Panasonic G1 vs Sony A7R
82 Imaging
46 Features
50 Overall
47


78 Imaging
74 Features
76 Overall
74
Panasonic G1 vs Sony A7R Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 3200)
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 360g - 124 x 84 x 45mm
- Announced January 2009
- Renewed by Panasonic G2
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 465g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
- Introduced February 2014
- Renewed by Sony A7R II

Panasonic G1 vs Sony A7R Overview
In this article, we will be reviewing the Panasonic G1 and Sony A7R, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the G1 (12MP) and A7R (36MP) and the G1 (Four Thirds) and A7R (Full frame) use different sensor sizing.

The G1 was released 6 years prior to the A7R which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).
Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the G1 scores versus the A7R with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic G1 vs Sony A7R Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 and Sony Alpha A7R. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic G1 Gallery and Sony A7R Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic G1 over the Sony A7R
G1 | A7R | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Sony A7R over the Panasonic G1
A7R | G1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2014 | ![]() | January 2009 | Newer by 61 months |
Screen resolution | 1230k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+770k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic G1 and Sony A7R
G1 | A7R | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly screen |
Panasonic G1 vs Sony A7R Physical Comparison
If you're intending to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic G1 has exterior measurements of 124mm x 84mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") and a weight of 360 grams (0.79 lbs) while the Sony A7R has specifications of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") along with a weight of 465 grams (1.03 lbs).
Check out the Panasonic G1 and Sony A7R in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the G1 against the A7R.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the G1 and A7R is 82 and 78 respectively.

Panasonic G1 vs Sony A7R Sensor Comparison
Often, it's tough to picture the difference in sensor dimensions merely by looking through specs. The pic below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the G1 and A7R.
As you can plainly see, each of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The G1 because of its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Sony A7R will provide you with extra detail as a result of its extra 24MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged G1 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic G1 vs Sony A7R Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G1 vs Sony A7R Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 | Sony Alpha A7R | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 | Sony Alpha A7R |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
Announced | 2009-01-19 | 2014-02-13 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 36 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 7360 x 4912 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 25600 |
Max enhanced ISO | 3200 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Total lenses | 107 | 121 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 460k dots | 1,230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen technology | - | Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359k dots |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.71x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 3.0 frames/s | 4.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 10.50 m | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | no built-in flash |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/160 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) |
Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 360 grams (0.79 lb) | 465 grams (1.03 lb) |
Dimensions | 124 x 84 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") | 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 53 | 95 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.1 | 25.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.3 | 14.1 |
DXO Low light score | 463 | 2746 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 images | 340 images |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) |
Time lapse recording | With downloadable app | |
Type of storage | SD/MMC/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at release | $0 | $1,898 |