Panasonic GX8 vs Sony RX100 VII

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Panasonic GX8 vs Sony RX100 VII

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX8 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GX8 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GX8.
Compare Panasonic GX8 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GX8 conclusion.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 VII Review.
See real-world photos taken with the RX100 VII.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GX9
Compare GX8 vs GX9
Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Sony RX100 VII

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Differences

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Sony RX100 VII

Less expensive
$998 vs $1298
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
~ 3.34 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~1.20 vs 1.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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

340 vs 260 shots
Capture more photos
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More viewfinder magnification
0.77x vs 0.59x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 169 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony RX100 VII advantages over Panasonic GX8

Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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
Thinner
42 mm vs 63 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
5 years vs 9 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
302g vs 487g
Lighter weight
Faster JPEG shooting
20.0 fps vs 8.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 7.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
77 vs 36 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
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
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
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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

Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

Highest resolution Micro Four Thirds camera yet; Great high ISO performance; Very fast autofocus; Fast burst mode with deep buffers; Impressive Dual I.S. system; Great 4K video.
No built-in flash; Slow buffer clearing; Below average battery life; Limited I.S. for 4K video.
Read our Panasonic GX8 Review

We haven’t reviewed the Sony RX100 VII.
Read our Sony RX100 VII Initial Test

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$1099
4/3

Fast startup
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M1

Sony RX100 VII

Olympus E-M1

$1298
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

$1099
4/3

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 VII vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M5 II

$998
4/3

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M5 II

Sony RX100 VII

Olympus E-M5 II

$1298
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX100 VII vs Olympus E-M5 II

Compared to Panasonic ZS100

Panasonic GX8

Panasonic ZS100

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$498
1 inch

Less expensive
Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Panasonic ZS100

Sony RX100 VII

Panasonic ZS100

$1298
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Tiltable Screen

$498
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony RX100 VII vs Panasonic ZS100

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1 II

$998
4/3

In-camera panoramas
NFC

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Sony RX100 VII

Olympus E-M1 II

$1298
1 inch

In-camera panoramas
NFC

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX100 VII vs Olympus E-M1 II

Compared to Sony RX100 VI

Panasonic GX8

Sony RX100 VI

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$949
1 inch

Less expensive
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Sony RX100 VI

Sony RX100 VII

Sony RX100 VI

$1298
1 inch

External Mic Jack

$949
1 inch

Less expensive
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony RX100 VII vs Sony RX100 VI

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