Sony A7R II vs Panasonic GX850

Sony A7R II advantages over Panasonic GX850

• Larger sensor
  35mm vs 4/3
  More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
• 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
• Bigger pixels
  ~ 4.51 vs 3.77 microns
  Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
• Fast startup
  ~1.50 vs 2.0 sec
  Faster startup lets you catch the moment
• NFC
  Yes vs No
  Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
• Better color depth

  Better color depth

  Color depth refers to the number of unique colors that a sensor can faithfully capture. Cameras with better color depth will demonstrate smoother transitions from one color to the next, and avoid "banding" in areas with subtle shading. (Blue skies are an example of where you might see color banding.)

  More color depth is generally better, but you'll struggle to notice a difference between two cameras with less than 1 bit of difference. Color depth above 22 bits is considered excellent.

  Want to learn more? Head over to our full glossary entry on color depth

  Color depth test data courtesy of DxO Mark.

  A7R II test data on DxO Mark GX850 test data on DxO Mark
  26.0 vs 23.2 bits
  Capture richer, more accurate colors
• 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.

  A7R II test data on DxO Mark GX850 test data on DxO Mark
  3,434 vs 586 iso
  Take photos in low light with less noise
• On-sensor phase detect
  Yes vs No
  Usually improves live view and video AF performance
• 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

  340 vs 210 shots
  Capture more photos
• External Mic Jack
  Jack vs No jack
  Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
• Higher max flash sync
  1/250 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
  42.4 vs 16.0 megapixels
  Higher resolution photos
• Headphone jack
  Yes vs No
  Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
• Slow-motion videos
  Yes vs No
  Shoot slow-motion videos
• Higher extended ISO
  102400 vs 25600 ISO
  Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility