• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 250.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic ZS100 advantages over Sony A6500

  • Less expensive
    $398* vs $1598
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    309g vs 453g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 231 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A6500 advantages over Panasonic ZS100

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~1.30 vs 2.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,405 vs 559 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.1 fps vs 9.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.1 fps vs 9.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    110 vs 14 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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

  • 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
  • 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

  • Compact camera body; versatile 10x zoom lens; relatively good high ISO performance; fast autofocus; many good 4K video and photo features.

  • Soft lens at longer focal lengths; no tilting display; small electronic viewfinder; slippery finish on the camera body.

  • Read our Panasonic ZS100 Review

  • Comfortable, premium body with good controls; Touch-screen for subject selection; Hybrid image stabilization system; Excellent image quality; Better high ISO JPEGs than the A6300; Extremely fast 11.1 fps burst capture; Very deep buffers for raw and JPEG alike; 4K video capture with no pixel binning

  • Pricey for an APS-C camera; JPEG colors aren't the most accurate; Very slow buffer clearing; Laggy touch-pad AF function; Poorly-placed movie button; No headphone jack; Mediocre battery life

  • Read our Sony A6500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus Stylus 1s

Panasonic ZS100
Olympus Stylus 1s
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $549
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Olympus Stylus 1s

Sony A6500
Olympus Stylus 1s
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $549
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony A6500 vs Olympus Stylus 1s

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro2

Panasonic ZS100
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Fujifilm X-Pro2

Sony A6500
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Higher max flash sync
  • More dots on screen

Compare Sony A6500 vs Fujifilm X-Pro2

Compared to Sony A6300

Panasonic ZS100
Sony A6300
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $748
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony A6300

Sony A6500
Sony A6300
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $748
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A6500 vs Sony A6300

Compared to Sony RX100 VI

Panasonic ZS100
Sony RX100 VI
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 VI

Sony A6500
Sony RX100 VI
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Sony A6500 vs Sony RX100 VI

Compared to Sony RX100 VII

Panasonic ZS100
Sony RX100 VII
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 VII

Sony A6500
Sony RX100 VII
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Sony A6500 vs Sony RX100 VII

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