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Panasonic GH5 II vs Sony a1

Portability
59
Imaging
63
Features
89
Overall
73
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 II front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Panasonic GH5 II vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Panasonic GH5 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4992 x 3744 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 727g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Launched July 2021
  • Also referred to as Lumix DC-GH5M2
  • Old Model is Panasonic GH5
  • Replacement is Panasonic GH6
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Expand to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Introduced January 2021
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Panasonic GH5 II vs Sony a1 Overview

Let's look closer at the Panasonic GH5 II and Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the GH5 II (20MP) and a1 (50MP) and the GH5 II (Four Thirds) and a1 (Full frame) provide different sensor dimensions.

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The GH5 II was released 7 months later than the a1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the GH5 II matches up against the a1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5 II over the Sony a1

 GH5 II a1 
IntroducedJuly 2021January 2021Fresher by 7 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1840k1440kCrisper display (+400k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Panasonic GH5 II

 a1 GH5 II 

Common features in the Panasonic GH5 II and Sony a1

 GH5 II a1 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Touch display Easily navigate

Panasonic GH5 II vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GH5 II enjoys outer dimensions of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") having a weight of 727 grams (1.60 lbs) whilst the Sony a1 has measurements of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic GH5 II and Sony a1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the GH5 II versus the a1.

Panasonic GH5 II vs Sony a1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the GH5 II and a1 is 59 and 61 respectively.

Panasonic GH5 II vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH5 II vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizing merely by reviewing technical specs. The graphic here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the GH5 II and a1.

As you can tell, each of these cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The GH5 II due to its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony a1 will offer extra detail as a result of its extra 30MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a bit more aggressively. The more modern GH5 II provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GH5 II vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH5 II vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH5 II vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH5 II as a Portrait photography camera
Sony a1 as a Portrait photography camera
77
focusing manually
MP count decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
88
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/400 seconds)
sensor resolution is great (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH5 II Street photography information
Sony a1 Street photography information
74
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
weather sealing
above average ISO range (25,600)
79
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
boasts touch to focus
environment proof
good ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GH5 II
Sports photography with Sony a1
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
bad battery life (400 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
90
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
high max frames per second (30.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is great (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
good battery pack (530 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GH5 II
Travel photography with Sony a1
69
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
MP count decent (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
bad battery life (400 CIPA)
73
good battery pack (530 shots)
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
boasts touch to focus
sensor resolution is great (50 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH5 II as a Landscape photography camera
Sony a1 as a Landscape photography camera
76
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
two card slots
bad battery life (400 CIPA)
88
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is great (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (32,000)
supports RAW files
environment proof
good battery pack (530 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH5 II Vlogging details
Sony a1 Vlogging details
76
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
video resolution high (4992 x 3744 pxls)
includes external microphone socket
36
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (7680 x 4320 resolution)
includes external mic jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic GH5 II vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH5 II and Sony a1
 Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 IISony Alpha a1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 II Sony Alpha a1
Also referred to as Lumix DC-GH5M2 -
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2021-07-30 2021-01-26
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 50 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 8640 x 5760
Max native ISO 25600 32000
Max enhanced ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 225 759
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Amount of lenses 108 133
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,840 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,680 thousand dot 9,437 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.9x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 12.0fps 30.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/400 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4992x3744 (30p/?25p/?24p) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Max video resolution 4992x3744 7680x4320
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 727g (1.60 lbs) 737g (1.62 lbs)
Physical dimensions 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 1136 not tested
Other
Battery life 400 pictures 530 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model DMW-BLK22 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible) Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots Dual Dual
Launch cost $1,700 $6,498