Canon EOS
5D Mark III
 vs
Panasonic Lumix
DMC-GH2

Updated (March, 2013): Compare the Canon EOS 7D MII vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

86

  
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

38

  

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Screen size
 Large screen
3.2"
Light sensitivity
 High ISO
25,600 ISO
Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
2,293 ISO
Sensor size
 Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
HDR
 In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Badge
 Phase detection autofocus
fast and accurate
 

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

Size
 Really small
Prosumer size 124x90x76 mm
Touch screen
 Touch screen
Less buttons
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
3D
 Takes 3D photos
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
Movie continuous focus
 Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Badge
 Autofocuses shooting video
Contrast detection
 

differences

Advantages of the Canon 5D Mark III
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 81.0 vs 60.0
Help
 Around 40% better image quality
Sensor size Much larger sensor Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm
Help
 Around 4x larger sensor
Weather sealed Weather sealed Yes vs No
Help
 Sealed to shoot in the rain
Autofocus Faster autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
 Catch candid moments easily
Cross type focus points Many more cross-type focus points 41 vs 0
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 25,600 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
 The 5D Mark III's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
Battery life Much longer battery life 950 shots vs 330 shots
Help
 Around 3x more shots per battery charge
Low light performance Much lower noise at high ISO 2,293 ISO vs 655 ISO
Help
 The 5D Mark III has excellent image quality 1.8 f-stops higher ISO than the DMC-GH2
Screen size Larger screen 3.2" vs 3.0"
Help
 Around 10% larger screen
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Color depth Better color depth 24 bits vs 21.2 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 2.8 more bits of color
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution 22.1 MP vs 15.9 MP
Help
 Capture around 40% more detail in your photos
Lens availability Significantly more lenses available 125 lenses vs 26 lenses
Help
 Around 5x more lenses available
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 102,400 ISO vs 12,800 ISO
Help
 The 5D Mark III's boost ISO is 3 f-stops better
Focus points Significantly more focus points 61 vs 23
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Storage slots Has more storage slots 2 vs 1
Help
 More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards
Startup delay Less startup delay 500 ms vs 1100 ms
Help
 2.2x less delay when turning on
Dynamic range More dynamic range 11.7 EV vs 11.3 EV
Help
 0.4 f-stops more dynamic range
Shutter lag Less shutter lag 120 ms vs 273 ms
Help
 2.3x less delay when taking photos
Viewfinder Has an optical viewfinder Pentaprism vs Digital
Help
 Optical viewfinders save battery life and are more detailed
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 6 fps vs 5 fps
Help
 20% faster continuous shooting
Fastest shutter speed Faster max shutter speed 1/8000s vs 1/4000s
Help
 2x faster max shutter speed
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Learn more about
the Canon 5D Mark III

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-GH2
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen Yes vs No
Help
 Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies
Touch screen Has a touch screen Yes vs No
Help
 Fewer buttons to worry about and direct interaction with camera menus
Size Smaller 124x90x76 mm vs 152x116x76 mm
Help
 Around 40% smaller
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
Weight Much lighter 444 g vs 950 g
Help
 2.1x lighter
Built-in flash Built-in flash Yes vs No
Help
 A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light
Lowest price Cheaper $2,199.00 vs $3,249.95
Help
 The best price we've seen is $1,051 cheaper (more than 30% less)
Longest exposure Longer exposures 60s vs 30s
Help
 2x longer exposures
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-GH2
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Canon EOS 5D Mark III Canon EOS 5D Mark III
86 vs 38
Explain scores
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Canon EOS 5D Mark III. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a pro DSLR with a mirrorless interchangeable-lens.

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
External mic jack You can plug a microphone into both of these Help
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Supports 24p Both support 24p, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these Help
For that film look
True resolution Capture very high resolution images Help
5D Mark III:22.1 MP
DMC-GH2:15.9 MP
Interchangeable lenses Both support interchangeable lenses, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these Help
Many lenses to choose from
Supports RAW Supports RAW Help
Better editing
Sensor size Large sensors Help
5D Mark III:Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
DMC-GH2:Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm
Sensor cleaning Self cleaning sensors Help
Avoids dust in your photos
External flash Support external flash Help
Better lighting
Viewfinder Viewfinders Help
5D Mark III:Pentaprism
DMC-GH2:Digital
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
5D Mark III:1/8000s
DMC-GH2:1/4000s
Lowest price Very expensive Help
5D Mark III:$3,249.95
DMC-GH2:$2,199.00
Thickness Quite thick Help
3"
Weight Heavy Help
5D Mark III:950 g
DMC-GH2:444 g
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
Size Large Help
5D Mark III:152x116x76 mm
DMC-GH2:124x90x76 mm

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EOS 6D

Canon EOS 6D

Pro DSLR

$1,999 body only

$2,599 with 24-105mm lens
Dynamic range Has slightly wider dynamic range
GPS Has a built-in GPS
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the EOS 6D vs the EOS 5D Mark III
Compare the EOS 6D vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Pro DSLR

$2,479 body only

$2,699 - $3,000 with 24-105mm lens
Weight Is significantly heavier
Autofocus Lacks autofocus
Compare the EOS 5D Mark II vs the EOS 5D Mark III
Compare the EOS 5D Mark II vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,499 body only

$1,699 with 28-135mm lens
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Lowest price Is slightly less expensive
Weight Is significantly heavier
Viewfinder size Slightly smaller viewfinder
Compare the EOS 7D vs the EOS 5D Mark III
Compare the EOS 7D vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$1,298 body only

$2,599 with 12-35mm lens
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Dynamic range Has slightly wider dynamic range
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the Lumix DMC-GH3 vs the EOS 5D Mark III
Compare the Lumix DMC-GH3 vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$699 - $899 body only

$999 - $1,279 with 18-135mm lens
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Weight Is significantly heavier
Viewfinder size Slightly smaller viewfinder
Compare the EOS 60D vs the EOS 5D Mark III
Compare the EOS 60D vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$549 body only

$599 - $649 with 18-55mm lens
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Lowest price Is significantly less expensive
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the EOS 5D Mark III
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$997 with 18-105mm lens
Dynamic range Has significantly wider dynamic range
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Weight Is significantly heavier
Viewfinder size Slightly smaller viewfinder
Compare the D7000 vs the EOS 5D Mark III
Compare the D7000 vs the Lumix DMC-GH2

Canon EOS 5D Mark III Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D800

Nikon D800

Pro DSLR

$2,797 - $3,297 body only

$3,187 with 70-300mm lens
True resolution Much higher true resolution
Overall image quality Better image quality
Light sensitivity Worse maximum light sensitivity
Cross type focus points Significantly fewer cross-type focus points
Compare the D800 vs the EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D600

Nikon D600

Pro DSLR

$1,997 body only

$2,397 with 24-85mm lens
Overall image quality Better image quality
Dynamic range More dynamic range
Light sensitivity Worse maximum light sensitivity
Cross type focus points Many fewer cross-type focus points
Compare the D600 vs the EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 1D X

Canon EOS 1D X

Pro DSLR

$6,799 body only
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity
Battery life Much longer battery life
Size Significantly larger
Weight Much heavier
Compare the EOS 1D X vs the EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D7100

Nikon D7100

Entry-level DSLR

$1,197 body only

$1,497 with 18-105mm lens
Dynamic range More dynamic range
Size Smaller
Light sensitivity Worse maximum light sensitivity
Sensor size Much smaller sensor
Compare the D7100 vs the EOS 5D Mark III

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$498 body only

$498 with 14-42mm lens
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Continuous shooting Shoots much faster
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Supports 24p No 24p support
Compare the Lumix DMC-G5 vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Panasonic Lumix G6

Panasonic Lumix G6

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$749 with 14-42mm lens
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity
Size Slightly smaller
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Supports 24p No 24p support
Compare the Lumix G6 vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$900 body only
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality
Color depth Better color depth
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Touch screen No touch screen
Compare the Lumix DMC-GH1 vs the Lumix DMC-GH2

appearance

Canon EOS 5D Mark III Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

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