Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A1

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Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A1

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4/3 224.9mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH5 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GH5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GH5.
Compare Panasonic GH5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GH5 conclusion.

35mm 861.6mm²
50.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 32,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A1.
Compare Sony A1 image quality against competitors.

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Differences

Panasonic GH5 advantages over Sony A1

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$1298 vs $5498*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
600 vs 165 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony A1 advantages over Panasonic GH5

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Slower slow-motion
240 fps vs 180 fps
Supports slower slow-mo
Bigger pixels
~ 4.16 vs 3.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Longer video battery life
150 vs 55 minutes
Capture more video
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

530 vs 410 shots
Capture more photos
Higher max flash sync
1/400 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
4 years vs 8 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More viewfinder magnification
0.90x vs 0.76x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
50.1 vs 20.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
30.0 fps vs 11.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 11.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
155 vs 65 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/16000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH5 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A1 User Reviews

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Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaking Kit
Kit with 12-60mm lens

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Body Only

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Review Excerpt

20MP sensor; Better per-pixel sharpness; Very good, slightly improved dynamic range and high ISOs; Stellar 4K video up to 60p with no crop; 6K Photo; Dual UHS-II SD slots; Good battery life for its class.
Buffer is deep, but slow to clear; Expensive; Menus still confusing; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.
Read our Panasonic GH5 Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Sony A1, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Sony A1 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic GH5

Olympus E-M1 II

$1348
4/3

Built-in Bluetooth
Bigger JPEG buffer

$899
4/3

Less expensive
High resolution composite

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Sony A1

Olympus E-M1 II

$5831
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A1 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Compared to Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G9

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

$948
4/3

High resolution composite
Top deck display

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G9

Sony A1

Panasonic G9

$5831
35mm

Larger sensor
Slower slow-motion

$948
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A1 vs Panasonic G9

Compared to Panasonic G95

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G95

$1348
4/3

Slower slow-motion
Longer stills battery life

$848
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G95

Sony A1

Panasonic G95

$5831
35mm

Larger sensor
Slower slow-motion

$848
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A1 vs Panasonic G95

Compared to Sony A7R IV

Panasonic GH5

Sony A7R IV

$1348
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$3217
35mm

Larger sensor
High resolution composite

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A7R IV

Sony A1

Sony A7R IV

$5831
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Longer video battery life

$3217
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony A7R IV

Compared to Canon R5

Panasonic GH5

Canon R5

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Slower slow-motion

$3349
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Canon R5

Sony A1

Canon R5

$5831
35mm

Slower slow-motion
NFC

$3349
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon R5

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