What's the difference between Baptists and Catholics?

Baptists and Catholics are two different forms of Christianity. Baptist churches are autonomous and recognize no church hierarchy. Catholics have several layers of clerical authority/hierarchy whose teachings direct the practice of religion and worship. Baptists are strongly against idols and the devotion shown toward images; Catholics are more accepting of using icons and images in their worship. Baptists usually recognize the Bible as the ultimate source of religious authority; Catholics also recognize non-Biblical traditions and clerical doctrine as directives for worship and guidelines for salvation.
The difference between Protestants and Roman Catholics? First and primarily, the sacraments: namely THE EUCHARIST. The Catholic Church follows the teachings of Jesus Christ. The early apostles gave their lives for the sake of the Gospel - "gospel" meaning 'Good News' / teachings of Jesus. From the earliest of scriptures and those early Church Fathers who succeeded the Apostles (Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin, Irenaeus and many more) all taught and continued the legacy of Jesus Christ, founder of Christianity. Among those teachings is the EUCHARIST; the giving of Jesus himself in the forms of bread and wine that through the mystery of "transubstantiation" become the Body and Blood of Jesus. This is what Catholics receive through the Liturgy of the Mass when they attend Church.

the founder of the Catholic Church is Jesus Christ.

the founder of the Lutheran Church is Martin Luther, 1517

the founder of the Calvinists is John Calvin, 1533

the founder of the Presbyterian church is John Knox, 1559

the founder of the Baptist Church is John Smyth, 1609

the founder of the Methodist church is John Wesley, 1739

Mormon's Adventists, Jehovah Witness etc. etc. all have human founders centuries after the time of Christ who have tried to rewrite the Good News, who claim the Catholic Church wrote it's own testament (look at the earliest writings of the apostles, early Church Fathers) The Catholic Church is the one true Church that has preserved the teachings of Jesus and through the Magisterium and the Holy Spirit has continued the legacy of love Jesus left for his disciples and followers.
Roman Catholics pledge allegiance to the Pope.
Protestants, coming from the word "protest" deny this allegiance and follow their own gospel, not the gospel according to Jesus Christ in the full extent of the gift Christ gave us.
Catholics believe in 7 sacraments. A sacrament is a 'sign' of Christ's living presence here on earth in which we receive 'grace'/blessings from. Baptism, Reconciliation, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders. These 7 sacraments all come from scriptures and the very words of Jesus who instituted them and are signs of his love and presence today.
There is so much more in what it means to be Catholic. the more you know, the truth is revealed and true understanding of the message of Christ comes through. There are many periodicals, articles and sources of information that can help one learn of the history, teachings, and truth of the Catholic Church. May God bless you in your endeavors and spiritual journey.  

Roman Catholic Answer

Catholicism was established by Jesus Christ on the Cross, and He sent the Holy Spirit to guide it into all truth and preserve It from error until the end of the world. He guaranteed that It would remain One, Holy, Catholic (universal), and Apostolic. In other words, the Catholic Church is the Church that God established to bring all people to salvation.

The Baptist Church was formed at the beginning of the 17th century with the Bible (minus seven books from the Old Testament that didn't agree with) as their sole rule of faith and every individual responsible for his own interpretation.

Bottom line? The Catholics are depending on God and His promises, while the Baptists are depending on their own individual interpretation of the Bible books that they thought were relevant.