• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony RX100 II advantages over Panasonic G9

  • Less expensive
    $598* vs $1498
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    281g vs 658g
    Lighter weight
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic G9 advantages over Sony RX100 II

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.34 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    6 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 9.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    50 vs 13 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    60.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    50 vs 13 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/2000 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • New, 20.2MP, 1-inch type, backside illuminated (BSI) image sensor produces superb image quality, with particular improvements in low light and high ISO; 3-inch tilting rear LCD screen handy for composing shots from difficult angles; Fast all-around performer with quick autofocus and virtually no shutter lag; New, multi-interface hotshoe for adding a strobe or optional electronic viewfinder; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.

  • Bigger and heavier than previous model; More expensive than previous model; Reduced burst performance when shooting RAW files; Somewhat confusing menu structure and control layout; Wi-Fi features can be difficult to set up.

  • Great build quality; Very good image quality; Effective IBIS; Excellent performance; Fast shooting speeds; 4K/60p video.

  • No phase-detection autofocus; 10-minute limit for 4k60p video clips; No V-Log or 10-bit video.

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100

Sony RX100 II
Sony RX100
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • Faster RAW shooting
Panasonic G9
Sony RX100
  • $1064
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 II
Sony RX100 III
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup
Panasonic G9
Sony RX100 III
  • $1064
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon G7X

Sony RX100 II
Canon G7X
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $699
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
Panasonic G9
Canon G7X
  • $1064
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • 1 inch
  • NFC
  • Internal flash

Compared to Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 II
Sony RX100 IV
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
Panasonic G9
Sony RX100 IV
  • $1064
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Panasonic GH5

Sony RX100 II
Panasonic GH5
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic G9
Panasonic GH5
  • $1064
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Top deck display
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
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