Sony A5000 vs Panasonic FZ1000

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Sony A5000 vs Panasonic FZ1000

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APS-C 357.3mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A5000 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A5000.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.1 megapixels
25.00mm - 400.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic FZ1000 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic FZ1000 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the FZ1000.
Compare Panasonic FZ1000 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic FZ1000 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic FZ1000 II
Compare FZ1000 vs FZ1000 II
Compare Sony A5000 vs Panasonic FZ1000 II

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Differences

Sony A5000 advantages over Panasonic FZ1000

Less expensive
$298 vs $748*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.25 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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.
A5000 test data on DxO Mark FZ1000 test data on DxO Mark

1,089 vs 517 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A5000 test data on DxO Mark FZ1000 test data on DxO Mark

13.0 vs 11.7 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Thinner
35 mm vs 130 mm
Thinner

Panasonic FZ1000 advantages over Sony A5000

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Fast startup
~1.20 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Higher-res screen
307k vs 154k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Less shutter lag
0.10 vs 0.30 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
9.5 fps vs 3.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
73 vs 15 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.0 fps vs 2.5 fps
Faster RAW shooting in 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
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 16000 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
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
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

Common Weaknesses

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read A5000 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read FZ1000 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A5000

Kit with 16-50mm Lens (Black)

Kit with 16-50mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 16-50mm Lens (Silver)
Kit with 16-50mm Lens (White)

All A5000 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic FZ1000

Panasonic FZ1000

All FZ1000 Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Sony A5000.
Read our Sony A5000 Initial Test

Extremely compact compared to interchangeable-lens camera with similar lenses; Comfortable grip and controls; Bright, far-reaching 16x zoom lens; Excellent electronic viewfinder; Versatile tilt/swivel LCD; Excellent performance; Great image quality
Body materials feel a bit plasticky; Connector compartment door is fiddly; Limited raw buffer depth; Battery life below average for class; No built-in neutral density filter
Read our Panasonic FZ1000 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX10

Sony A5000

Sony RX10

$298
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$698
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A5000 vs Sony RX10

Panasonic FZ1000

Sony RX10

$773
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$698
1 inch

Top deck display
Integrated ND filter

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Sony RX10

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony A5000

Samsung NX1100

$298
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$450
APS-C

Higher-res screen
Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5000 vs Samsung NX1100

Panasonic FZ1000

Samsung NX1100

$773
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$450
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Sony A5000

Sony NEX-5T

$298
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Internal flash

$299
APS-C

Touchscreen
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Sony A5000 vs Sony NEX-5T

Panasonic FZ1000

Sony NEX-5T

$773
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$299
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Sony NEX-5T

Compared to Sony A5100

Sony A5000

Sony A5100

$298
APS-C

Less expensive

$348
APS-C

Touchscreen
Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony A5000 vs Sony A5100

Panasonic FZ1000

Sony A5100

$773
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$348
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Sony A5100

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Sony A5000

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$298
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$899
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A5000 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Panasonic FZ1000

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$773
1 inch

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$899
1 inch

Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

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