Both are great detectors like any of the Sovereigns, but I feel the GT is more sensitive and give a better signal on deeper targets than the Elite does. The Elite was the only Sovereign that they had moved the controls around so it made it harder for some of us to adjust as we were used to the controls where they were on our older models. They put the main controls back on the GT where the older ones were plus added the silent search for those that like it plus with just a flip of a toggle switch. They also added 2 other toggle switches, one for iron mask on or off on the GT as the older Sovereign like the Elite were always on other than the Original Sovereign had this too. On will get you coins close to trash, but may false a little more while off a coin close to iron or any disc out item would null. Now on the GT they also added another toggle switch so when in all metal you can now track and lock the Ground balance making the GT able to be used for Prospecting, this switch also had pinpoint as it was a 3 position toggle switch that was only active when in all metal. The other Sovereigns like the Elite only had the all metal pinpoint, so I feel Minelab added quite a few new items to the GT over the Elite plus I feel my GTs I have used gets more depth with better signals than the Elites I have used. I think if you are new to the Sovereigns you wont even notice a difference in the 2, but those that know the Sovereign well probably will notice the difference more.
Like I say the Sovereign models all are great detectors and they do well, just takes time and patience and you will do well.
Rick