• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony A58 advantages over Panasonic G9

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.31 vs 3.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 400 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic G9 advantages over Sony A58

  • 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
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    7 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    347k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.83x vs 0.57x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    50 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    60.0 fps vs 4.8 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    50 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 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

  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance

User reviews

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Buy the Sony A58
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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Buy the Panasonic G9
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 12-60mm f/2.8-4 lens
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Review Excerpt

  • Improved 20.1-megapixel resolution; Impressive image quality, especially for its price; Fast and decisive autofocus (in most conditions); Very good battery life; Good video quality (Full HD 1080p, though it doesn't support 60p frame rate).

  • Plastic lens mount; Slower burst mode speeds and shallower buffer than A57; LCD no longer fully articulating; Mediocre kit lens; Electronic instead of an optical viewfinder may be a turnoff for some.

  • Read our Sony A58 Review

  • Great build quality; Very good image quality; Effective IBIS; Excellent performance; Fast shooting speeds; 4K/60p video.

  • No phase-detection autofocus; 10-minute limit for 4k60p video clips; No V-Log or 10-bit video.

  • Read our Panasonic G9 Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A58
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A58 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Panasonic G9
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $948
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Nikon D5200

Sony A58
Nikon D5200
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 vs Nikon D5200

Panasonic G9
Nikon D5200
  • $948
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Nikon D5200

Compared to Canon T5i

Sony A58
Canon T5i
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 vs Canon T5i

Panasonic G9
Canon T5i
  • $948
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Canon T5i

Compared to Panasonic GH5

Sony A58
Panasonic GH5
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 vs Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G9
Panasonic GH5
  • $948
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Top deck display
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic GH5

Compared to Panasonic G95

Sony A58
Panasonic G95
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Sony A58 vs Panasonic G95

Panasonic G9
Panasonic G95
  • $948
  • 4/3
  • Slower slow-motion
  • High resolution composite
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic G95

Compare Other Cameras?