• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 51,200
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic GH5S 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
    ~ 4.51 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
    ~1.10 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer video battery life
    60 vs 35 minutes
    Capture more video
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 440 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher-res screen
    405k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.76x vs 0.59x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    600 vs 233 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony RX100 VA advantages over Panasonic GH5S

  • Less expensive
    $998 vs $1798
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Slower slow-motion
    1000 fps vs 240 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • 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
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 87 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    299g vs 660g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 10.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    23.9 fps vs 11.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    23.9 fps vs 12.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/16000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent video quality; Very good high ISO performance; Cinema 4K & UHD video up to 60p; Full HD up to 240p; 10-bit internal video recording; Tons of features & options for advanced/pro videographers.

  • 10MP resolution is limiting for still photos; No in-body image stabilization; Slower AF than GH5; Buffer clearing could be faster; No 6K Photo features due to sensor resolution.

  • Read our Panasonic GH5S Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100 V

Panasonic GH5S
Sony RX100 V
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Panasonic GH5S 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 Panasonic GH5

Panasonic GH5S
Panasonic GH5
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH5S vs Panasonic GH5

Sony RX100 VA
Panasonic GH5
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Panasonic GH5

Compared to Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5S
Panasonic G9
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $965
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH5S vs Panasonic G9

Sony RX100 VA
Panasonic G9
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $965
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Panasonic G9

Compared to Olympus E-M1 Mark III

Panasonic GH5S
Olympus E-M1 Mark III
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1649
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite

Compare Panasonic GH5S vs Olympus E-M1 Mark III

Sony RX100 VA
Olympus E-M1 Mark III
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1649
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Olympus E-M1 Mark III

Compared to Sony ZV-1

Panasonic GH5S
Sony ZV-1
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $800
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH5S 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

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