Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6
45
SCORE
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Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7
52
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 are both 2013 mirrorless cameras on the Micro 4/3 lens mount, so either gives you access to the same native lens system. The GF6 is the smaller and lighter body at 111 x 65 x 38 mm and 323 g. The GX7 measures 123 x 71 x 55 mm and weighs 402 g, a 79 g difference, and it offers an electronic viewfinder and in-body stabilisation the GF6 does not have. | ||
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 9, 2013 | August 1, 2013 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 111 x 65 x 38 mm | 123 x 71 x 55 mm |
| Camera weight | 323 g | 402 g |
| Optics | 43/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe GX7 is the stronger choice for handheld shooting, offering in-body stabilisation and an electronic viewfinder the GF6 lacks. Its 2764800-dot finder allows eye-level framing, while the GF6 relies entirely on its rear screen. Resolution is shared: both use a 16 MP CMOS sensor in the Micro Four Thirds format. For action the GX7 is stronger, shooting at 5 fps against 4.2 fps and covering 23 autofocus points against the GF6's single point. The GF6's 1/16000 second top shutter keeps wide apertures usable in bright daylight, where the GX7 reaches 1/8000. The GX7's standard ISO ceiling of 25600 is twice the GF6's 12800. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16 MP050 | 16 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4592 x 3448 | 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. |
4.2 fps045 | 5 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 FHD | Venus Engine |
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 | 20030200 |
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 | 256003003280000 |
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 | 12530200 |
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. |
6044080 | 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. |
1600080032000 | 800080032000 |
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. |
10300 | 230300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
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. |
None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 276480009900000 |
| Video | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor video neither camera has an advantage: both record up to Full HD resolution, and both reach a maximum frame rate of 60 fps. Neither has a built-in timelapse mode, so interval work needs external triggering on both. One practical difference matters at the editing stage: the GF6 records in both MP4 and AVCHD, giving you a choice of file workflows, while the GX7 records MP4 only. If your existing pipeline favours AVCHD, the GF6 is the one that fits it. | ||
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. |
MP4, AVCHD | MP4 |
| Features | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesFor waist-level and selfie framing, both offer a 3-inch, 1040000-dot touch screen that flips out, plus Wi-Fi for transferring images to a phone. A built-in flash is present on both, and both accept external flash units. Both lack GPS for geotagging, and neither has weather sealing, so both need care in dust or rain. Neither supports Bluetooth. | ||
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 | TFT LCD | 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. |
10400001150001500000 | 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 BatteryStorage is shared: both take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, so the same cards carry between them. Battery ratings are close, with the GF6 at 340 shots and the GX7 at 350 shots under their respective test conditions, a 10-shot difference. Neither camera charges over USB, so both need their dedicated chargers. The GF6 uses a DMW-BLG10E pack, while the GX7 uses a 7.2V, 1200 mAh lithium-ion battery. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | DMW-BLG10E | Li-Ion, 7.2V, 1200 mAh |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
340 shots1505000 | 350 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The GX7 is the better buy for most photographers. Its in-body stabilisation steadies handheld shots with unstabilised lenses, and its electronic viewfinder allows eye-level framing. Its 23 autofocus points and 5 fps burst rating suit moving children, pets and sport better than the GF6's single point and 4.2 fps.
Choose the GF6 when the smallest body matters most: at 323 g and 38 mm deep, against 402 g and 55 mm for the GX7, it is the lighter and slimmer camera. Both offer 16 MP Micro Four Thirds shooting, the same lens mount and Full HD video, so the choice rests on whether the GX7's viewfinder and stabilisation matter more than the GF6's smaller size.