Clicky

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A7S

Portability
81
Imaging
49
Features
57
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 front
 
Sony Alpha A7S front
Portability
77
Imaging
60
Features
73
Overall
65

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A7S Key Specs

Panasonic GH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 3200)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 124 x 90 x 45mm
  • Launched July 2009
  • Replacement is Panasonic GH2
Sony A7S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 409600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 489g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Launched April 2014
  • Newer Model is Sony A7S II
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A7S Overview

Below, we are looking at the Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A7S, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the GH1 (12MP) and the A7S (12MP) is very comparable but the GH1 (Four Thirds) and A7S (Full frame) come with different sensor measurements.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The GH1 was unveiled 5 years prior to the A7S which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving in to a complete comparison, below is a quick view of how the GH1 grades versus the A7S when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH1 over the Sony A7S

 GH1 A7S 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A7S over the Panasonic GH1

 A7S GH1 
LaunchedApril 2014July 2009More modern by 57 months
Display resolution1230k460kSharper display (+770k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GH1 and Sony A7S

 GH1 A7S 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A7S Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic GH1 provides external measurements of 124mm x 90mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") along with a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs) whilst the Sony A7S has specifications of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") and a weight of 489 grams (1.08 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A7S in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the GH1 vs the A7S.

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A7S size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GH1 and A7S is 81 and 77 respectively.

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A7S top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A7S Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes merely by seeing a spec sheet. The image below should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the GH1 and A7S.

Clearly, each of the cameras posses the exact same megapixels but different sensor sizes. The GH1 features the smaller sensor which should make obtaining bokeh tougher. The more aged GH1 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A7S sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A7S Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A7S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Portrait photography details
Sony A7S Portrait photography details
59
focusing manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
68
manual focus
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Panasonic GH1 as a Street photography camera
Sony A7S as a Street photography camera
72
fully articulated screen
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
76
has a tilting screen
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
lighter than competitors in class (489g)
very good ISO range (409,600)
lack of image stabilization
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GH1
Sports photography with Sony A7S
32
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (320 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
52
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
low fps (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
terrible battery life (360 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Travel photography highlights
Sony A7S Travel photography highlights
58
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery (320 shots)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
58
lighter than competitors in class (489 grams)
environment proof
terrible battery life (360 per charge)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GH1
Landscape photography with Sony A7S
55
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
terrible battery (320 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
66
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
great sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (409,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (360 CIPA)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Vlogging factors
Sony A7S Vlogging factors
72
selfie friendly display
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic socket
no image stabilization
34
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has external mic port
lighter than competitors in class (489 grams)
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A7S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH1 and Sony A7S
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1Sony Alpha A7S
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Sony Alpha A7S
Category Advanced Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2009-07-10 2014-04-06
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine HD Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 18.89 x 14.48mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 273.5mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4240 x 2832
Highest native ISO 1600 409600
Highest enhanced ISO 3200 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Amount of lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 1.9 1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 1,230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
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 speed 3.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.50 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 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 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160, XAVC S 1080 60p(50Mbps), 30p (50Mbps), 24p (50Mbps). 720 120p (50Mbps). AVCHD 60p (28Mbps), 60i (24Mbps/17Mbps), 24p (24Mbps/17Mbps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 385 grams (0.85 pounds) 489 grams (1.08 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 90 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 64 87
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 23.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.6 13.2
DXO Low light rating 772 3702
Other
Battery life 320 images 360 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - 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/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Price at release $949 $1,998