• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • 35.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony RX1 advantages over Panasonic GF7

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 3.77 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 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
    24.3 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    15 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic GF7 advantages over Sony RX1

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~1.10 vs 1.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 69 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.1 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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  • Kit with 12-32mm lens (Black)
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Review Excerpt

  • Full-frame, 24-megapixel sensor in a compact body; Carl Zeiss Sonnar 35mm f/2 T* lens; Blazing fast autofocus; Impressive image quality that rivals (and sometimes surpasses) full-frame DSLRs; Customizable function buttons make it a breeze to use.

  • Fixed-length lens limits shooting flexibility; Some exposure bias, color shift, moire and video AF issues; Viewfinders (optical or electronic) only available as optional accessories; Extremely expensive for a compact camera.

  • Read our Sony RX1 Review

  • Very good image quality for its size; Fast AF for its class; 10fps burst mode with electronic shutter; Lightweight, yet well-built, compact design; Great value for the money.

  • Continuous AF is not reliable; Shallow buffer with RAW; Below average battery life; No EVF; Maximum mechanical shutter speed of only 1/500s.

  • Read our Panasonic GF7 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX1R

Sony RX1
Sony RX1R
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2598
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Sony RX1 vs Sony RX1R

Panasonic GF7
Sony RX1R
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $2598
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Sony RX1R

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Sony RX1
Panasonic GM5
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony RX1 vs Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GF7
Panasonic GM5
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Hot shoe

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Panasonic GM5

Compared to Sony RX1R II

Sony RX1
Sony RX1R II
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3298
  • 35mm
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony RX1 vs Sony RX1R II

Panasonic GF7
Sony RX1R II
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $3298
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Sony RX1R II

Compared to Panasonic GX850

Sony RX1
Panasonic GX850
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony RX1 vs Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GF7
Panasonic GX850
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Panasonic GX850

Compared to Zeiss ZX1

Sony RX1
Zeiss ZX1
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Bigger pixels
  • $6000
  • 35mm
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony RX1 vs Zeiss ZX1

Panasonic GF7
Zeiss ZX1
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $6000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Zeiss ZX1

Compare Other Cameras?