Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A7 III

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Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A7 III

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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 847.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Sony A7 III Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7 III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7 III.
Compare Sony A7 III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7 III conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5 II
Compare GH5 vs GH5 II

Succeeded by the Sony A7 IV
Compare A7 III vs A7 IV

Compare PANASONIC GH5 II vs SONY A7 IV

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Differences

Panasonic GH5 advantages over Sony A7 III

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$1298 vs $1498
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Slower slow-motion
180 fps vs 120 fps
Supports slower slow-mo
Fast startup
~1.00 vs 1.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher-res screen
405k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
11.9 fps vs 9.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
600 vs 163 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.9 fps vs 9.7 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
65 vs 33 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A7 III advantages over Panasonic GH5

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.93 vs 3.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A7 III test data on DxO Mark GH5 test data on DxO Mark

3,730 vs 807 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A7 III test data on DxO Mark GH5 test data on DxO Mark

14.7 vs 13.0 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Longer video battery life
115 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

710 vs 410 shots
Capture more photos
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Higher extended ISO
204800 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 A7 III User Reviews

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Buy the Panasonic GH5

Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaking Kit
Kit with 12-60mm lens

All GH5 Deals

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Buy the Sony A7 III

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 28-70mm Lens

All A7 III Deals

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

New 24MP sensor offers excellent image quality; Outstanding high ISO performance and dynamic range; Improved JPEG colors; Improved build quality; Fast autofocus; Excellent 4K video; Very good battery life.
Buffer clearing can be slow even with fast UHS-II cards; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No losslessly compressed RAW option; Dedicated battery charger not included; Menus are still confusing; No built-in flash.
Read our Sony A7 III Review

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 A7 III

Olympus E-M1 II

$1531
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 III vs Olympus E-M1 II

Compared to Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G9

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

$965
4/3

High resolution composite
Top deck display

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G9

Sony A7 III

Panasonic G9

$1531
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$965
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Slower slow-motion

Compare Sony A7 III vs Panasonic G9

Compared to Nikon Z6

Panasonic GH5

Nikon Z6

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1396
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Nikon Z6

Sony A7 III

Nikon Z6

$1531
35mm

Less expensive
NFC

$1396
35mm

Top deck display
More dots on screen

Compare Sony A7 III vs Nikon Z6

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 A7 III

Panasonic G95

$1531
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$848
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 III vs Panasonic G95

Compared to Nikon Z6 II

Panasonic GH5

Nikon Z6 II

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1747
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Nikon Z6 II

Sony A7 III

Nikon Z6 II

$1531
35mm

Less expensive
NFC

$1747
35mm

Top deck display
Newer

Compare Sony A7 III vs Nikon Z6 II

Compare Other Cameras?