Sony RX100 II vs Panasonic GM1

Cameras
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Sony RX100 II vs Panasonic GM1

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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

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.

Succeeded by the Sony RX100 III
Compare RX100 II vs RX100 III

Succeeded by the Panasonic GM5
Compare GM1 vs GM5

Compare SONY RX100 III vs PANASONIC GM5

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Differences

Sony RX100 II advantages over Panasonic GM1

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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

350 vs 230 shots
Capture more photos
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/50 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More pixels
20.2 vs 16.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Bigger RAW buffer
13 vs 7 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Panasonic GM1 advantages over Sony RX100 II

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
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 2.8 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 II test data on DxO Mark

660 vs 483 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster RAW shooting
10.3 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/16000 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
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
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
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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Read GM1 User Reviews

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Kit with 12-32mm Lens

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.
Read our Sony RX100 II Review

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

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

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100

Panasonic GM1

Sony RX100

$479
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1074
1 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Sony RX100

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

Compare Sony RX100 II vs 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

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

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Canon G7X

Panasonic GM1

Canon G7X

$479
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$699
1 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Canon G7X

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Sony RX100 II

Panasonic GM5

$598
1 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

$898
4/3

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony RX100 II vs 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

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Sony RX100 II

Panasonic GF7

$598
1 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
NFC

$590
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GM1

Panasonic GF7

$479
4/3

$590
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic GF7

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