Sony A9 vs Panasonic LX100 II

Cameras
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Sony A9 vs Panasonic LX100 II

35mm 847.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Sony A9 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A9 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A9.
Compare Sony A9 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A9 conclusion.

4/3 224.9mm²
17.0 megapixels
24.00mm - 75.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic LX100 II Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic LX100 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the LX100 II.
Compare Panasonic LX100 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic LX100 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A9 II
Compare A9 vs A9 II
Compare Sony A9 II vs Panasonic LX100 II

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Differences

Sony A9 advantages over Panasonic LX100 II

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.93 vs 3.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~1.20 vs 2.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Longer video battery life
105 vs 35 minutes
Capture more video
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

650 vs 300 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More viewfinder magnification
0.78x vs 0.70x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.2 vs 17.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
20.0 fps vs 11.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
364 vs 109 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 11.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
240 vs 34 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
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic LX100 II advantages over Sony A9

Less expensive
$798 vs $2999
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Lighter weight
392g vs 673g
Lighter weight
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots

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
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
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 GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

User reviews

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Read A9 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

New sensor offers incredible performance; Excellent image quality at low & high ISOs; Very good dynamic range; Phenomenal 20fps burst speed & deep buffer; Very good battery life for a mirrorless; 4K video; Dual card slots.
Slow buffer clearing; Only one card slot is UHS-II compatible; Touchscreen underutilized; No lossless RAW compression option; No 4K/60p option.
Read our Sony A9 Review

Compact coat-pocket friendly body with plenty of dedicated controls; Great electronic viewfinder; Impressive image quality for its class; Generous performance; Decent battery life.
Too big for a pants pocket; No articulation for LCD; Relatively short zoom range compared to some rivals; Can't use full sensor area at any aspect ratio; Not the best choice for video.
Read our Panasonic LX100 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Sony A9

Panasonic LX100

$3147
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$598
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony A9 vs Panasonic LX100

Panasonic LX100 II

Panasonic LX100

$898
4/3

Touchscreen
Built-in Bluetooth

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic LX100 II vs Panasonic LX100

Compared to Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Sony A9

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

$3147
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$875
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony A9 vs Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Panasonic LX100 II

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

$898
4/3

Touchscreen
Built-in Bluetooth

$875
4/3

Bigger pixels
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic LX100 II vs Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$3147
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3802
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

Compare Sony A9 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Panasonic LX100 II

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$898
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic LX100 II vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Sony A7R III

Sony A9

Sony A7R III

$3147
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$2248
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A7R III

Panasonic LX100 II

Sony A7R III

$898
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$2248
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic LX100 II vs Sony A7R III

Compared to Sony A9 II

Sony A9

Sony A9 II

$3147
35mm

Less expensive

$4498
35mm

Newer

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A9 II

Panasonic LX100 II

Sony A9 II

$898
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$4498
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic LX100 II vs Sony A9 II

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