Panasonic GM1 vs Sony A5100

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Panasonic GM1 vs Sony A5100

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GM1 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GM1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GM1.
Compare Panasonic GM1 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GM1 conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A5100 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A5100 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A5100.
Compare Sony A5100 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A5100 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GM5
Compare GM1 vs GM5
Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Sony A5100

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Differences

Panasonic GM1 advantages over Sony A5100

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Fast startup
~0.90 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Lighter weight
279g vs 399g
Lighter weight
Higher-res screen
346k vs 230k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
9.9 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.3 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A5100 advantages over Panasonic GM1

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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.
A5100 test data on DxO Mark GM1 test data on DxO Mark

1,347 vs 660 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

400 vs 230 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
75 mm vs 64 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Higher max flash sync
1/160 vs 1/50 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
More pixels
24.3 vs 16.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Bigger JPEG buffer
67 vs 10 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
25 vs 7 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GM1 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A5100 User Reviews

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Kit with 12-32mm Lens

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Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 16-50mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 16-50mm Lens (White)

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Review Excerpt

Large Four Thirds sensor is impressive for a camera this small; Shares sensor and processor of GX7; Excellent image quality with class-leading high ISO performance; Responsive all-around performer; AF system is fast and accurate; Easy to use and responsive touchscreen; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features; Lightweight and pocketable design makes it easy to carry everywhere.
Can be awkward to use with larger lenses; Rear dial is easy to accidentally press; Lacks a hot-shoe for EVF or external flash; Weak built-in flash; 1/50s flash sync; No 1080p60 video; No external headphone jack or mic input.
Read our Panasonic GM1 Review

Very small and comfortable form factor; Very good image quality for its class; New dual video record function; Quick autofocus and good dynamic range.
Lacks an EVF and external mode dial; No hot shoe; JPEG processing at higher ISOs not as good as some competing mid-level models.
Read our Sony A5100 Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Panasonic GM1

Samsung NX1100

$479
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$450
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Samsung NX1100

Sony A5100

Samsung NX1100

$348
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$450
APS-C

Higher-res screen
Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Olympus E-PL6

Panasonic GM1

Olympus E-PL6

$479
4/3

Focus peaking
Built-in Wi-Fi

$299
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Olympus E-PL6

Sony A5100

Olympus E-PL6

$348
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$299
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A5100 vs Olympus E-PL6

Compared to Sony A5000

Panasonic GM1

Sony A5000

$479
4/3

Lens selection
Touchscreen

$298
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Sony A5000

Sony A5100

Sony A5000

$348
APS-C

Touchscreen
Higher effective ISO

$298
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Sony A5100 vs Sony A5000

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GM1

Panasonic GM5

$479
4/3

Less expensive
Internal flash

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic GM5

Sony A5100

Panasonic GM5

$348
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tiltable Screen

$898
4/3

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony A5100 vs Panasonic GM5

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GM1

Panasonic GF7

$479
4/3

$590
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic GF7

Sony A5100

Panasonic GF7

$348
APS-C

Larger sensor
NFC

$590
4/3

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A5100 vs Panasonic GF7

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