Sony RX100 III vs Panasonic GX8

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Sony RX100 III vs Panasonic GX8

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1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 III Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX100 III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX100 III.
Compare Sony RX100 III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX100 III conclusion.

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX8 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GX8 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GX8.
Compare Panasonic GX8 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GX8 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony RX100 IV
Compare RX100 III vs RX100 IV

Succeeded by the Panasonic GX9
Compare GX8 vs GX9

Compare SONY RX100 IV vs PANASONIC GX9

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Differences

Sony RX100 III advantages over Panasonic GX8

Less expensive
$748 vs $998
Save money for lenses or accessories
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Thinner
41 mm vs 63 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Lighter weight
287g vs 487g
Lighter weight
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 8.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Sony RX100 III

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Bigger pixels
~ 3.34 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~1.20 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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.
GX8 test data on DxO Mark RX100 III test data on DxO Mark

806 vs 495 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More viewfinder magnification
0.77x vs 0.59x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 48 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.9 fps vs 6.7 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
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
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
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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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

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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

Pocket-friendly design; Popup electronic viewfinder; Bright lens across the zoom range; Great performance with very fast autofocus; Very high resolution gives lots of detail in good light; High ISO noise levels much better than most pocket camera rivals; Wi-Fi wireless networking
Feels a little unbalanced without an accessory grip; Not as much telephoto reach as its siblings; Noise processing is heavier-handed than in earlier models; Quite pricey for a fixed-lens camera
Read our Sony RX100 III Review

Highest resolution Micro Four Thirds camera yet; Great high ISO performance; Very fast autofocus; Fast burst mode with deep buffers; Impressive Dual I.S. system; Great 4K video.
No built-in flash; Slow buffer clearing; Below average battery life; Limited I.S. for 4K video.
Read our Panasonic GX8 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100

Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Tiltable Screen

$1074
1 inch

More telephoto lens reach
Faster RAW shooting

Compare Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100

Panasonic GX8

Sony RX100

$998
4/3

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$1074
1 inch

Internal flash
Thinner

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Sony RX100

Compared to Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 II

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

$598
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 II

Panasonic GX8

Sony RX100 II

$998
4/3

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$598
1 inch

Less expensive
Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Sony RX100 II

Compared to Canon G7X

Sony RX100 III

Canon G7X

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

$1239
1 inch

Touchscreen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony RX100 III vs Canon G7X

Panasonic GX8

Canon G7X

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$1239
1 inch

Internal flash
Integrated ND filter

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Canon G7X

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Sony RX100 III

Panasonic LX100

$748
1 inch

Tiltable Screen
Internal flash

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 III vs Panasonic LX100

Panasonic GX8

Panasonic LX100

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Higher max flash sync

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Panasonic LX100

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Sony RX100 III

Olympus E-M1

$748
1 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$1099
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 III vs Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$1099
4/3

Fast startup
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M1

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