Sony A65 vs Panasonic LX100

Cameras
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Sony A65 vs Panasonic LX100

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APS-C 369.7mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A65 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A65.

4/3 224.9mm²
12.8 megapixels
24.00mm - 75.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic LX100 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic LX100 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the LX100.
Compare Panasonic LX100 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic LX100 conclusion.

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Differences

Sony A65 advantages over Panasonic LX100

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
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.
A65 test data on DxO Mark LX100 test data on DxO Mark

717 vs 553 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
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

510 vs 300 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More pixels
24.3 vs 12.8 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic LX100 advantages over Sony A65

Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Fast startup
~2.00 vs 2.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Thinner
55 mm vs 80 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
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
11.6 fps vs 10.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
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
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
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
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
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
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A65 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read LX100 User Reviews

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Panasonic LX100 (Black)

Panasonic LX100 (Black)
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Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Sony A65.
Read our Sony A65 Initial Test

Very good image quality; Great performance in most respects; Bright zoom lens with good macro performance; Photographer-friendly body easily fits in a coat pocket or small bag; Roomy, high-res built-in viewfinder; Decent battery life
Won't fit in a pants pocket; Relatively low resolution by modern standards; Zoom lens has only a modest telephoto; Soft corners at wide or tele positions; Aperture dial is too easily bumped; Bundled flash is fairly weak
Read our Panasonic LX100 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Sony A65

Sony RX100 III

$798
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$748
1 inch

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony A65 vs Sony RX100 III

Panasonic LX100

Sony RX100 III

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$748
1 inch

Tiltable Screen
Internal flash

Compare Panasonic LX100 vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Canon G7X

Sony A65

Canon G7X

$798
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$1239
1 inch

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A65 vs Canon G7X

Panasonic LX100

Canon G7X

$598
4/3

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$1239
1 inch

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic LX100 vs Canon G7X

Compared to Nikon D3200

Sony A65

Nikon D3200

$798
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$477
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A65 vs Nikon D3200

Panasonic LX100

Nikon D3200

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$477
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic LX100 vs Nikon D3200

Compared to Nikon D5200

Sony A65

Nikon D5200

$798
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$590
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A65 vs Nikon D5200

Panasonic LX100

Nikon D5200

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$590
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic LX100 vs Nikon D5200

Compared to Sony A58

Sony A65

Sony A58

$798
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in GPS

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Sony A65 vs Sony A58

Panasonic LX100

Sony A58

$598
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Built-in Wi-Fi

$598
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic LX100 vs Sony A58

Compare Other Cameras?