• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic GX7 advantages over Sony A5100

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • 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
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/320 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 230k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.7 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 67 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A5100 advantages over Panasonic GX7

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,347 vs 718 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 54 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    399g vs 532g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    25 vs 9 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX7

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5100

Review Excerpt

  • Sharp retro design and solid build; High resolution, tiltable electronic viewfinder and LCD touchscreen monitor; Competitive still image quality; Very good video quality, recording Full HD at frame rates up to 60p; Fast autofocusing and all-around performance; Robust Wi-Fi and NFC capabilities, including remote shooting when paired with a smart device

  • Weak built-in flash; No external mic or headphone jack for video recording; Some poor results when shooting in Creative Panorama mode

  • Very small and comfortable form factor; Very good image quality for its class; New dual video record function; Quick autofocus and good dynamic range.

  • Lacks an EVF and external mode dial; No hot shoe; JPEG processing at higher ISOs not as good as some competing mid-level models.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Panasonic GX7
Olympus E-M5
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More telephoto lens reach
Sony A5100
Olympus E-M5
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Panasonic GX7
Samsung NX1100
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Sony A5100
Samsung NX1100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Sony A5000

Panasonic GX7
Sony A5000
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
Sony A5100
Sony A5000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compared to Olympus E-M10

Panasonic GX7
Olympus E-M10
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
Sony A5100
Olympus E-M10
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic GX7
Olympus E-M5 II
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
Sony A5100
Olympus E-M5 II
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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