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

Updated (March, 2012): Compare the Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

74
"The original 5D was the first 'affordable' and lightweight full frame camera, and set a standard for low noise at high ISO settings that remains competitive three years later."
dpreview.com | talking about the 5D Mark II's iso-noise
"The 'denser' build and slightly chunkier grip on the EOS 5D Mark II does make it feel that bit more substantial than the EOS 50D, you know there's something special about it from the moment you lift it. That said it's also lighter than an EOS-1D series (obviously) and therefore is more portable for it."
dpreview.com | talking about the 5D Mark II's feel

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 5D Mark II

True resolution
 High true resolution
21 MP
Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
1,815 ISO
Sensor size
 Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Viewfinder size
 Large viewfinder
0.71x
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

39
"The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 produced images of excellent quality."
photographyblog.com | talking about the DMC-GH2's image-quality
"It produces noise-free images at ISO 100 to 400, with limited noise starting to appear at ISO 800."
photographyblog.com | talking about the DMC-GH2's iso-noise

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 II
Weather sealed Weather sealed Yes vs No
Help
 Sealed to shoot in the rain
Sensor size Much larger sensor Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm
Help
 Around 4x larger sensor
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 79.0 vs 60.0
Help
 More than 30% better image quality
Autofocus Faster autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
 Catch candid moments easily
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen 920k dots vs 460k dots
Help
 2x higher resolution screen
Low light performance Significantly lower noise at high ISO 1,815 ISO vs 655 ISO
Help
 The 5D Mark II has excellent image quality 1.5 f-stops higher ISO than the DMC-GH2
Battery life Much longer battery life 850 shots vs 330 shots
Help
 More than 2.5x more shots per battery charge
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution 21 MP vs 15.9 MP
Help
 Capture more than 30% more detail in your photos
Color depth Better color depth 23.7 bits vs 21.2 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 2.5 more bits of color
Lens availability Significantly more lenses available 125 lenses vs 26 lenses
Help
 Around 5x more lenses available
Dynamic range More dynamic range 11.9 EV vs 11.3 EV
Help
 0.6 f-stops more dynamic range
Startup delay Less startup delay 400 ms vs 1100 ms
Help
 2.7x less delay when turning on
Viewfinder Has an optical viewfinder Pentaprism vs Digital
Help
 Optical viewfinders save battery life and are more detailed
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 25,600 ISO vs 12,800 ISO
Help
 The 5D Mark II's boost ISO is 1 f-stop better
Fastest shutter speed Faster max shutter speed 1/8000s vs 1/4000s
Help
 2x faster max shutter speed
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Learn more about
the Canon 5D Mark II

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
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
Size Smaller 124x90x76 mm vs 152x114x75 mm
Help
 More than 30% smaller
Autofocus Video autofocus Contrast detection vs None
Help
 Automatically focuses shooting video
Weight Much lighter 444 g vs 850 g
Help
 Around 50% 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
Focus points More focus points 23 vs 9
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Lowest price Significantly cheaper $849.00 vs $2,198.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $1,349 cheaper (2.6x less)
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 5 fps vs 3.9 fps
Help
 Around 30% faster continuous shooting
Longest exposure Significantly 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 II Canon EOS 5D Mark II
74 vs 39
Explain scores
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. 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.

advice

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2
votes
by Char-Sevig last month
Canon 50D vs Canon 5D Mark II

I currently have a canon xsi, with several lenses. A canon 70-200mm f/4 L ,55-250mm, 50mm 1.8 ,18-...

One person recommends the Canon 5D Mark II:

"I recently upgraded from the XSi to the 5D Mark II and couldn't be happier. As I'm sure you know, ..."
0
votes
by Poti-Jouseevis-Potgieter last month
Canon 600D vs Canon 5D Mark II

beginner at taking fotos and want to take the perfect pictures

3 people recommend the Canon 600D:

" If you are a "beginner at taking fotos and want to take the perfect pictures" I would recommend ..."

" If you are completely new to DSLR photography then having a 5D2 will give you a very steep learn..."

" The 5D Mark II is a far superior camera to the 600D.  But if you're going to be doing sport and ..."
0
votes
by Kostas-Nomikos last month
Canon 600D vs Canon 5D Mark II

Which is better for video shooting?
0
votes
by ZeroXR last week
Canon 5D Mark II vs Canon 60D

I am considering a future upgrade later on down the line between the 5D Mark II and the 60D. To ...
0
votes
by Ahmed-Khalil last month
Canon 5D Mark II vs Canon 60D

I'm a beginner with such kind of cameras. I want to have my own camera to shoot my short films a...

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
Movie format Full HD (1080p) video Help
5D Mark II:1080p @ 30fps
DMC-GH2:1080p @ 60fps
True resolution Capture extremely high resolution images Help
5D Mark II:21 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
Sensor size Large sensors Help
5D Mark II:Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
DMC-GH2:Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm
Supports RAW RAW support Help
Better editing
External flash Support external flash Help
Better lighting
Sensor cleaning Self cleaning sensors Help
Avoids dust in your photos
Viewfinder Viewfinders Help
5D Mark II:Pentaprism
DMC-GH2:Digital
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
5D Mark II:1/8000s
DMC-GH2:1/4000s
Longest exposure Long exposures Help
5D Mark II:30s
DMC-GH2:60s
Thickness Quite thick Help
3"
Weight Heavy Help
5D Mark II:850 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 II:152x114x75 mm
DMC-GH2:124x90x76 mm
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
5D Mark II:1
DMC-GH2:0

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,549 - $1,821 body only

$1,500 - $1,849 with 18-135mm lens
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Cross type focus points Has significantly more cross-type focus points
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is much heavier
Compare the EOS 7D vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the EOS 7D vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 - $1,197 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens
Dynamic range Has slightly 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 II
Compare the D7000 vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 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 II
Compare the EOS 60D vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Nikon D800

Nikon D800

Pro DSLR

$2,999 - $3,000 body only
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Screen size Has a slightly larger screen
Lowest price Is significantly more expensive
Weight Is much heavier
Compare the D800 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the D800 vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Thickness Is thinner
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Viewfinder size Significantly smaller viewfinder
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens
Dynamic range Has slightly wider dynamic range
HDR Has in-camera HDR
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the D5100 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the D5100 vs the Lumix DMC-GH2

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Pro DSLR

$3,499 - $3,500 body only

$4,299 - $4,300 with 24-105mm lens
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity
Cross type focus points Many more cross-type focus points
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Weight Heavier
Compare the EOS 5D Mark III vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Nikon D700

Nikon D700

Pro DSLR

$2,199 body only
Focus points Significantly more focus points
Cross type focus points Significantly more cross-type focus points
Movie format Does not take movies
True resolution Much lower true resolution
Compare the D700 vs the EOS 5D Mark II

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$500 body only

$700 with 14-42mm lens
Size Smaller
Thickness Thinner
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Supports 24p No 24p support
Compare the Lumix DMC-G3 vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Olympus OM-D E-M5

Olympus OM-D E-M5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$1,000 - $1,299 body only

$1,100 with 14-42mm lens
Screen type Has an OLED screen
Weather sealed Weather sealed
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Supports 24p No 24p support
Compare the OM-D E-M5 vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$643 - $1,125 body only

$739 - $964 with 14-42mm lens
Size Significantly smaller
HDR Has in-camera HDR
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Compare the Lumix DMC-GX1 vs the Lumix DMC-GH2

appearance

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

discussion

Showing 1 comments

Matsyd (11:15 PM, August 18, 2011)
Recording time from the GH2 should not be forgotten and value for money (Score should really be 78 vs 75). The GH2 Kills the 5DII except for the Full Frame and a couple of pixels. The use of Canon FD Glass on the GH2 is awesome and impressive.(Most displays are 16:9 for photo viewing) Flickr has so many amazing examples.. The GH2 really is a feature packed camera and I am a long time Canon Photographer… I just don't think Canon got it right with the 5DII so many photographers held off from this purchase. Can't wait to see a Full Frame Mirrorless from either Panasonic or Canon or Nikon.