Sony A5100 vs Panasonic GX8

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Sony A5100 vs Panasonic GX8

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A5100 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A5100 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A5100.
Compare Sony A5100 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A5100 conclusion.

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.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GX9
Compare GX8 vs GX9
Compare Sony A5100 vs Panasonic GX9

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Differences

Sony A5100 advantages over Panasonic GX8

Less expensive
$448 vs $998*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.92 vs 3.34 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.
A5100 test data on DxO Mark GX8 test data on DxO Mark

1,347 vs 806 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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
35 mm vs 63 mm
Thinner
More pixels
24.3 vs 20.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Sony A5100

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
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
1/250 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
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
8.3 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 67 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.9 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
36 vs 25 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (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
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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 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

Amazon
Adorama
Read A5100 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX8 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A5100

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Kit with 16-50mm Lens (White)

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Buy the Panasonic GX8

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Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)

All GX8 Deals

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

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

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 GX8

Samsung NX1000

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$413
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 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 GX8

Samsung NX1100

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$450
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Sony A5100

Olympus E-M1

$348
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-camera panoramas

$1099
4/3

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony A5100 vs 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

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 GX8

Sony A5000

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$298
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Sony A5000

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Sony A5100

Olympus E-M1 II

$348
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A5100 vs 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

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