• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 400.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic FZ1000 advantages over Sony A5100

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • Fast startup
    ~1.20 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 230k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.23 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.5 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A5100 advantages over Panasonic FZ1000

  • Less expensive
    $448 vs $748*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 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
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,347 vs 517 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 130 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    25 vs 11 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

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
  • 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
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Extremely compact compared to interchangeable-lens camera with similar lenses; Comfortable grip and controls; Bright, far-reaching 16x zoom lens; Excellent electronic viewfinder; Versatile tilt/swivel LCD; Excellent performance; Great image quality

  • Body materials feel a bit plasticky; Connector compartment door is fiddly; Limited raw buffer depth; Battery life below average for class; No built-in neutral density filter

  • Read our Panasonic FZ1000 Review

  • Very small and comfortable form factor; Very good image quality for its class; New dual video record function; Quick autofocus and good dynamic range.

  • Lacks an EVF and external mode dial; No hot shoe; JPEG processing at higher ISOs not as good as some competing mid-level models.

  • Read our Sony A5100 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX10

Panasonic FZ1000
Sony RX10
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $698
  • 1 inch
  • Top deck display
  • Integrated ND filter

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Sony RX10

Sony A5100
Sony RX10
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $698
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A5100 vs Sony RX10

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Panasonic FZ1000
Samsung NX1100
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Samsung NX1100

Sony A5100
Samsung NX1100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Sony A5000

Panasonic FZ1000
Sony A5000
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Sony A5000

Sony A5100
Sony A5000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A5100 vs Sony A5000

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Panasonic FZ1000
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Sony A5100
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A5100 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Compared to Panasonic FZ2500

Panasonic FZ1000
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic FZ2500

Sony A5100
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony A5100 vs Panasonic FZ2500

Compare Other Cameras?