Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16.05 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6
48
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6
45
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6 are both 2013 mirrorless cameras using the Micro Four Thirds mount, so every native lens fits either body. The G6 carries the larger, DSLR-style body with an eye-level electronic viewfinder, while the GF6 is the compact model built around its rear screen. The GF6 is the smaller and lighter camera: 111 x 65 x 38 mm and 323 g, against 122 x 85 x 71 mm and 390 g for the G6. Its 67 g lighter build and 38 mm depth make it the easier camera to slip into a coat pocket or small bag. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2013 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
April 24, 2013 | April 9, 2013 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 122 x 85 x 71 mm | 111 x 65 x 38 mm |
| Camera weight | 390 g | 323 g |
| Optics | 47/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe G6 is the stronger choice for moving subjects. It shoots at up to 7 fps against 4.2 fps on the GF6, and its 23 autofocus points let you place focus almost anywhere in the frame, where the GF6 offers a single point. The GF6 answers with a shorter exposure limit, 1/16000 second against 1/4000 on the G6, which helps you use wide apertures in bright daylight. Resolution is effectively identical at 16.05 versus 16 megapixels, and both use a CMOS sensor in the Micro Four Thirds format with a 160 to 12800 standard ISO range. Neither body offers in-body stabilisation, and only the G6 adds an electronic viewfinder for eye-level shooting. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.05 MP050 | 16 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4608 x 3456 | 4592 x 3448 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13 x 17.3 | 13 x 17.3 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
7 fps045 | 4.2 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Venus Engine IX | Venus Engine FHD |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
16030200 | 16030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
16030200 | 16030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
12044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 1600080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
230300 | 10300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | None |
| Viewfinder dots | 144000009900000 | N/A |
| Video | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor Full HD clips, neither camera gives you an edge: both top out at Full HD resolution, and 60 fps is the maximum frame rate on each. That is enough for smooth motion in family footage or fast action. Both also record AVCHD and MP4 files, which common editing software handles. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
AVCHD MP4 (Audio format AAC 2ch) | MP4, AVCHD |
| Features | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesBoth cameras handle composition the same way, with a 3-inch touch screen that flips out for waist-level or self-framed shots. Each also has built-in flash, a hot shoe for external flash units and Wi-Fi for sending photos to a phone. The screens carry different labels, LCD on the G6 and TFT LCD on the GF6, with a 4,000-dot difference at around 1.04 million dots each. That gap leaves no useful resolution advantage on either side. Neither camera offers GPS, Bluetooth or weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10360001150001500000 | 10400001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryCard choice and battery ratings are shared: both cameras record to a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card slot, and both are rated at 340 shots per charge under their test conditions. Neither charges over USB. They do take different battery packs, the DMW-BLC12 in the G6 and the DMW-BLG10E in the GF6, so a spare for one does not fit the other. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | DMW-BLC12 | DMW-BLG10E |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
340 shots1505000 | 340 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the G6 if you photograph children, pets, sports or wildlife. Its 7 fps burst captures more frames of a runner or a dog mid-leap, and its 23 autofocus points give you more freedom over where focus lands. The electronic viewfinder lets you follow the action at eye level in bright light.
Choose the GF6 when a light, take-everywhere camera matters more than action shooting. At 323 g and 38 mm deep it is the one that fits a coat pocket, and you keep the same ISO range, Full HD video, flipping touch screen and 340-shot rating. For photographers who expect to grow into action and eye-level work, the G6 is the better buy.