• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A500 advantages over Panasonic G9

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.55 vs 3.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 0.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1000 vs 400 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic G9 advantages over Sony DSLR-A500

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    7 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.83x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • 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
    60.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    50 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • 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

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance

User reviews

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Buy the Panasonic G9
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 12-60mm f/2.8-4 lens
All G9 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Great build quality; Very good image quality; Effective IBIS; Excellent performance; Fast shooting speeds; 4K/60p video.

  • No phase-detection autofocus; 10-minute limit for 4k60p video clips; No V-Log or 10-bit video.

  • Read our Panasonic G9 Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K20D

Sony DSLR-A500
Pentax K20D
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Top deck display

Compare Sony DSLR-A500 vs Pentax K20D

Panasonic G9
Pentax K20D
  • $1065
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Pentax K20D

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels

Compare Sony DSLR-A500 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Panasonic G9
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1065
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Sony DSLR-A560

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony DSLR-A560
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Less shutter lag
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Sony DSLR-A500 vs Sony DSLR-A560

Panasonic G9
Sony DSLR-A560
  • $1065
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Sony DSLR-A560

Compared to Panasonic GH5

Sony DSLR-A500
Panasonic GH5
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Sony DSLR-A500 vs Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G9
Panasonic GH5
  • $1065
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Top deck display
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic GH5

Compared to Panasonic G95

Sony DSLR-A500
Panasonic G95
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Sony DSLR-A500 vs Panasonic G95

Panasonic G9
Panasonic G95
  • $1065
  • 4/3
  • Slower slow-motion
  • High resolution composite
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic G95

Compare Other Cameras?