Panasonic LX100 II vs Sony A9 II: A Hands-On Comparison for Serious Shutterbugs

Choosing your next camera can feel like a lifetime commitment - and with bargains and beasts spanning compact to pro-level mirrorless, the line between enthusiasm and overwhelm blurs fast. Today, we're diving deep into two very different cameras that, while both exceptional, cater to different photographers and shooting scenarios: the Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II, a large sensor compact offering portability and versatility, and the Sony Alpha A9 Mark II, an upright titan designed to tackle pro-level sports, wildlife, and studio work.

I've spent weeks shooting with both in various conditions - sunset cityscapes, fast-paced soccer matches, and the quiet macro world of backyard blooms. I’m sharing what stood out, what held back, and who gets the most from each. Ready? Let’s unravel the nuts and bolts, pixel by pixel.

Size, Feel, and Mobility: When Bigger Isn’t Always Better

Let’s start where most of us feel it first: size and ergonomics. While specs on paper tell you dimensions and weight, only actual handling reveals comfort, grip, and pocketability.

The Panasonic LX100 II is delightfully compact for its large sensor. At 115×66×64 mm and just 392 grams, it nestles comfortably in one hand or a jacket pocket. For a camera packing a Four Thirds sensor and a fast 24-75mm (equivalent) f/1.7-2.8 lens, that’s impressive engineering. The fixed lens design avoids the bulk and complexity of interchangeable systems, making it a trustworthy companion for travel or casual outings where you want quality with minimal fuss.

Contrast this with the Sony A9 II, sized and shaped almost like a classic DSLR but wielding mirrorless tech under the hood. At 129×96×76 mm and 678 grams, it’s significantly bulkier and heavier. This aligns with its professional target - ergonomic grip, robust build, and a layout designed for rapid-fire action and extended handheld sessions with heavy telephotos. While not heavy by pro standards, the A9 II demands a camera bag, rider.

Between the two, the LX100 II screams everyday ease, and the A9 II promises professional presence and control. Your choice here hinges on shooting style and portability needs.

Design and Control: Which Buttons Push Your Limits?

Physical size leads naturally to handling controls. Does the camera feel intuitive under your fingers? Are the buttons logically placed or a maze of menus? The answer heavily influences your ability to shoot confidently and quickly.

Panasonic’s LX100 II maintains a relatively clean top plate, with a mode dial, shutter speed ring on the lens, aperture ring, and exposure compensation dial. This analog control feel is something I appreciate - it’s tactile, immediate, and visually reassuring. Though compact, it crams in features effectively, including a dedicated control ring on the lens that you can assign various functions to, great for creative flexibility.

Sony’s A9 II is a pro’s dream in ergonomics - buttons around the shutter for AF control, customizable function buttons, dual control dials, a joystick for focus point movement, and a more responsive shutter release. Its controls are well spaced, logical, and built to stay steady in fast-paced scenarios where milliseconds count.

The LX100 II’s controls encourage deliberate shooting, inviting you to slow down and experiment. Meanwhile, the A9 II is about rapid reaction and precision, with every button engineered for muscle memory and speed.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

The sensor is the beating heart of any camera, dictating image quality, dynamic range, and low-light capabilities. It’s vital to understand how the LX100 II’s sensor compares to the powerhouse inside the A9 II.

Panasonic’s LX100 II packs a 4/3" (17.3×13 mm) CMOS sensor with a resolution of 17MP, using a Bayer filter and including an antialias filter. The smaller sensor size lets Panasonic use fast optics (f/1.7 wide) to compensate for depth-of-field and light gathering. In well-lit conditions, this yields crisp, punchy images with beautiful contrast. The sensor delivers good dynamic range for its size - helpful in balancing highlights and shadows during tricky landscapes or portraits.

Sony’s A9 II, on the other hand, uses a full-frame (35.6×23.8 mm) BSI-CMOS sensor with 24MP resolution. This sensor fills the frame with more light-gathering area, which translates to superior dynamic range, better color depth, and breathtaking low-light performance. If pushing ISO above 12,800 rarely triggers worry for noise is your thing, the A9 II shines.

To practical effect: I found the LX100 II’s files excellent for social media, prints up to 13x19 inches, or travelogs. The A9 II’s files, however, offer more flexibility for large editorial prints, heavy cropping, or demanding post-processing workflows - think commercial portraiture or wildlife shoots where detail matters.

Viewing Experience: Electronic Viewfinders and Screens

The viewfinder and LCD screen influence how you compose shots and review images on the fly. A bright, high-res EVF can be a game-changer, especially in bright daylight.

Panasonic’s fixed 3-inch touchscreen has 1,240,000 dots. It’s bright, responsive, and supports touch AF, which is a handy tool for focusing on the fly. The electronic viewfinder, while not huge, offers 2,760,000 dots and 100% coverage. It’s sharp but can lag slightly in dim conditions due to the sensor tech and processing speed.

Sony’s A9 II sports a 3-inch tilting touchscreen with a crisper 1,440,000 dots, plus a stellar EVF at 3,686,000 dots and 0.78x magnification with 100% coverage. The EVF is buttery smooth with ultra-low blackout time, perfect for tracking sports or wildlife moving at a rapid pace. The tilting LCD also helps with low or high-angle shooting, which proved useful in macro and street photography.

If your shooting style demands fast focus and quick compositional shifts in variable lighting, the Sony edges ahead here. But the Panasonic’s viewfinder remains perfectly functional for travel and casual work.

Autofocus and Performance: Hunting the Moment

AF performance is where much of a camera’s character is revealed - does it lock on instantly? Can it track moving subjects reliably? Both cameras boast impressive systems, but they target vastly different use cases.

The LX100 II uses a contrast-detection AF system with 49 focus points. It supports Face Detection and Basic Tracking, but no phase-detection pixels or eye/animal AF. Focusing is precise in good lighting but can hunt a bit in low light or on fast, erratically moving subjects. For street photography, portraits, or landscapes, this contrast AF is usually sufficient and pleasantly silent. I appreciated the manual focus ring too - perfect for macro or pre-focused shots.

Conversely, the Sony A9 II’s AF system is packed with 693 phase-detection points, covering a whopping 93% of the frame. Its Eye AF includes animals, flawless tracking, and lock-on performance that is frankly awe-inspiring. The A9 II shoots at 20 fps with continuous AF and exposure tracking, indispensable for sports or wildlife professionals. I tested this at a football game - sheer reliability when athletes darted unpredictably left me nodding in approval.

If your photography is centered around action and precision, the Sony wins hands down. If you’re a methodical shooter or prefer simplified operation, the Panasonic works well.

Lens Options and Versatility: Fixed vs Interchangeable

Panasonic LX100 II comes with a fixed 24-75 mm f/1.7-2.8 lens equivalent, offering a versatile zoom range for everyday shooting - from environmental portraits to landscapes. The fast aperture is great for shallow depth of field and low light. The image stabilization built into the lens also aids handheld shooting.

The Sony A9 II is compatible with the comprehensive Sony E-mount lens ecosystem, currently boasting over 120 lenses ranging from ultra-wide angles to super-telephoto beasts. This unparalleled choice lets you match glass precisely to your shooting needs - macro, tilt-shift, cinema lenses, or goliath 400mm f/2.8 telephotos for wildlife.

For photographers who love switching lenses or require specialized optics for different projects, the A9 II is the clear winner. But if you want a pocketable, all-in-one solution without lens changing hassle, the LX100 II's fixed lens is no slouch.

Burst Rates and Buffer: Catching the Decisive Second

If you’re photographing fast action - be it birds, sports, or kids - the burst speed and buffer depth matter an awful lot.

• Panasonic LX100 II delivers a respectable 11 fps continuous shooting with focus and exposure locked from the first frame.
• Sony A9 II shatters that barrier with 20 fps blackout-free shooting, with real-time AF/AE tracking.

The A9 II’s buffer and UHS-II dual card slot combo easily sustain long bursts with RAW shooting. In contrast, the LX100 II is limited to a single SD card slot with UHS-I support and a smaller buffer, fitting for more casual bursts.

Battery Life and Storage: Power to Keep You Shooting

Battery life often separates convenience from frustration.

• Panasonic’s DMW-BLE9 battery rated for roughly 340 shots per charge (CIPA standard). Lightweight but modest - perfect for day trips but you may want spares.
• Sony’s NP-FZ100 battery is a powerhouse - 690 shots per charge, nearly double, reflecting its professional pedigree.

On storage, Sony’s dual slots support UHS-II cards for fast write speeds and backup recording. Panasonic’s single slot and lower write speed reflect its more consumer-oriented positioning.

Weather Resistance and Durability: Ready for the Elements?

If you shoot outdoors professionally or just like assurance against the elements:

• Sony A9 II features robust environmental sealing to resist dust and moisture.
• Panasonic LX100 II lacks weather sealing, advising care in wet or dusty conditions.

This makes Sony better suited for demanding outdoor conditions and professional use where downtime hurts.

Video Capabilities: Not Just for Photographers

Both cameras support 4K video at 30p, with some caveats.

• Panasonic LX100 II records 4K at 100 Mbps in MP4 format, includes 4K Photo feature (grab 8MP stills from video), but lacks external mic or headphone jacks - limiting serious videography.
• Sony A9 II also shoots 4K at 30p, adding professional video codecs (XAVC S), plus microphone and headphone jacks for audio monitoring and higher quality sound recording.

If video is a serious consideration, Sony offers deeper pro-level tools; LX100 II serves casual video shooters solidly.

Real-Life Image Samples: A Window Into Their World

Let me share some sample images I shot in varied conditions with both cameras. I’ve included landscapes, portraits, wildlife, and some night shots. These illustrate the strengths and trade-offs described above.

Panasonic LX100 II front Panasonic LX100 II screen back Sony A9 II front Sony A9 II screen back

Look closely - Sony’s files are punchier with finer detail and better highlight recovery. Panasonic’s images charm with warmth and slightly softer bokeh, perfect for expressive snapshots and travel stories.

Performance Scores: Who Tops the Charts?

Though public DxO Mark scores aren’t available for these models, here’s my subjective performance synthesis based on my hands-on testing and industry data, summarized for clarity.

Sony A9 II dominates in speed, AF, low-light, and resolution. Panasonic LX100 II excels in portability and user-friendly handling.

Specialized Photography Disciplines: Which Excels Where?

To help you decide, here’s a breakdown of how these cameras perform across genres:

• Portrait: Panasonic’s good native lens and skin tone rendition make it a joy for casual portraits; Sony’s full-frame sensor and eye AF give pros the edge.
• Landscape: Sony’s resolution, dynamic range, and weather sealing win for demanding landscapes; Panasonic is still more than capable for travel vistas.
• Wildlife and Sports: Sony is the undisputed champion in speed, AF tracking, and telephoto compatibility. Panasonic’s burst rate and AF won’t cut it here.
• Street: LX100 II offers stealth and agility; Sony is bulkier but powerful if you’re switching lenses.
• Macro: Panasonic’s close focus distance and manual control offer a nimble macro tool, though Sony can do macro well with specialized lenses.
• Night/Astro: Sony’s high ISO prowess clearly outpaces Panasonic.
• Video: Sony caters better to video pros; Panasonic remains a casual enthusiast pick.
• Travel: LX100 II’s compact nature wins travel convenience; Sony demands space but rewards versatility.
• Professional Work: Sony’s reliability and features make it a workhorse; Panasonic is less suited for demanding professional workflows.

Price and Value: What’s Your Investment Saying?

Retail wise, Panasonic LX100 II retails around $1,000, offering a lot of capability for a loyal enthusiast or traveler. It’s hard to beat for a large sensor compact that punches above its weight.

Sony A9 II, priced near $4,500, is a significant investment, but one justified by pro-grade speed, autofocus, build quality, and lens options. This camera is built to make a living for photographers needing dependability in the field.

Ultimately, it’s a classic quality vs. quantity and function vs. form trade-off: are you looking for an excellent all-rounder or a professional tool?

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

I love seeing these two cameras side by side for the sheer contrast they represent: one is a compact marvel that can travel, capture, and create quietly but with soul; the other is a professional juggernaut crafted to seize the decisive moment with machine-like precision.

Choose the Panasonic LX100 II if:

• You want a compact, travel-ready camera that’s easy to carry and quick to use.
• You shoot portraits, landscapes, street, or casual macro with the occasional video.
• You prefer a fixed lens with fast aperture and in-body stabilization.
• Budget is a consideration but you still want solid image quality.

Opt for the Sony A9 II if you:

• Shoot fast action sports, wildlife, or professional events needing blazing burst rates and eye/animal AF.
• Need pro-level weather sealing and ergonomic controls for long hours.
• Require interchangeable lenses spanning wide angles to super telephotos.
• Are invested in video production with high-quality audio needs.
• Demand maximum image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance - at a commensurate price.

Hope this guided walk-through makes your decision easier - after all, choosing a camera should be a delightful step toward new creative adventures, not a paralyzing vortex of specs. Both these cameras have their charm and command, and the best one is always the one that empowers your vision.

Happy shooting!

Images used in this article:

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5. Panasonic LX100 II front Panasonic LX100 II screen back Sony A9 II front Sony A9 II screen back