• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GH3 advantages over Sony RX100 VA

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 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
    ~0.80 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 540 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.67x vs 0.59x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 233 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony RX100 VA advantages over Panasonic GH3

  • 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
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 82 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    6 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    299g vs 555g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 205k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    23.9 fps vs 6.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    23.9 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    103 vs 24 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GH3
Body Only
All GH3 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony RX100 VA
Sony RX100 VA
All RX100 VA Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Professional quality video in a compact body; Still image quality ranks with the best mirrorless models and even some prosumer DSLRs; Fast autofocus; Rugged, weatherized camera build; Reasonably priced for its advanced feature set; Large selection of high quality lenses.

  • Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Live View not available during high speed bursts; High ISO image quality and dynamic range not quite as good as top APS-C cameras.

  • Read our Panasonic GH3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic G5

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic G5
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Higher-res screen

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic G5

Sony RX100 VA
Panasonic G5
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Panasonic G5

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH3
Olympus E-M1
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Olympus E-M1

Sony RX100 VA
Olympus E-M1
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic GH4
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic GH4

Sony RX100 VA
Panasonic GH4
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Panasonic GH4

Compared to Sony RX100 V

Panasonic GH3
Sony RX100 V
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 VA
Sony RX100 V
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $998
  • 1 inch

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Sony RX100 V

Compared to Sony ZV-1

Panasonic GH3
Sony ZV-1
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $800
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Sony ZV-1

Sony RX100 VA
Sony ZV-1
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Internal flash
  • $800
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Sony ZV-1

Compare Other Cameras?