Panasonic G100 vs Sony A58: An Expert Dive into Entry-Level Cameras for Every Genre

Choosing the right camera can feel daunting - especially when the options straddle different optical and technological philosophies. Today, I’m unpacking two intriguing entry-level beasts: Panasonic’s mirrorless Lumix G100, sleek and modern, versus Sony’s aging but well-regarded DSLR-ish SLT A58. Each brings unique strengths, quirks, and compromises to the table; both claim their rightful place in the enthusiast’s kit.

Having spent considerable time testing these cameras in real-world conditions across multiple photography genres, I’ll walk you through everything from sensor tech to user ergonomics, and from autofocus prowess to video chops, aiming to empower your decision with authentic, experience-rich insights.

Let's get right into the details - with precise comparisons and hands-on observations.

First Impressions and Handling: Size, Weight, and Controls Matter

Starting with physicality - the Panasonic G100 weighs a light 352g, contrasting noticeably against Sony’s chunkier 492g A58. When you hold them side-by-side, the G100 feels nimble and travel-friendly (a big plus for prolonged shoots and street photography), while the A58 commands presence in hand, lending a reassuring heft some shooters crave for stability.

Ergonomically, both cameras adopt a familiar SLR/mirrorless design language. The G100 features a compact SLR-style mirrorless body, whereas the A58 retains a classic DSLR form-factor - with a slightly bulkier grip but also a more substantial command dial layout.

Diving into control layouts (see above), Panasonic impresses with modern touches: the fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen makes navigating menus intuitive, and the touchscreen autofocus offers quick point-selection. Meanwhile, Sony’s A58 sticks to a more traditional non-touch LCD, tilted but limited at 2.7 inches, relying on buttons and dials that, while familiar to DSLR loyalists, feel a bit dated for navigating menus swiftly.

In sum, for those who prioritize portability without sacrificing control - the G100 edges ahead. Yet, if you prefer a robust grip and the tactile feedback of classic DSLR controls, the A58 still holds charm despite its age.

Sensor and Image Quality: Micro Four Thirds vs APS-C Debate

A camera’s sensor is its beating heart, dictating much of the image quality. The Panasonic G100 houses a 20MP Micro Four Thirds (MFT) CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm, while the Sony A58 sports a 20MP APS-C CMOS sensor at 23.2 x 15.4 mm - a physically larger sensor area (348mm² vs 224.9mm²).

This size differential impacts dynamic range, noise handling, and depth of field control.

From my extensive testing under varied lighting, the Sony A58’s APS-C sensor delivers superior image quality under low light - thanks to its lower noise at higher ISOs - and offers more nuanced dynamic range, capturing highlights and shadows in delicate balance. It scored 74 in DxOmark’s overall, with respectable 23.3 bits color depth and 12.5 EV dynamic range.

The Panasonic G100, while not officially DxO tested yet, follows typical MFT characteristics - more limited high ISO performance due to smaller photosites, but a more compact sensor and lens system giving it strength in portability and smaller depth of field for a given focal length (due to the 2.1x crop factor). It manages high ISO reasonably well up to 3200-6400 when coupled with noise reduction in post but won't match the A58’s APS-C clean output in dim scenes.

Regarding resolution, both deliver comparable 20MP files - 5,184 x 3,888 pixels (G100) vs 5,456 x 3,632 pixels (A58) - producing sharp, detailed images when combined with quality lenses.

In landscape and portrait photography, color fidelity and dynamic range shine with Sony’s sensor - in large part due to the bigger sensor surface gathering more light with less noise. But Panasonic’s sensor shines in video and fast CMOS readout speeds, supporting features like 4K photo modes.

Viewing and Composition: LCD and Viewfinder Showdown

Composition tools differ greatly between these two cameras. The Panasonic G100 offers a sharp 3-inch, 1,840k-dot fully articulating touchscreen, supporting selfie modes and flexible video framing. This is vital if you shoot vlogs, self-portraits, or require awkward-angle compositions, enhancing user comfort greatly.

The Sony A58's LCD is smaller (2.7 inches), tilting but non-touch (460k-dot) - adequate but clearly behind current standards and less ideal for intuitive focusing and menu navigation.

Both cameras feature electronic viewfinders, but here again, the G100’s display has a clear technological advantage: a 3,680k-dot EVF with 0.73x magnification and 100% coverage, delivering crisp, bright framing.

Sony’s A58 houses a 1,440k-dot EVF with 0.65x magnification and the same 100% coverage. While usable outdoors, the A58’s EVF can feel slightly laggy and lower in resolution, making manual focusing and precise framing more challenging, especially under demanding light.

For photographers who shoot often in bright conditions or require critical manual focus (think macro or wildlife), the Panasonic G100’s viewfinder and touchscreen interface provide a notable edge.

Autofocus and Shooting Responsiveness: Tracking and Speed

Autofocus performance is a critical factor - especially for action, wildlife, and sports photography.

The Panasonic G100 uses a contrast-detection system with 49 focus points across the frame, featuring advanced face detection and tracking AF via DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology. There is no phase detection sensor, but Panasonic’s AF algorithms deliver swift, reliable autofocus in good light, with smooth continuous autofocus in video and real-time tracking. However, under low-contrast or low-light conditions, the contrast-based AF can struggle slightly.

The Sony A58, in contrast, employs a hybrid system with 15 phase-detection points and 3 cross-type sensors, which yield faster and more precise autofocus, particularly in stills and continuous modes. Its 8fps burst rate, though lower than newer models, remains respectable. The A58 supports eye detection and face tracking, aiding portrait and event photography, although the relatively limited autofocus points reduce flexibility in moving subject tracking compared to newer cameras.

Through hours photographing wildlife and sports, I found the Sony A58’s phase detection system provided improved subject acquisition and lock-on performance - helping photographers working with telephoto and moving targets.

Panasonic G100 front Panasonic G100 screen back Sony A58 front Sony A58 screen back

Both cameras support continuous AF for video, but the G100’s contrast AF is inherently quieter and smoother for video capture - a boon for hybrid shooters.

Lens Ecosystems and Optical Flexibility

Lens availability is a crucial factor when investing in a camera system.

The Panasonic G100 mounts to the established Micro Four Thirds system, boasting approximately 107 lens options from Panasonic, Olympus, and third-party manufacturers. The MFT standard offers immense versatility - from ultra-wide primes, fast 25mm f/1.4 lenses perfect for portraits and street shooting, to compact zooms. Additionally, the smaller sensor allows for lighter lenses, enhancing portability.

Sony’s A58 uses the Sony/Minolta Alpha (A-mount) lens mount, which supports about 143 lenses, albeit many are older or out of production since Sony's attention shifted to the E-mount mirrorless.

The A-mount lens ecosystem includes classic Sony and Minolta SLR glass, plus new models from Sony, but lens availability is less vibrant and more niche now, sometimes necessitating adapters to modern lenses for best performance.

For portrait photographers seeking beautiful bokeh and creative options, both mounts provide excellent lenses, though Micro Four Thirds’ smaller sensor crops pose differences in background blur rendering.

Still Photography Performance Across Genres

Portrait Photography

Portraits benefit from skin tone accuracy, eye-tracking autofocus, and bokeh quality.

• Panasonic G100: The accurate face detection AF quickly locks onto subjects, with skin tones rendering naturally under various lighting. The 20MP sensor and MFT lenses produce decent bokeh, but depth of field control is slightly limited compared to APS-C. The fully articulated screen aids framing creative portraits and environmental portraits.

• Sony A58: Larger sensor yields shallower depth of field, creating smoother background blur, enhancing subject separation. Eye AF is reasonably effective but limited by the older AF system. Color reproduction can vary and sometimes benefits from in-camera adjustments but overall solid.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooting demands resolution, dynamic range, weather sealing, and wide angle coverage.

• Panasonic G100’s MFT sensor offers less dynamic range but acceptable results in well-lit conditions. The lack of weather sealing is a double-edged sword. However, the camera’s compactness encourages travel and lightweight kit use.

• Sony A58 excels in dynamic range and noise performance, making it a better choice for high-contrast scenes and twilight landscapes. Its bulkier size and no weather sealing remain drawbacks for rugged environments.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Here, autofocus speed and frame rates matter.

• Sony A58, with 15 phase-detection points and 8fps shooting, performs well, though its 15 AF points are basic by today’s standards.

• Panasonic G100’s 10fps burst is impressive, but contrast AF can lag for fast-moving subjects, making it less dependable for high-speed sports or wildlife actions.

Street Photography

Portability and discretions are king here.

• Panasonic's G100 is silent (with electronic shutter up to 1/16,000s) and compact, making it discreet for candid work.

• Sony’s A58 is bulkier and noisier due to mechanical shutter and mirror, which draws more attention but offers an optical-style shooting experience some photographers prefer.

Macro and Night/Astro Photography

• Both cameras perform adequately in macro setups, but G100’s touchscreen and focus stacking capabilities give a practical edge.

• Night photography reveals Sony’s APS-C sensor supremacy in high ISO cleanliness and dynamic range.

Video Capabilities

The Panasonic G100 shines here, with 4K video up to 30fps, 4K photo modes, and a fully articulated screen ideal for vloggers. It supports external mics and advanced video features like focus peaking, making it a versatile hybrid shooter.

The Sony A58 records up to Full HD 1080p with no 4K support, fewer video-centric options, and no touchscreen.

Durability, Battery, and Connectivity

Sony’s A58 outperforms Panasonic G100 on battery life, achieving approximately 690 frames per charge versus 270 frames on the G100. This is a significant consideration for extended shoots or travel without access to power.

Neither model offers weather sealing, nor rugged protections, so care is advised under adverse weather.

Connectivity-wise, Panasonic G100 includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth - enabling seamless image transfer and remote shooting through apps. Sony A58 is limited to Eye-Fi card connectivity, an older standard with limited support.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Recommendations by User Type and Genre

Our final evaluation visually plots these cameras’ performance across major photographic disciplines for practical clarity.

• Vloggers and Hybrid Shooters: Panasonic G100’s 4K video, selfie-friendly screen, and compact form make it arguably the better package.

• Portrait Photographers: Sony A58’s bigger sensor and classic handling deliver superior bokeh and color rendition.

• Landscape Enthusiasts: The A58’s dynamic range and resolution provide necessary latitude for demanding scenes.

• Wildlife and Sports Shooters: A58’s phase-detection AF and respectable burst rate edge out G100’s contrast AF, although neither is a flagship speedster.

• Street Photographers & Travelers: G100’s lightweight, quiet operation, and flexible screen win for discretion and portability.

• Macro and Night/Astro: Both capable, but G100’s focusing tools aid macro; the A58’s sensor handles low light better.

• Budget-Conscious or Beginners: Both priced similarly; decide based on shooting preferences - a modern hybrid with video flair or DSLR-flavored stills supremacy.

Closing Thoughts: Which Entry-Level Camera Deserves Your Investment?

From my hands-on experience spanning hundreds of shooting hours, the choice between Panasonic G100 and Sony A58 boils down to purpose and priorities.

If you aspire to a camera that doubles as a capable video performer, excels in portability, and offers cutting-edge usability features like touchscreen AF, the Panasonic G100 is a savvy pick - even if that means some compromises in low-light stills.

Conversely, if your passion leans toward still photography with an emphasis on image quality in challenging light, balanced with classic DSLR ergonomics and superior battery life, Sony’s A58 remains a surprisingly potent machine, especially if you find a great deal and compatible lenses.

Neither camera is designed to compete with flagship models, but within their niches, they confidently hold their ground. Your careful consideration of the detailed trade-offs discussed here will ensure the best fit for your creative vision and workflow.

Happy shooting!

This review is grounded in extensive, real-world testing and technical analysis, dedicated to empowering photographers with honest, precise perspectives on camera gear choices.