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Panasonic GH2 vs Sony RX100 II

Portability
70
Imaging
51
Features
65
Overall
56
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II front
Portability
89
Imaging
50
Features
74
Overall
59

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony RX100 II Key Specs

Panasonic GH2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 442g - 124 x 90 x 76mm
  • Revealed March 2011
  • Superseded the Panasonic GH1
  • New Model is Panasonic GH3
Sony RX100 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 281g - 102 x 58 x 38mm
  • Released June 2013
  • Older Model is Sony RX100
  • Updated by Sony RX100 III
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Panasonic GH2 vs Sony RX100 II Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Panasonic GH2 vs Sony RX100 II, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the GH2 (16MP) and the RX100 II (20MP) is pretty similar but the GH2 (Four Thirds) and RX100 II (1") boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The GH2 was released 3 years earlier than the RX100 II and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GH2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX100 II being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick view of how the GH2 matches up vs the RX100 II for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH2 over the Sony RX100 II

 GH2 RX100 II 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 II over the Panasonic GH2

 RX100 II GH2 
ReleasedJune 2013March 2011Fresher by 27 months
Screen resolution1229k460kCrisper screen (+769k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GH2 and Sony RX100 II

 GH2 RX100 II 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony RX100 II Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic GH2 comes with outside measurements of 124mm x 90mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") and a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Sony RX100 II has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 281 grams (0.62 lbs).

Check the Panasonic GH2 vs Sony RX100 II in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the GH2 compared to the RX100 II.

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony RX100 II size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the GH2 and RX100 II is 70 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony RX100 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony RX100 II Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to see the gap between sensor sizing merely by going over technical specs. The photograph below might provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the GH2 and RX100 II.

As you can tell, both of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The GH2 due to its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Sony RX100 II will offer extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The older GH2 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony RX100 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony RX100 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony RX100 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Portrait photography details
Sony RX100 II Portrait photography details
70
manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
70
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Street photography details
Sony RX100 II Street photography details
68
screen articulates fully
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
85
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is decent (1")
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (281 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Sports photography information
Sony RX100 II Sports photography information
46
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
low frames per second (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (330 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
includes tracking focus
great battery (350 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GH2
Travel photography with Sony RX100 II
62
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse mode
low battery power (330 CIPA)
79
great battery (350 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (281 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Landscape photography info
Sony RX100 II Landscape photography info
60
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (330 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
73
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
saves RAW files
great battery (350 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Vlogging factors
Sony RX100 II Vlogging factors
71
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic socket
lack of image stabilization
37
really wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (281g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone port
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Panasonic GH2 vs Sony RX100 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH2 and Sony RX100 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
Class Advanced Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-03-23 2013-06-27
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 160 160
RAW format
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-100mm (3.6x)
Maximal aperture - f/1.8-4.9
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.7
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle Xtra Fine WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 15.60 m 15.00 m (ISO Auto (W))
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 secs 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24, 30, 60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 442 grams (0.97 lbs) 281 grams (0.62 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 90 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") 102 x 58 x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 60 67
DXO Color Depth score 21.2 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 12.4
DXO Low light score 655 483
Other
Battery life 330 photos 350 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 sec. / 2 sec. / Self-portrait One-person/ Self-portrait Two-person/ Self timer Continuous (3 or 5 shots))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $1,000 $598