Sony RX10 II vs Panasonic GX850

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Sony RX10 II vs Panasonic GX850

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1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
24.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX10 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX10 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX10 II.
Compare Sony RX10 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX10 II conclusion.

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX850 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GX850 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GX850.
Compare Panasonic GX850 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GX850 conclusion.

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Differences

Sony RX10 II advantages over Panasonic GX850

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
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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

400 vs 210 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/3200 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
Less shutter lag
0.16 vs 0.23 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.2 vs 16.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
14.2 fps vs 9.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
29 vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/16000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Panasonic GX850 advantages over Sony RX10 II

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.77 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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.
GX850 test data on DxO Mark RX10 II test data on DxO Mark

586 vs 531 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
33 mm vs 102 mm
Thinner
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
114 vs 44 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.5 fps vs 8.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

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
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read RX10 II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX850 User Reviews

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Sony RX10 II

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Buy the Panasonic GX850

Kit with 12-32mm Lens (Black)

Kit with 12-32mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 12-32mm Lens (Silver)

All GX850 Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent build quality; Superb viewfinder; Excellent image and video quality for its class; Bright and versatile zoom lens; Very fast autofocus; Great burst performance and depth; Incredible slow-motion capabilities; Really intuitive Wi-Fi image transfer; Good battery life.
Expensive compared to its nearest competitors; Less zoom reach than rivals; Soft in corners wide-open; Slow buffer clearing; Small rear control dial has poor tactile feedback; Long delay to render each high frame-rate movie; No tilt/swivel or touch on the LCD panel.
Read our Sony RX10 II Review

Impressive image quality; Sleek design; 4K video recording; Good overall performance; Tilting touchscreen; Enjoyable user experience.
No EVF; No hot shoe, Short 4K clip limit; MicroSD card slot, Poor battery life.
Read our Panasonic GX850 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX10

Sony RX10 II

Sony RX10

$998
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Higher effective ISO

$698
1 inch

Less expensive

Compare Sony RX10 II vs Sony RX10

Panasonic GX850

Sony RX10

$548
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$698
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Sony RX10

Compared to Panasonic FZ1000

Sony RX10 II

Panasonic FZ1000

$998
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Top deck display

$773
1 inch

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX10 II vs Panasonic FZ1000

Panasonic GX850

Panasonic FZ1000

$548
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$773
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic FZ1000

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Sony RX10 II

Panasonic GM5

$998
1 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

$898
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX10 II vs Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GM5

$548
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic GM5

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Sony RX10 II

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$998
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Integrated ND filter

$899
1 inch

More telephoto lens reach
Longer exposure

Compare Sony RX10 II vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Panasonic GX850

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$548
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Sony RX10 II

Panasonic GF7

$998
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$590
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX10 II vs Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GF7

$548
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$590
4/3

Fast startup
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic GF7

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