• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony A7 II advantages over Panasonic GH5 II

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 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
  • 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
    59 mm vs 87 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 20.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GH5 II advantages over Sony A7 II

  • 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
    5K vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • More dots on screen
    1840k vs 1229k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • 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
    12.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    108 vs 52 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

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Buy the Sony A7 II
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 28-70mm Lens
All A7 II Deals

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Buy the Panasonic GH5 II
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 12-35mm F2.8 Lens
  • Kit with 12-60mm Lens
All GH5 II Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization; Sensor-shift IS brings stabilization to nearly any lens; Much-improved ergonomics and top-deck control layout; 'Mark II' maintains same impressive image quality, dynamic range and high ISO performance; XAVC S 50Mbps video format; Faster start-up time; Hybrid AF performs well with good continuous AF.

  • (Similar to A7): Loud shutter (but electronic first-curtain helps); Battery life could be better; Low-light AF still not as good as most DSLRs; High ISO JPEGs look over-processed; Slow buffer clearing; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses (but it's getting better).

  • Read our Sony A7 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7

Sony A7 II
Sony A7
  • $1077
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7

Panasonic GH5 II
Sony A7
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GH5 II vs Sony A7

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A7 II
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $1077
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Panasonic GH5 II
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 II vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Sony A9

Sony A7 II
Sony A9
  • $1077
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A9

Panasonic GH5 II
Sony A9
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 II vs Sony A9

Compared to Sony A7 III

Sony A7 II
Sony A7 III
  • $1077
  • 35mm
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1531
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7 III

Panasonic GH5 II
Sony A7 III
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1531
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Panasonic GH5 II vs Sony A7 III

Compared to Nikon Z6

Sony A7 II
Nikon Z6
  • $1077
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1396
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Nikon Z6

Panasonic GH5 II
Nikon Z6
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Dual card slots
  • $1396
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 II vs Nikon Z6

Compare Other Cameras?