• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic G2 advantages over Sony RX100

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    493 vs 390 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony RX100 advantages over Panasonic G2

  • Less expensive
    $650 vs $800 (MSRP)
    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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • More dynamic range
    12.4 vs 10.3 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 74 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.15 vs 0.42 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 3.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony RX100

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent high-ISO performance for such a compact model; Smart controls; Small body; Bright lens; 10fps full-res burst mode; Very fast shutter response; Excellent LCD.

  • Lens flare at night; Poor rendering of yellows; Slow flash recycling; Soft corners wide open; Continuous AF mode slow to lock.

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100 II

Panasonic G2
Sony RX100 II
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony RX100
Sony RX100 II
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • Faster RAW shooting
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Panasonic G2
Sony RX100 III
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony RX100
Sony RX100 III
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Faster RAW shooting
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Panasonic G10

Panasonic G2
Panasonic G10
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
Sony RX100
Panasonic G10
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic G5

Panasonic G2
Panasonic G5
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • More dots on screen
Sony RX100
Panasonic G5
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Panasonic G2
Panasonic GH3
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Sony RX100
Panasonic GH3
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Compare Other Cameras?