• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Sony RX100 III

  • Less expensive
    $450 vs $748*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 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
    ~1.40 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    618 vs 495 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • 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 III advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    48 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 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

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
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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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Kit with 14-42mm Lens
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  • Kit with 14-42mm Power Lens
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Buy the Sony RX100 III
Sony RX100 Mark III
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Review Excerpt

  • Small body pairs nicely with compact, retractable Power Zoom lens. Extremely fast autofocus. Worthwhile improvements in image quality. Touchscreen overlays can now be hidden.

  • LCD panel is prone to fingerprint smudges. Weak flash, and no hot shoe. Modest burst performance, and very limited buffer for raw shooting. Noise levels and dynamic range still lag competition.

  • Read our Panasonic GF5 Review

  • Pocket-friendly design; Popup electronic viewfinder; Bright lens across the zoom range; Great performance with very fast autofocus; Very high resolution gives lots of detail in good light; High ISO noise levels much better than most pocket camera rivals; Wi-Fi wireless networking

  • Feels a little unbalanced without an accessory grip; Not as much telephoto reach as its siblings; Noise processing is heavier-handed than in earlier models; Quite pricey for a fixed-lens camera

  • Read our Sony RX100 III Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100

Panasonic GF5
Sony RX100
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Sony RX100

Sony RX100 III
Sony RX100
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Faster RAW shooting

Compare Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100

Compared to Sony RX100 II

Panasonic GF5
Sony RX100 II
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100 III
Sony RX100 II
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 II

Compared to Canon G7X

Panasonic GF5
Canon G7X
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Canon G7X

Sony RX100 III
Canon G7X
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony RX100 III vs Canon G7X

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic LX100
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic LX100

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

Compare Sony RX100 III vs Panasonic LX100

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PL3

Sony RX100 III
Olympus E-PL3
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 III vs Olympus E-PL3

Compare Other Cameras?