Canon Rebel
T2i
 vs
Panasonic Lumix
DMC-GH1

Updated (February, 2011): Compare the Canon Rebel T3i vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

Canon EOS Rebel T2i

86
"Excellent detail and resolution"
dpreview.com | talking about the T2i's image-quality
"Since the body shell is virtually identical to the EOS 500D that it replaces, the handling is also virtually identical, meaning the grip still feels a bit fiddly unless you're got very delicate hands."
dpreview.com | talking about the T2i's feel

Reasons to buy the Canon Rebel T2i

Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
1,040k dots
Size
 Really small
Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm
True resolution
 High true resolution
17.9 MP
Supports 24p
 24p movies
For that film look
External mic jack
 External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

42

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

Supports 24p
 24p movies
For that film look
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Movie continuous focus
 Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Badge
 Autofocuses shooting video
Contrast detection
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Weight
 Light-weight
430 g

differences

Advantages of the Canon T2i
Autofocus Faster autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
 Catch candid moments easily
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen 1,040k dots vs 460k dots
Help
 Around 2.5x higher resolution screen
External mic jack Has an external mic jack Yes vs No
Help
 Record high quality audio with an external microphone
Lens availability Much more lenses available 162 lenses vs 26 lenses
Help
 More than 6x more lenses available
True resolution Much higher true resolution 17.9 MP vs 12 MP
Help
 Capture around 50% more detail in your photos
Startup delay Significantly less startup delay 400 ms vs 1800 ms
Help
 4.5x less delay when turning on
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Help
 The T2i's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
Color depth Better color depth 22.1 bits vs 21.6 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.5 more bits of color
Sensor cleaning Has a self cleaning sensor Yes vs No
Help
 Removes dust from the sensor automatically, avoiding spots in photos
Battery life Longer battery life 440 shots vs 320 shots
Help
 Around 40% more shots per battery charge
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 66.0 vs 64.0
Help
 Almost the same
Size Slightly smaller 129x98x62 mm vs 124x90x76 mm
Help
 Around 10% smaller
Thickness Thinner 2.4" vs 3"
Help
 Around 20% thinner
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 12,800 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The T2i's boost ISO is 2 f-stops better
Viewfinder Has an optical viewfinder Pentamirror vs Digital
Help
 Optical viewfinders save battery life and are more detailed
Lowest price Cheaper $499.00 vs $1,299.99
Help
 The best price we've seen is $801 cheaper (2.6x less)
Cross type focus points Slightly more cross-type focus points 1 vs 0
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag 252 ms vs 336 ms
Help
 Around 30% less delay when taking photos
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 3.7 fps vs 3 fps
Help
 More than 20% faster continuous shooting
Canon EOS Rebel T2i Learn more about
the Canon T2i

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-GH1
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
Autofocus Video autofocus Contrast detection vs None
Help
 Automatically focuses shooting video
Focus points More focus points 23 vs 9
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Weight Lighter 430 g vs 530 g
Help
 Around 20% lighter
Dynamic range More dynamic range 11.6 EV vs 11.5 EV
Help
 0.1 f-stops more dynamic range
Longest exposure Significantly longer exposures 60s vs 30s
Help
 2x longer exposures
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-GH1
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Canon EOS Rebel T2i Canon Rebel T2i
86 vs 42
Explain scores
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Canon EOS Rebel T2i. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a entry-level DSLR with a mirrorless interchangeable-lens.

performance Which camera has better performance? Cast your vote!

CanonRebel T2i
 Canon EOS Rebel T2i vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
PanasonicLumix DMC-GH1
Uses Travel score Travel
On holiday or vacation
0
1
Vote Vote
Sports score Sports
Fast action, sometimes indoors
1
0
Vote Vote
Features Color accuracy Color accuracy
White balance in varied lighting
0
1
Vote Vote
Autofocus peformance Still image focusing
Speed and accuracy
0
1
Vote Vote
Autofocus performance Video focusing
Speed and accuracy
0
1
Vote Vote
Manual controls Manual settings
How quickly and easily you can change settings
1
0
Vote Vote
Build quality Build quality
Is it sturdy, well made, plastic or metal
0
1
Vote Vote
Green arrow Join in the discussion below!

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Movie format Full HD (1080p) video Help
T2i:1080p @ 30fps
DMC-GH1:1080p @ 24fps
Supports 24p Both support 24p, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these Help
For that film look
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
Low light performance Relatively low noise at high ISO Help
T2i:784 ISO
DMC-GH1:772 ISO
True resolution Capture very high resolution images Help
T2i:17.9 MP
DMC-GH1:12 MP
External flash Support external flash Help
Better lighting
Viewfinder Viewfinders Help
T2i:Pentamirror
DMC-GH1:Digital
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/4000 of a second
Longest exposure Long exposures Help
T2i:30s
DMC-GH1:60s
Weight Heavy Help
T2i:530 g
DMC-GH1:430 g
Thickness Quite thick Help
T2i:2.4"
DMC-GH1:3"
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Size Large Help
T2i:129x98x62 mm
DMC-GH1:124x90x76 mm
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
T2i:1
DMC-GH1:0

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$609 - $800 body only

$709 - $1,180 with 18-55mm lens
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$650 - $749 body only

$600 - $750 with 18-55mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Dynamic range Has significantly wider dynamic range
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the D5100 vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the D5100 vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $984 with 18-55mm lens
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Screen resolution Has a slightly lower resolution screen
Compare the D3100 vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the D3100 vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Canon EOS Rebel T1i

Canon Rebel T1i

Entry-level DSLR

$445 - $629 body only

$504 - $609 with 18-55mm lens
Weight Is slightly heavier
Supports 24p Doesn't record movies in 24p
Compare the Rebel T1i vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the Rebel T1i vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$899 - $1,304 body only

$1,138 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens
Battery life Has a much longer battery life
Cross type focus points Has significantly more cross-type focus points
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the EOS 60D vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the EOS 60D vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,329 - $1,821 body only

$1,498 - $1,800 with 28-135mm lens
Weather sealed Has a weather sealed body
Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is much heavier
Compare the EOS 7D vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the EOS 7D vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Pro DSLR

$2,400 body only

$2,799 - $2,839 with 24-105mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Lowest price Is much more expensive
Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash
Compare the EOS 5D Mark II vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the EOS 5D Mark II vs the Lumix DMC-GH1

Canon EOS Rebel T2i Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$379 body only

$460 - $550 with 18-55mm lens
Battery life Significantly longer battery life
Weight Lighter
Screen resolution Much lower resolution screen
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the Rebel T2i
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$869 - $897 body only

$1,099 - $1,200 with 18-105mm lens
Battery life Significantly longer battery life
Overall image quality Better image quality
Movie format Lower resolution movies
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Compare the D90 vs the Rebel T2i

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$1,199 - $1,499 with 14-140mm lens
Touch screen Has a touch screen
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Overall image quality Slightly worse image quality
Color depth Worse color depth
Compare the Lumix DMC-GH2 vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$642 - $649 with 14-42mm lens
Touch screen Has a touch screen
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Supports 24p No 24p support
Compare the Lumix DMC-G2 vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$549 body only
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Size Smaller
Supports 24p No 24p support
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Compare the Lumix DMC-G3 vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$754 body only

$916 - $964 with 14-42mm lens
Size Significantly smaller
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity
Supports 24p No 24p support
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Compare the Lumix DMC-GX1 vs the Lumix DMC-GH1

appearance

Canon EOS Rebel T2i Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
Canon EOS Rebel T2i Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
Canon EOS Rebel T2i Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

Find similar cameras

Here are some links to help you find other cameras with similar features to both of these:

discussion Which do you think is better?

Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of these cameras here, and discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community.

Showing 6 comments

Avatar for lpereira89 lpereira89 (8:05 PM, March 25, 2011)
t2i records 720p 60fps, 1080p 30fps and 24fps
 
Avatar for lpereira89 lpereira89 (8:05 PM, March 25, 2011)
t2i records 720p 60fps, 1080p 30fps and 24fps
 
Avatar for Alex Black Alex Black (5:40 PM, April 14, 2010)
We've fixed the specs on the GH1 movie capability, thanks!
 
Avatar for drfilms drfilms (1:34 PM, April 13, 2010)
Gh1 can record longer than 12minutes at a time and doesn't overheat so it can fill a 32GB card no problem.
 
Avatar for Alex Black Alex Black (1:21 PM, April 13, 2010)
Thanks for the comment. Good call, looks like our video specs for the GH1 are not accurate, we'll get those fixed.

Both the GH1 and the T2i look like great cameras. Even after the updated video specs, Snapsort might still declare the T2i a winner due to its larger sensor size and higher resolution LCD.
 
Avatar for betterthayou betterthayou (6:51 AM, April 13, 2010)
The GH1 records 720p at 60fps and 1080p at 24fps (film speed) so it should be at least equal if not the winner