefer a lightweight system for travel, street photography, or everyday snapshots.
• Don’t require advanced autofocus or professional-level video codecs.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Ambition, Budget, and Use Case

Sifting through the spec sheets and hands-on results confirms what’s often true in photography gear: there is no one-size-fits-all.

The Canon R5 C is a prime example of the cutting-edge mirrorless hybrid - a beast that blends stills and video in a compact but robust body, designed for pros who need uncompromising performance. It dazzled me in every pro use case from wildlife to cinema-grade video capture. Its price tag is high but reflects the carefully calibrated engineering behind those results.

On the flip side, the Panasonic Lumix G100 is the thoughtful entry-level enthusiast’s option. It won’t astonish you with specs but will reliably deliver quality images and smooth video for everyday creative projects. It’s perfect for vloggers and hobbyists who want a neat, portable camera without the intimidation or expense of pro gear.

So the question boils down to your personal creative priorities and budget. My advice: If you’re stepping into professional territory or growing your commercial portfolio, invest in the R5 C for reliability and versatility. If you’re dabbling, making family memories, or building confidence in photography/video, the G100 is a smart, economical companion.

Whichever way you lean, both cameras have their rightful place - and I hope this deep dive helps you pick the right one for your artistic journey.

Happy shooting!

• Your friendly gear tester with a passion for camerawork that truly fits your vision and wallet.