• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 50.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Panasonic GX9 advantages over Sony A1

  • Less expensive
    $798 vs $6498*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    46 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sony A1 advantages over Panasonic GX9

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.16 vs 3.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer video battery life
    150 vs 70 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 530 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/400 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    4 years vs 7 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.90x vs 0.70x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    50.1 vs 20.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 9.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 9.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    155 vs 32 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
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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
  • 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

  • Great image quality; Good high ISO performance for its class; Improved JPEG processing; Fast autofocus; Fast ~9fps burst mode.

  • Smallish field-sequential EVF; Below average battery life; No mic/headphone jacks; Noticeable crop on 4K video.

  • Read our Panasonic GX9 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GX9
Panasonic GX85
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Panasonic GX85

Sony A1
Panasonic GX85
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • NFC
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A1 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-M10 III

Panasonic GX9
Olympus E-M10 III
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Olympus E-M10 III

Sony A1
Olympus E-M10 III
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compare Sony A1 vs Olympus E-M10 III

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Panasonic GX9
Olympus E-PL9
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Olympus E-PL9

Sony A1
Olympus E-PL9
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony A1 vs Olympus E-PL9

Compared to Sony A7R IV

Panasonic GX9
Sony A7R IV
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $3331
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • High resolution composite

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Sony A7R IV

Sony A1
Sony A7R IV
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer video battery life
  • $3331
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony A7R IV

Compared to Canon R5

Panasonic GX9
Canon R5
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Canon R5

Sony A1
Canon R5
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon R5

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