• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony A5100 advantages over Panasonic G7

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    399g vs 542g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    25 vs 16 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Panasonic G7 advantages over Sony A5100

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • 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
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Fast startup
    ~1.10 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-res screen
    346k vs 230k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.1 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    240 vs 67 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Panasonic G7
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  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Silver)
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Review Excerpt

  • Very small and comfortable form factor; Very good image quality for its class; New dual video record function; Quick autofocus and good dynamic range.

  • Lacks an EVF and external mode dial; No hot shoe; JPEG processing at higher ISOs not as good as some competing mid-level models.

  • Read our Sony A5100 Review

  • Compact and lightweight for a fully-featured interchangeable-lens camera; Really fast autofocus; Good all-around performance too; Generous buffer depth; Versatile tilt/swivel LCD and high-res viewfinder; Touch-screen controls; Very affordable pricetag

  • Out of the box, colors are muted by consumer standards; Warm white balance under incandescent light; Handgrip is a little shallow for those with larger hands; Wi-Fi is overly complex and has limited range

  • Read our Panasonic G7 Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX1000

Sony A5100
Samsung NX1000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $413
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1000

Panasonic G7
Samsung NX1000
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $413
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Samsung NX1000

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony A5100
Samsung NX1100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1100

Panasonic G7
Samsung NX1100
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Panasonic G6

Sony A5100
Panasonic G6
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Better color depth
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A5100 vs Panasonic G6

Panasonic G7
Panasonic G6
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Panasonic G6

Compared to Sony A5000

Sony A5100
Sony A5000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A5100 vs Sony A5000

Panasonic G7
Sony A5000
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Sony A5000

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Sony A5100
Panasonic GH4
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A5100 vs Panasonic GH4

Panasonic G7
Panasonic GH4
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • NFC

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Panasonic GH4

Compare Other Cameras?