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Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A9

Portability
81
Imaging
50
Features
57
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
74
Features
93
Overall
81

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Panasonic GH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 3200)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 124 x 90 x 45mm
  • Launched July 2009
  • Replacement is Panasonic GH2
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Introduced April 2017
  • Renewed by Sony A9 II
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Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A9 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Panasonic GH1 and Sony A9, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Panasonic and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the GH1 (12MP) and A9 (24MP) and the GH1 (Four Thirds) and A9 (Full frame) provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The GH1 was introduced 8 years prior to the A9 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting right into a detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the GH1 grades versus the A9 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH1 over the Sony A9

 GH1 A9 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Panasonic GH1

 A9 GH1 
IntroducedApril 2017July 2009Fresher by 94 months
Screen resolution1440k460kClearer screen (+980k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic GH1 and Sony A9

 GH1 A9 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GH1 offers external measurements of 124mm x 90mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") and a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs) whilst the Sony A9 has measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") having a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic GH1 and Sony A9 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the GH1 and the A9.

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GH1 and A9 is 81 and 65 respectively.

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing simply by looking at specifications. The graphic underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the GH1 and A9.

Plainly, both cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The GH1 with its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony A9 will give you more detail using its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older GH1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Portrait photography details
Sony A9 Portrait photography details
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
84
you can focus manually
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Street photography info
Sony A9 Street photography info
72
screen articulates fully
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
79
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
provides touch focus
environment proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Sports photography information
Sony A9 Sports photography information
33
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
low battery power (320 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
87
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (20.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
better than average battery life (650 shots)
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A9 as a Travel photography camera
58
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
missing Time Lapse recording
low battery power (320 shots)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
74
better than average battery life (650 shots)
environment proof
has bluetooth
provides touch focus
decent MP (24MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A9 as a Landscape photography camera
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
low battery power (320 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
86
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
better than average battery life (650 per charge)
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A9 as a Vlogging camera
72
display is selfie friendly
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic support
lack of image stabilization
37
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have external mic socket
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH1 and Sony A9
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Sony Alpha A9
Type Advanced Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2009-07-10 2017-04-19
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 18.89 x 14.48mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 273.5mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 1600 51200
Highest enhanced ISO 3200 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 693
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 1.9 1
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 20.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.50 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 385 grams (0.85 pounds) 673 grams (1.48 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 90 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 64 92
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 13.3
DXO Low light score 772 3517
Other
Battery life 320 photographs 650 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots One 2
Launch price $949 $4,498