Sony A99 II vs Panasonic GH5

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Sony A99 II vs Panasonic GH5

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35mm 861.6mm²
42.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A99 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A99 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A99 II.
Compare Sony A99 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A99 II conclusion.

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH5 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GH5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GH5.
Compare Panasonic GH5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GH5 conclusion.

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Differences

Sony A99 II advantages over Panasonic GH5

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.51 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
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.
A99 II test data on DxO Mark GH5 test data on DxO Mark

2,317 vs 807 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer video battery life
135 vs 55 minutes
Capture more video
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More pixels
42.4 vs 20.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GH5 advantages over Sony A99 II

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$1298 vs $3198*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Slower slow-motion
180 fps vs 120 fps
Supports slower slow-mo
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Higher-res screen
405k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
11.9 fps vs 10.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
600 vs 61 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
65 vs 25 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Tilt-swivel screen
Both provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A99 II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH5 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A99 II

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All A99 II Deals

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Buy the Panasonic GH5

Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaking Kit
Kit with 12-60mm lens

All GH5 Deals

Review Excerpt

Superb image quality at low, moderate ISOs; Improved high ISO performance; Fast continuous shooting speeds; Very impressive hybrid autofocus; High-quality 4K UHD video; Rugged camera body.
Multi-selector joystick can be awkward to use; No EVF live view at fastest burst rate; Buffer clearing is slow with no UHS-II support; 4K UHD video isn't as full-featured as E-mount counterparts.
Read our Sony A99 II Review

20MP sensor; Better per-pixel sharpness; Very good, slightly improved dynamic range and high ISOs; Stellar 4K video up to 60p with no crop; 6K Photo; Dual UHS-II SD slots; Good battery life for its class.
Buffer is deep, but slow to clear; Expensive; Menus still confusing; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.
Read our Panasonic GH5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Sony A99 II

Canon 5DS R

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$1849
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Canon 5DS R

Panasonic GH5

Canon 5DS R

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1849
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A99 II

Canon 5D Mark IV

$3198
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$2249
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A99 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Panasonic GH5

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2249
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D850

Sony A99 II

Nikon D850

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2464
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Nikon D850

Panasonic GH5

Nikon D850

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2464
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Nikon D850

Compared to Panasonic G9

Sony A99 II

Panasonic G9

$3198
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$965
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G9

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

$965
4/3

High resolution composite
Top deck display

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G9

Compared to Panasonic G95

Sony A99 II

Panasonic G95

$3198
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$848
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Panasonic G95

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G95

$1348
4/3

Slower slow-motion
Longer stills battery life

$848
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G95

Compare Other Cameras?