• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400

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Differences

Sony TX20 advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    17 mm vs 36 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Sony TX20

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.29 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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 panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Panasonic GF5

Review Excerpt

  • Sleek, stylish, slender design; Easy to handle and fast to shoot; Good print quality at up to 13 x 19 inches; Low shutter lag; 10fps burst mode.

  • Touchscreen display is hard to see and use in bright light; Inconsistent image exposure; Mild distortion problems; no GPS.

  • Small body pairs nicely with compact, retractable Power Zoom lens. Extremely fast autofocus. Worthwhile improvements in image quality. Touchscreen overlays can now be hidden.

  • LCD panel is prone to fingerprint smudges. Weak flash, and no hot shoe. Modest burst performance, and very limited buffer for raw shooting. Noise levels and dynamic range still lag competition.

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-TX100V

Sony TX20
Sony DSC-TX100V
  • $370
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $282
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
Panasonic GF5
Sony DSC-TX100V
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $282
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony DSC-T110

Sony TX20
Sony DSC-T110
  • $370
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Touchscreen
  • $220
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
Panasonic GF5
Sony DSC-T110
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $220
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Sony TX20
Olympus E-PL3
  • $370
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Sony TX20
Panasonic GF3X
  • $370
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3

Compared to Sony TX200V

Sony TX20
Sony TX200V
  • $370
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
Panasonic GF5
Sony TX200V
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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