• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GX1 advantages over Nikon S1

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Higher effective ISO
    703 vs 397 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/160 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon S1 advantages over Panasonic GX1

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $950 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 39 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    323g vs 420g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 4.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX1

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S1
Nikon S1
All S1 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Appealing design; Good grip; Very good image quality; Fast autofocus; Built-in Level Gauge.

  • Small rear buttons; Below-average battery life; Weak flash; Orange and yellow can have greenish cast in JPEGs; Shutter-induced motion blur with 14-42mm X Vario kit lens.

  • Read our Panasonic GX1 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Panasonic GX1
Olympus E-P3
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Olympus E-P3

Nikon S1
Olympus E-P3
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon S1 vs Olympus E-P3

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GX1
Olympus E-PL3
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Olympus E-PL3

Nikon S1
Olympus E-PL3
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon S1 vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Nikon J1

Panasonic GX1
Nikon J1
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Nikon J1

Nikon S1
Nikon J1
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Wider angle kit lens

Compare Nikon S1 vs Nikon J1

Compared to Nikon J2

Panasonic GX1
Nikon J2
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Nikon J2

Nikon S1
Nikon J2
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Wider angle kit lens

Compare Nikon S1 vs Nikon J2

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Panasonic GX1
Panasonic GF6
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic GF6

Nikon S1
Panasonic GF6
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon S1 vs Panasonic GF6

Compare Other Cameras?