Canon EOS
7D
 vs
Panasonic Lumix
DMC-GH2

Canon EOS 7D

63
Winner

Canon EOS 7D
"Very good low-light performance, low noise levels and good retention of detail"
dpreview.com | talking about the 7D's iso-noise
"Improved button and control layout over 50D/5D Mark II"
dpreview.com | talking about the 7D's button-layout

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 7D

Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Cross type focus points
 Many cross-type focus points
19
Built-in flash
 Built-in flash
External flash not needed
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 7D
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
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen 920k dots vs 460k dots
Help
 2x higher resolution screen
Lens availability Much more lenses available 162 lenses vs 26 lenses
Help
 More than 6x more lenses available
Battery life Significantly longer battery life 800 shots vs 330 shots
Help
 Around 2.5x more shots per battery charge
Cross type focus points Significantly more cross-type focus points 19 vs 0
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
Overall image quality Better image quality 66.0 vs 60.0
Help
 10% better image quality
Color depth Better color depth 22 bits vs 21.2 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.8 more bits of color
True resolution Higher true resolution 17.9 MP vs 15.9 MP
Help
 Capture more than 10% more detail in your photos
Sensor size Larger sensor APS-C 22.3x14.9mm vs Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm
Help
 Around 50% larger sensor
Dynamic range More dynamic range 11.7 EV vs 11.3 EV
Help
 0.4 f-stops more dynamic range
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 8 fps vs 5 fps
Help
 60% faster continuous shooting
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 854 ISO vs 655 ISO
Help
 The 7D has a slight edge (0.4 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Viewfinder Has an optical viewfinder Pentaprism vs Digital
Help
 Optical viewfinders save battery life and are more detailed
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag 131 ms vs 273 ms
Help
 2.1x less delay when taking photos
Fastest shutter speed Faster max shutter speed 1/8000s vs 1/4000s
Help
 2x faster max shutter speed
Canon EOS 7D Learn more about
the Canon 7D

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
Autofocus Video autofocus Contrast detection vs None
Help
 Automatically focuses shooting video
Size Smaller 124x90x76 mm vs 148x111x74 mm
Help
 More than 30% smaller
Weight Much lighter 444 g vs 860 g
Help
 Around 50% lighter
Longest exposure Significantly longer exposures 60s vs 30s
Help
 2x longer exposures
Focus points Slightly more focus points 23 vs 19
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Lowest price Cheaper $849.00 vs $1,500.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $651 cheaper (more than 40% less)
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 7D Canon EOS 7D
63 vs 39
Explain scores
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Canon EOS 7D. 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

Need help deciding?

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I am considering either the Canon 7D or the Panasonic DMC-GH2,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

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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
7D:1080p @ 30fps
DMC-GH2:1080p @ 60fps
True resolution Capture extremely high resolution images Help
7D:17.9 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
7D:APS-C 22.3x14.9mm
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
7D:Pentaprism
DMC-GH2:Digital
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
7D:1/8000s
DMC-GH2:1/4000s
Longest exposure Long exposures Help
7D:30s
DMC-GH2:60s
Thickness Quite thick Help
7D:2.9"
DMC-GH2:3"
Weight Heavy Help
7D:860 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
7D:148x111x74 mm
DMC-GH2:124x90x76 mm
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 - $1,197 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Startup delay Has slightly less startup delay
Weight Is significantly heavier
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the D7000 vs the EOS 7D
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
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Weight Is significantly heavier
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the EOS 60D vs the EOS 7D
Compare the EOS 60D vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Pro DSLR

$2,198 body only

$2,898 - $2,999 with 24-105mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash
Compare the EOS 5D Mark II vs the EOS 7D
Compare the EOS 5D Mark II 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
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the EOS 7D
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Dynamic range Has slightly wider dynamic range
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the D5100 vs the EOS 7D
Compare the D5100 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
Startup delay Has slightly less startup delay
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Viewfinder size Slightly smaller viewfinder
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the EOS 7D
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Sony SLT-A77

Sony SLT A77

Pro DSLR

$1,398 body only

$1,998 with 16-50mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the SLT A77 vs the EOS 7D
Compare the SLT A77 vs the Lumix DMC-GH2

Canon EOS 7D 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
Sensor size Much larger sensor
Built-in flash No built-in flash
Lens availability Fewer lenses available
Compare the EOS 5D Mark III vs the EOS 7D

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 7D Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
Canon EOS 7D Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
Canon EOS 7D Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

discussion

Showing 4 comments

Avatar for Brad Brad (9:14 PM, February 23, 2012)
Sure you can use an adapter, you can use one on the Canon as well. That's not really an advantage. And no, the GH2 does not have more dynamic range than the Canon. Further, the use of custom picture styles on the Canon enables maximum use of its available dynamic range.
 
Neil (1:19 PM, October 22, 2011)
I agree with Jack, don't be fooled by the small size and small price of the Panasonic, it can match the Canon in SO many ways.....and if you want to use it for video, then that is THE camera to choose. I use DSLR's for filming and the GH2 is THE best....and as Jack says with adaptors available you can use so many different lenses. Go for the Panasonic. 
 
Jack Frost (7:42 PM, September 20, 2011)
Saying the 7D has more lens choices is a bit disingenuous seeing as the GH2 can use Canon, Nikon, Leica and PL mount lenses in addition to the native Micro Four Thirds by using adapters (and a slightly bigger crop factor than the 7D).  Yes, the Canon can use lenses with auto focus and auto exposure, but I think this fact is worth mentioning.

Also, for video, there's no comparison.  The GH2 outperforms both the 7D and the 5D in terms of resolution and dynamic range - even without the firmware hack.  When it's hacked, it's capable of high bitrate intra-frame only capture, which puts it on par with cameras costing 20 to 30 times as much, leaving all the DSLRs in the dust.

Just my $0.02
 
Avatar for Ivor Biggun Ivor Biggun (3:45 AM, August 07, 2011)
for movies, the GH2 appears to be more practical and efficient