Sony A900 vs Panasonic LX100

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Sony A900 vs Panasonic LX100

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35mm 861.6mm²
24.6 megapixels
ISO 200 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Sony A900 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A900.

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 A900 advantages over Panasonic LX100

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.94 vs 3.77 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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.
A900 test data on DxO Mark LX100 test data on DxO Mark

1,431 vs 553 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

880 vs 300 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More pixels
24.6 vs 12.8 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic LX100 advantages over Sony A900

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs No
Make sure you have a fast computer
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Thinner
55 mm vs 81 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
10 years vs 16 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Lighter weight
393g vs 939g
Lighter weight
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
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 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
130 vs 11 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
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
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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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 A900 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read LX100 User Reviews

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Panasonic LX100 (Black)
Panasonic LX100 (Silver)

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Review Excerpt

Read our Sony A900 Full Review

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 A900

Sony RX100 III

$3000
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$748
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony A900 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 A900

Canon G7X

$3000
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$1239
1 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Sony A900 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 Sony A850

Sony A900

Sony A850

$3000
35mm

Faster JPEG shooting

$2219
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Sony A900 vs Sony A850

Panasonic LX100

Sony A850

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$2219
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic LX100 vs Sony A850

Compared to Nikon D800

Sony A900

Nikon D800

$3000
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

$1850
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A900 vs Nikon D800

Panasonic LX100

Nikon D800

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1850
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic LX100 vs Nikon D800

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A900

Canon 5D Mark III

$3000
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2084
35mm

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony A900 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Panasonic LX100

Canon 5D Mark III

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$2084
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic LX100 vs Canon 5D Mark III

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