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Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A99

Portability
81
Imaging
49
Features
57
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
69
Features
88
Overall
76

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A99 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
  • Announced July 2009
  • New Model is Panasonic GH2
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Announced December 2012
  • Replaced the Sony A900
  • Replacement is Sony A99 II
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Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A99 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A99, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the GH1 (12MP) and A99 (24MP) and the GH1 (Four Thirds) and A99 (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

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The GH1 was brought out 4 years before the A99 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GH1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A99 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise summary of how the GH1 scores versus the A99 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH1 over the Sony A99

 GH1 A99 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Panasonic GH1

 A99 GH1 
AnnouncedDecember 2012July 2009More modern by 41 months
Display resolution1229k460kClearer display (+769k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GH1 and Sony A99

 GH1 A99 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GH1 provides outside measurements of 124mm x 90mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs) while the Sony A99 has dimensions of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") with a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A99 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the GH1 compared to the A99.

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A99 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GH1 and A99 is 81 and 57 respectively.

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes simply by going over specifications. The picture underneath will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the GH1 and A99.

Plainly, the 2 cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The GH1 featuring a tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF harder and the Sony A99 will offer greater detail having its extra 12MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The more aged GH1 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GH1
Portrait photography with Sony A99
59
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
81
manual focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Street photography features
Sony A99 Street photography features
72
fully articulated screen
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no image stabilization
75
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Sports photography highlights
Sony A99 Sports photography highlights
32
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
bad battery pack (320 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
78
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
bad battery pack (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A99 as a Travel photography camera
58
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
doesn't have Timelapse mode
bad battery pack (320 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
60
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (500 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A99 as a Landscape photography camera
55
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
bad battery pack (320 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
74
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
bad battery pack (500 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Vlogging details
Sony A99 Vlogging details
72
display is selfie friendly
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone support
no image stabilization
76
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic jack
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Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH1 and Sony A99
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1Sony SLT-A99
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Sony SLT-A99
Type Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2009-07-10 2012-12-12
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 18.89 x 14.48mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 273.5mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 1600 25600
Max enhanced ISO 3200 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 19
Cross focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 107 143
Crop factor 1.9 1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.50 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/250 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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 385g (0.85 lbs) 812g (1.79 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 90 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 64 89
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 25.0
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 14.0
DXO Low light score 772 1555
Other
Battery life 320 pictures 500 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Storage slots One Dual
Price at release $949 $1,998