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Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A6500

Portability
81
Imaging
50
Features
57
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 front
 
Sony Alpha a6500 front
Portability
81
Imaging
68
Features
85
Overall
74

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A6500 Key Specs

Panasonic GH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 3200)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 124 x 90 x 45mm
  • Introduced July 2009
  • Newer Model is Panasonic GH2
Sony A6500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 453g - 120 x 67 x 53mm
  • Released October 2016
  • Earlier Model is Sony A6300
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Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A6500 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Panasonic GH1 versus Sony A6500, both Advanced Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the GH1 (12MP) and A6500 (24MP) and the GH1 (Four Thirds) and A6500 (APS-C) use different sensor size.

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The GH1 was brought out 8 years prior to the A6500 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GH1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A6500 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a full comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the GH1 grades against the A6500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH1 over the Sony A6500

 GH1 A6500 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A6500 over the Panasonic GH1

 A6500 GH1 
ReleasedOctober 2016July 2009More recent by 88 months
Screen resolution922k460kCrisper screen (+462k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic GH1 and Sony A6500

 GH1 A6500 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A6500 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GH1 features external dimensions 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 A6500 has measurements of 120mm x 67mm x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1") accompanied by a weight of 453 grams (1.00 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic GH1 versus Sony A6500 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the GH1 vs the A6500.

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A6500 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GH1 and A6500 is 81 and 81 respectively.

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A6500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A6500 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to visualize the difference between sensor measurements simply by going over a spec sheet. The graphic underneath may give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GH1 and A6500.

Clearly, both of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The GH1 due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field tougher and the Sony A6500 will offer you greater detail having its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older GH1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A6500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A6500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A6500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A6500 as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
80
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GH1
Street photography with Sony A6500
72
screen can move to multiple angles
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
85
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
has focus via touch
weather proofing
above average ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A6500 as a Sports photography camera
33
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
bad battery (320 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
77
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect auto focus
bad battery power (350 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Travel photography advice
Sony A6500 Travel photography advice
58
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery (320 shots)
low resolution (12MP)
74
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
has focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
flash built-in
bad battery power (350 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Landscape photography info
Sony A6500 Landscape photography info
55
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
bad battery (320 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
80
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
bad battery power (350 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A6500 as a Vlogging camera
72
selfie friendly screen
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic support
does not have image stabilization
39
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external mic socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A6500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH1 and Sony A6500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1Sony Alpha a6500
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Sony Alpha a6500
Type Advanced Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Introduced 2009-07-10 2016-10-06
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 18.89 x 14.48mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 273.5mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 1600 25600
Maximum boosted ISO 3200 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 425
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 121
Crop factor 1.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.50 m 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction (On/Off selectable), Hi-speed sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 385 gr (0.85 lbs) 453 gr (1.00 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 90 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") 120 x 67 x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 64 85
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 24.5
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 13.7
DXO Low light score 772 1405
Other
Battery life 320 pictures 350 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Launch price $949 $1,298