• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic GM5 advantages over Sony RX100 VA

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.77 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sony RX100 VA advantages over Panasonic GM5

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/50 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    6 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.22 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.59x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    23.9 fps vs 5.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    233 vs 56 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    23.9 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    103 vs 7 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/16000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Great image quality for a tiny camera; Excellent high ISO for its class; Built-in EVF; Built-in hot-shoe; Improved ergonomics; Improved image quality for long exposures; Improved burst rate with hybrid shutter; 1080/60p video.

  • Slightly bigger than GM1 (but not by much); No built-in flash; Shallow buffers with RAW files; Dynamic range not quite as good as some competing models; Below average battery life.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GM1

Panasonic GM5
Panasonic GM1
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
Sony RX100 VA
Panasonic GM1
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GM5
Panasonic GF7
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Hot shoe
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
Sony RX100 VA
Panasonic GF7
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony RX100 V

Panasonic GM5
Sony RX100 V
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
Sony RX100 VA
Sony RX100 V
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $998
  • 1 inch

Compared to Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GM5
Panasonic GX850
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
Sony RX100 VA
Panasonic GX850
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony ZV-1

Panasonic GM5
Sony ZV-1
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $800
  • 1 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
Sony RX100 VA
Sony ZV-1
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Internal flash
  • $800
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth
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