• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.8 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 75.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon D7100 advantages over Panasonic LX100

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,256 vs 553 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.7 vs 12.5 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 950 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More pixels
    24.1 vs 12.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

Panasonic LX100 advantages over Nikon D7100

  • Less expensive
    $598* vs $849
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Thinner
    55 mm vs 76 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.25 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.6 fps vs 5.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    130 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.3 fps vs 5.3 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    22 vs 5 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Solid, ergonomic body design; Stunning, highly detailed photos, thanks to 24.1MP sensor upgrade and removal of optical low-pass filter; Cool 1.3x crop mode extends reach to nearly 2x the full-frame equivalent; Records Full 1080p HD video at up to 30fps with full-time AF; Many pro-level features packed into a consumer-friendly body at reasonable price.

  • Shallow buffer that hampers continuous burst shooting; AF slightly slower than average for its class; No real-time aperture control while in Movie mode (among other quirks); More noticeable moire patterns and aliasing artifacts (but only found when shooting fabrics with strong, distinct patterns).

  • Read our Nikon D7100 Review

  • Very good image quality; Great performance in most respects; Bright zoom lens with good macro performance; Photographer-friendly body easily fits in a coat pocket or small bag; Roomy, high-res built-in viewfinder; Decent battery life

  • Won't fit in a pants pocket; Relatively low resolution by modern standards; Zoom lens has only a modest telephoto; Soft corners at wide or tele positions; Aperture dial is too easily bumped; Bundled flash is fairly weak

  • Read our Panasonic LX100 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 70D

Nikon D7100
Canon 70D
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D7100 vs Canon 70D

Panasonic LX100
Canon 70D
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic LX100 vs Canon 70D

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Nikon D7100
Sony RX100 III
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D7100 vs Sony RX100 III

Panasonic LX100
Sony RX100 III
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Internal flash

Compare Panasonic LX100 vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Canon G7X

Nikon D7100
Canon G7X
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D7100 vs Canon G7X

Panasonic LX100
Canon G7X
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic LX100 vs Canon G7X

Compared to Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100
Pentax K-3
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D7100 vs Pentax K-3

Panasonic LX100
Pentax K-3
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic LX100 vs Pentax K-3

Compared to Nikon D5300

Nikon D7100
Nikon D5300
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D7100 vs Nikon D5300

Panasonic LX100
Nikon D5300
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic LX100 vs Nikon D5300

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