Sony A58 vs Panasonic GM1

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Sony A58 vs Panasonic GM1

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APS-C 366.6mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A58 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A58 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A58.
Compare Sony A58 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A58 conclusion.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.0 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GM1 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GM1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GM1.
Compare Panasonic GM1 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GM1 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A68
Compare A58 vs A68

Succeeded by the Panasonic GM5
Compare GM1 vs GM5

Compare SONY A68 vs PANASONIC GM5

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Differences

Sony A58 advantages over Panasonic GM1

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Less expensive
$600 vs $750 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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.
A58 test data on DxO Mark GM1 test data on DxO Mark

753 vs 660 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

700 vs 230 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
83 mm vs 64 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/160 vs 1/50 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More pixels
20.1 vs 16.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Panasonic GM1 advantages over Sony A58

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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
Thinner
30 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
279g vs 731g
Lighter weight
Higher-res screen
346k vs 154k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
9.9 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.3 fps vs 4.8 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
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

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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
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 A58 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GM1 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A58

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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Buy the Panasonic GM1

Kit with 12-32mm 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

Large Four Thirds sensor is impressive for a camera this small; Shares sensor and processor of GX7; Excellent image quality with class-leading high ISO performance; Responsive all-around performer; AF system is fast and accurate; Easy to use and responsive touchscreen; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features; Lightweight and pocketable design makes it easy to carry everywhere.
Can be awkward to use with larger lenses; Rear dial is easy to accidentally press; Lacks a hot-shoe for EVF or external flash; Weak built-in flash; 1/50s flash sync; No 1080p60 video; No external headphone jack or mic input.
Read our Panasonic GM1 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 GM1

Pentax K-5 IIs

$479
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GM1 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 GM1

Nikon D5200

$479
4/3

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$590
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GM1 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 GM1

Canon T5i

$479
4/3

Focus peaking
Built-in Wi-Fi

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Canon T5i

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Sony A58

Panasonic GM5

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$898
4/3

Lens selection
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A58 vs Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GM1

Panasonic GM5

$479
4/3

Less expensive
Internal flash

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic GM5

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Sony A58

Panasonic GF7

$598
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$590
4/3

Lens selection
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A58 vs Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GM1

Panasonic GF7

$479
4/3

$590
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic GF7

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