• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony RX100 II advantages over Panasonic GH5

  • Less expensive
    $598* vs $1298
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 87 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    281g vs 725g
    Lighter weight
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic GH5 advantages over Sony RX100 II

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.34 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    807 vs 483 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    8 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    405k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • 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
    11.9 fps vs 9.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    600 vs 13 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.9 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    65 vs 13 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 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 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony RX100 II
Sony RX100M II
All RX100 II Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GH5
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Filmmaking Kit
  • Kit with 12-60mm lens
All GH5 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • New, 20.2MP, 1-inch type, backside illuminated (BSI) image sensor produces superb image quality, with particular improvements in low light and high ISO; 3-inch tilting rear LCD screen handy for composing shots from difficult angles; Fast all-around performer with quick autofocus and virtually no shutter lag; New, multi-interface hotshoe for adding a strobe or optional electronic viewfinder; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.

  • Bigger and heavier than previous model; More expensive than previous model; Reduced burst performance when shooting RAW files; Somewhat confusing menu structure and control layout; Wi-Fi features can be difficult to set up.

  • Read our Sony RX100 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 Sony RX100

Sony RX100 II
Sony RX100
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $1095
  • 1 inch
  • Faster RAW shooting

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100

Panasonic GH5
Sony RX100
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1095
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Sony RX100

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 II
Sony RX100 III
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100 III

Panasonic GH5
Sony RX100 III
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 II
Sony RX100 IV
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100 IV

Panasonic GH5
Sony RX100 IV
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Sony RX100 IV

Compared to Canon G7X Mark II

Sony RX100 II
Canon G7X Mark II
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Integrated ND filter

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Canon G7X Mark II

Panasonic GH5
Canon G7X Mark II
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Canon G7X Mark II

Compared to Panasonic G9

Sony RX100 II
Panasonic G9
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $965
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX100 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

Compare Other Cameras?