Panasonic GM1 vs Sony RX100 IV

Cameras
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Panasonic GM1 vs Sony RX100 IV

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GM1 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GM1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GM1.
Compare Panasonic GM1 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GM1 conclusion.

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

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

Succeeded by the Panasonic GM5
Compare GM1 vs GM5

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

Compare PANASONIC GM5 vs SONY RX100 V

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Differences

Panasonic GM1 advantages over Sony RX100 IV

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Less expensive
$750 vs $1000 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
Fast startup
~0.90 vs 2.1 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.
GM1 test data on DxO Mark RX100 IV test data on DxO Mark

660 vs 562 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
30 mm vs 41 mm
Thinner
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster RAW shooting
10.3 fps vs 8.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Sony RX100 IV advantages over Panasonic GM1

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
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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

280 vs 230 shots
Capture more photos
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/50 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
More pixels
20.1 vs 16.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
16.0 fps vs 9.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
40 vs 10 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
28 vs 7 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

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
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

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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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

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Buy the Panasonic GM1

Kit with 12-32mm Lens

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Buy the Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 IV

Review Excerpt

Large Four Thirds sensor is impressive for a camera this small; Shares sensor and processor of GX7; Excellent image quality with class-leading high ISO performance; Responsive all-around performer; AF system is fast and accurate; Easy to use and responsive touchscreen; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features; Lightweight and pocketable design makes it easy to carry everywhere.
Can be awkward to use with larger lenses; Rear dial is easy to accidentally press; Lacks a hot-shoe for EVF or external flash; Weak built-in flash; 1/50s flash sync; No 1080p60 video; No external headphone jack or mic input.
Read our Panasonic GM1 Review

Vastly improved burst speeds with deep buffer; 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; High-quality 4K video with uncompressed HDMI out; Super-fast High Frame Rate video; Same great pocket-friendly design.
Pricey for a compact camera; JPEGs can look over-processed at higher ISOs; Lens doesn't offer as much telephoto reach; Battery life not as good as predecessor; 24-70mm-equivalent lens can feel limiting.
Read our Sony RX100 IV Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL6

Panasonic GM1

Olympus E-PL6

$479
4/3

Focus peaking
Built-in Wi-Fi

$299
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Olympus E-PL6

Sony RX100 IV

Olympus E-PL6

$898
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$299
4/3

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Olympus E-PL6

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Panasonic GM1

Sony RX100 III

$479
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 III

$898
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Shoot 4K video

$748
1 inch

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GM1

Panasonic GM5

$479
4/3

Less expensive
Internal flash

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic GM5

Sony RX100 IV

Panasonic GM5

$898
1 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

$898
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Panasonic GM5

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GM1

Panasonic GF7

$479
4/3

$590
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic GF7

Sony RX100 IV

Panasonic GF7

$898
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$590
4/3

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Panasonic GF7

Compared to Sony RX100 V

Panasonic GM1

Sony RX100 V

$479
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$998
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 V

$898
1 inch

Longer stills battery life

$998
1 inch

On-sensor phase detect
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 V

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