Panasonic GF5 vs Sony RX100 IV

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Panasonic GF5 vs Sony RX100 IV

4/3 224.9mm²
12.1 megapixels
ISO 160 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GF5 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the GF5.

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 GF6
Compare GF5 vs GF6

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

Compare PANASONIC GF6 vs SONY RX100 V

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Sony RX100 IV

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.33 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
~1.40 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.
GF5 test data on DxO Mark RX100 IV test data on DxO Mark

618 vs 562 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots

Sony RX100 IV advantages over Panasonic GF5

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More pixels
20.1 vs 12.1 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 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
40 vs 5 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 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
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GF5 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GF5

Kit with 14-42mm Lens

Kit with 14-42mm Lens
Kit with 14-42mm Power Lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 IV

All RX100 IV Deals

Review Excerpt

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.
Read our Panasonic GF5 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-PL3

Panasonic GF5

Olympus E-PL3

$430
4/3

Touchscreen
Fast startup

$700
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PL3

Sony RX100 IV

Olympus E-PL3

$898
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
4/3

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF5

Olympus E-PM1

$430
4/3

Touchscreen
Higher effective ISO

$500
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Hot shoe

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PM1

Sony RX100 IV

Olympus E-PM1

$898
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$500
4/3

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Olympus E-PM1

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5

Panasonic GF3X

$430
4/3

Higher effective ISO
More dynamic range

$750
4/3

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic GF3X

Sony RX100 IV

Panasonic GF3X

$898
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$750
4/3

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Panasonic GF5

Sony RX100 III

$430
4/3

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$748
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GF5 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 Sony RX100 V

Panasonic GF5

Sony RX100 V

$430
4/3

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$998
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GF5 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

Compare Other Cameras?