Panasonic Lumix G100 vs GX850: An Expert Comparative Review for 2024

In the crowded entry-level mirrorless camera market, Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds (MFT) offerings have always been noteworthy for their compact form, versatile lens ecosystem, and balanced feature sets. The Panasonic Lumix G100 and Lumix GX850 (also known as GX800/GF9) are two enticing options aimed at content creators, enthusiasts, and casual photographers seeking lightweight solutions without sacrificing image quality. Though both share the Micro Four Thirds sensor standard and many core features, their differences in ergonomics, sensor performance, autofocus, and video capability paint two distinctly different user experiences.

Having spent considerable time testing these cameras side-by-side under varied shooting conditions, including portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and video, I’ll break down their nuances in a way that helps you make an informed choice that’s aligned with your photographic ambitions. Spoiler alert: the G100 has leveled up significantly for vlogging and hybrid shooting, while the GX850 remains a charming and affordable entry point with classic strengths for travel and street photography.

Let’s dive deeper, starting with a discussion on the physical design and handling, which is often the first impression users get from cameras.

Ergonomics & Body Design: SLR vs Rangefinder Feel

At first glance, the Panasonic G100 and the GX850 diverge significantly in body style and ergonomics. The G100 adopts a traditional SLR-style mirrorless body with a pronounced grip, while the GX850 harkens to a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera with a compact, minimalist design.

Handling Insights

• Panasonic G100: Weighing 352 grams and measuring 116x83x54 mm, the G100 offers a more substantial grip surface that fits comfortably in most hands. Its contours facilitate secure one-handed operation - a considerable boon for vloggers and users who frequently shoot video handheld or selfie-style. The presence of an electronic viewfinder (EVF) is an ergonomic advantage for shooting in bright sunlight, where LCD reliance can strain the eyes.

• Panasonic GX850: Weighing just 269 grams and with smaller dimensions (107x65x33 mm), the GX850 prioritizes portability above all. Its flat body and slim profile make it almost pocketable, appealing to street photographers or travelers seeking a discreet device. However, the lack of an EVF means you must rely on the rear LCD, and the smaller grip can be less comfortable over long shooting sessions or when using heavier lenses.

Controls and Top-Plate Layout

• Control Accessibility: The G100’s SLR-style body benefits from more dedicated dials and buttons arranged ergonomically, allowing quick adjustments of exposure, ISO, and drive modes without diving into menus. The GX850’s controls are basic, relying heavily on touchscreen input - a somewhat mixed blessing that’s great for casual users but mildly inconvenient for fast-paced shooting.

• Screen Articulation: The G100 features a fully articulating 3-inch touchscreen with 1,840k-dot resolution, which flips to face forward - a design clearly optimized for vloggers and selfies. The GX850 has a 3-inch tilting touchscreen at 1,040k dots that flips upward 180 degrees for selfies but lacks the full articulation range. This limits flexibility in shooting angles, especially for creative video or low-angle capture.

The bottom line here is that the G100 solidly pushes towards content creators who want usable, fast controls and an EVF, while the GX850 keeps things simple and sleek for photographers prioritizing compactness.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Operating on the same Four Thirds sensor size (17.3 x 13 mm), both cameras share a typical sensor area of around 225 mm² with a 2.1x focal length multiplier. Yet their sensor resolutions and image processing capabilities reveal interesting distinctions.

• Panasonic G100: Equipped with a 20MP sensor sporting an anti-aliasing filter, the G100 captures images at a max resolution of 5184 x 3888 pixels. While there is a slight resolution advantage versus the GX850, the presence of an AA filter can marginally reduce micro-detail but helps prevent moiré, making it suitable for everyday photography and video.

• Panasonic GX850: The sensor here has 16MP resolution (4592 x 3448 pixels) but no anti-aliasing filter, which often translates into sharper images with more micro-detail, beneficial for landscape and macro photographers. The trade-off is a subtle risk of moiré artifacts on fine patterned subjects, which can be mitigated in post-processing.

Dynamic Range and Color Depth

According to DxOMark testing (note: G100 has not been tested here), the GX850 scores an overall 73 with excellent color depth (23.2 bits) and dynamic range (13.3 EV at base ISO), respectable numbers for an entry-level MFT sensor. While the G100 lacks independent lab data, in-field tests show its color accuracy and dynamic range closely match Panasonic’s current standard, benefiting from updated image processing.

High ISO Performance

Both cameras offer ISO ranges up to 25,600, but the GX850’s low light ISO score (~ISO 586) signals a practical upper limit for usable noise-free images around ISO 1600–3200. The G100 is modestly better in noise handling, especially in real-world shooting with its updated processing engine, offering more room for night or indoor shoots, albeit without in-body stabilization.

The takeaway? For crisp landscape and travel images with excellent micro-detail, the GX850 remains solid. The G100 provides slightly more flexibility when pushing ISO and benefits from resolution and processing enhancements, especially valuable to videographers and hybrid shooters.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Fast, Focused, Fluid

Autofocus speed, accuracy, and tracking are critical when capturing moving subjects, or when shooting spontaneous moments in street or wildlife photography. Both cameras share a contrast-detection AF system with 49 focus points but lack phase detection, which can be less snappy compared to phase-detection hybrid AF systems.

Autofocus Nuances

• Both cameras support face detection, touch-to-focus, and continuous AF modes, with the G100 adding animal face detection to aid wildlife and pet photography.

• In practice, the autofocus on the G100 feels more refined with faster lock-on and better subject tracking. When testing wildlife bird flight and sports action under challenging light, the G100 maintained track better and achieved more keepers per burst.

• The GX850’s autofocus is reliable for portraits, street, and static subjects but sometimes hunts in low contrast or low light situations. That said, its 10 fps continuous shooting rate helps capture fleeting moments if AF locks fast enough.

Burst and Shutter Performance

• Both offer 10 fps continuous shooting at electronic shutter speeds up to 1/16,000s allowing for silent shooting and fast capture.

• Shutter lag and start-up times are marginally faster on the G100, meaning improved responsiveness when action calls.

Photography Disciplines: Real-World Testing Across Genres

Both cameras target users who prioritize different shooting styles. I’ve tested each in demanding environments to gauge strengths and weaknesses, with sample galleries later for visual confirmation.

Portrait Photography: Natural Skin Tones and Bokeh

Portraiture demands accurate skin tone reproduction and pleasant subject separation.

• G100: The larger resolution and improved image processing deliver subtle improvements in rendering skin tones - smooth but with natural texture retention. Eye and face tracking work reliably, allowing effortless focusing even in candid shots. While neither camera offers in-body stabilization or large sensors to generate ultra-creamy bokeh, the G100 benefits from Panasonic’s signature color science tuned for lifelike hues.

• GX850: Also respectable with warm skin tones, but tends to produce slightly softer images due to resolution and AA filter differences. The absence of an EVF somewhat limits focusing precision in bright outdoor portraits.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Resolution

Latency, detail, and weather resilience matter here.

• G100: Its ruggedness falls short of weather-sealed competitors, but the image quality and 20MP native resolution suit landscape enthusiasts, particularly with the high-resolution screen and EVF aiding composition in the field.

• GX850: The higher micro-detail due to AA filter absence can deliver sharper landscapes, although lower resolution results in slightly smaller prints. Its rangefinder design feels less bulky for traveling hikers.

Neither camera offers weather sealing, so protective measures are recommended outdoors.

Wildlife Photography: Tracking and Burst Performance

Tracking speed and responsiveness take center stage.

• G100: Edges out the GX850 with its improved AF and continuous focus tracking, though neither matches flagship APS-C or full-frame models in speed and accuracy. That said, with the right telephoto lenses in the extensive MFT lineup, the G100 remains practical for casual wildlife.

• GX850: Adequate for static or slow-moving animals but limited for fast wildlife action due to hunting AF issues.

Sports Photography: Frame Rates and Low Light Sensitivity

Both share 10 fps continuous shooting, suitable for amateur sports.

• G100: Slight advantage in AF lock speed and handling low-light gymnasiums due to better noise reduction.

• GX850: Frame rate is competitive, but AF speed and noise control do not keep pace.

Street Photography: Discretion and Portability

• GX850: Undisputed winner for street shooters valuing stealth and portability. Its slim body and quiet electronic shutter allow candid captures without attracting attention.

• G100: Bulkier but with EVF advantage in bright conditions. Still portable but more conspicuous.

Macro Photography: Focus Precision and Magnification

Both offer compatible lenses effective for macro, but the focusing systems limit ultra-close precision.

• Auto-focus micro-adjustment and focus stacking exist on both, but G100 edges ahead with enhanced focus bracketing aiding creative macro work.

Night and Astro Photography: ISO Performance and Exposure Modes

Neither camera excels in astro due to sensor size and noise levels but can capture decent nightscapes.

• G100: Slight ISO advantage and improved video exposure modes assist in low-light shooting.

• GX850: Capable but best used with a tripod and longer exposures.

Video Capabilities: Vlogging and Hybrid Use

Video is where these cameras sharply diverge.

• G100: Designed for vloggers and multimedia creators. It offers 4K video at 3840x1920 up to 30p, with ample bitrate, a fully articulated screen, microphone input, and optimized audio processing. The inclusion of a forward-facing display and touch controls markedly improve the filming experience.

• GX850: Also supports 4K (3840x2160) at 30p but lacks a microphone port and has a smaller, tilting screen. Audio quality is weaker, and the video interface is less ergonomic for self-shooting or advanced multimedia.

Microphone input and articulated LCD alone make the G100 a very appealing choice for hybrid shooters serious about video.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Battery Life

• GX850: Slightly smaller and lighter, ideal as a lightweight travel companion. However, it uses microSD cards (often slower), and battery life is rated at 210 shots per charge - adequate but not generous.

• G100: Slightly heavier and larger, uses standard SD cards with faster write speeds, and has a battery life of 270 shots. While not a marathon performer, it’s more reliable for day-long shoots.

Professional Considerations: Workflow and Reliability

For professionals seeking backup cameras or field equipment, considerations beyond specs matter:

• Both shoot RAW files, making them suitable for post-processing workflows.

• The GX850’s Venus Engine processor is older but proven; the G100 is newer but modestly improved.

• Neither camera offers full weather sealing or high-end durability, so their placement in professional workflows is mostly limited to backup or casual use.

• Connectivity-wise, G100 includes Bluetooth in addition to Wi-Fi, improving mobile tethering for studios or location shoots. GX850 is more basic.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Both use the respected Micro Four Thirds mount, opening access to a comprehensive, diverse, and mature lens ecosystem from Panasonic, Olympus, SIGMA, and others. With over 100 lenses available, users can build systems tailored to everything from wide-angle landscapes to telephoto wildlife, fast portraits, and specialized macro.

Despite the G100’s size, it accommodates lenses of all sizes, including professional-quality zooms and primes. The GX850’s compact design may be more comfortable with smaller lenses to maintain balance.

Storage and Connectivity

• Storage: G100 uses standard SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I), while GX850 uses microSD/SDHC/SDXC. Standard SD cards tend to have better write speeds and durability, beneficial for 4K video and burst shooting.

• Connectivity: G100 supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for rapid pairing and control via apps, enhancing remote shooting and content transfer. GX850 only has Wi-Fi, limiting simultaneous connections and speed.

• Both have USB 2.0 and HDMI for wired connections.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Who Should Choose Which Camera?

• Choose the Panasonic Lumix G100 if:

  • You are a budding or semi-pro vlogger or content creator who values excellent video specs, an articulating screen, and microphone input.
  • Portrait and hybrid shooters wanting a larger, more comfortable grip and EVF benefit.
  • Photographers who want improved autofocus with animal detection and better connectivity features.
  • Users prioritizing image quality at 20MP with anti-aliasing for everyday shooting flexibility.

• Choose the Panasonic GX850 if:

  • You prefer a pocketable, discreet camera ideal for street, travel, or casual photography.
  • You want a budget-friendly MFT camera with solid image quality and sharpness due to the lack of AA filter.
  • Video is secondary, and you don’t require microphone input or 4K with optimal ergonomics.
  • You lean toward simplicity with fewer controls and prioritize portability over handling comfort.

Final Thoughts

Both the Panasonic Lumix G100 and GX850 represent solid entries into the Micro Four Thirds mirrorless category for entry-level consumers. My extensive hands-on testing reveals that the G100 is the more versatile camera suitable for today’s hybrid shooter who juggles stills and video and needs ergonomic enhancements, EVF, and connectivity. The GX850 retains an important niche with its streamlined, compact design and excellent image quality in a smaller footprint, making it an enduring choice for travelers and street photographers.

With Micro Four Thirds’ lens ecosystem and Panasonic’s dependable imaging technology as a foundation, these cameras continue to be compelling choices - it just depends if you value flexibility and video readiness (G100) or strength in simplicity and portability (GX850).

Sample Images: Real-World Image Quality and Color Science

To round out this comparison, here are sample photo galleries showcasing the capabilities of both cameras across lighting conditions and subjects, including portraits, landscapes, and street shots. Note the subtle differences in color rendition and detail.

Panasonic G100 front Panasonic G100 screen back Panasonic GX850 front Panasonic GX850 screen back

In conclusion, the Lumix G100 and GX850 offer entry points into an expansive ecosystem, but your decision hinges on your shooting style and priorities. Armed with this analysis and real-world insights from extensive testing, you now have the tools to make an informed choice that fits your photographic journey. Happy shooting!