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Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A9

Portability
59
Imaging
60
Features
89
Overall
71
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
74
Features
93
Overall
81

Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Panasonic GH5
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 725g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Introduced January 2017
  • Superseded the Panasonic GH4
  • Replacement is Panasonic GH5 II
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Released April 2017
  • Later Model is Sony A9 II
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Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A9 Overview

The following is a complete overview of the Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A9, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the GH5 (20MP) and the A9 (24MP) is fairly close but the GH5 (Four Thirds) and A9 (Full frame) provide different sensor sizes.

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The GH5 was introduced 3 months earlier than the A9 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the GH5 matches up against the A9 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5 over the Sony A9

 GH5 A9 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1620k1440kCrisper display (+180k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Panasonic GH5

 A9 GH5 

Common features in the Panasonic GH5 and Sony A9

 GH5 A9 
ReleasedJanuary 2017April 2017Same generation
Focus manually Very exact focus
Touch display Easily navigate

Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GH5 offers outer dimensions of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") having a weight of 725 grams (1.60 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).

See the Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A9 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the GH5 and the A9.

Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the GH5 and A9 is 59 and 65 respectively.

Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions simply by researching specifications. The picture underneath will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GH5 and A9.

Plainly, each of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The GH5 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF harder and the Sony A9 will result in more detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics a bit more aggressively.

Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Portrait photography details
Sony A9 Portrait photography details
76
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
84
focusing manually
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focus
supports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Street photography info
Sony A9 Street photography info
74
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
has focus via touch
weather sealing
great high ISO (25,600)
79
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
comes with touch to focus
weather proofing
very good high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GH5
Sports photography with Sony A9
68
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
low battery pack (410 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
87
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
high fps (20.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
good battery pack (650 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Travel photography highlights
Sony A9 Travel photography highlights
68
weather sealing
has bluetooth
has focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
low battery pack (410 per charge)
74
good battery pack (650 shots)
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
comes with touch to focus
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GH5
Landscape photography with Sony A9
75
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have low pass filter
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
2 card slots
low battery pack (410 shots)
86
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
good battery pack (650 per charge)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GH5
Vlogging with Sony A9
75
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
has mic support
37
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have external mic port
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH5 and Sony A9
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 Sony Alpha A9
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2017-01-04 2017-04-19
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 25600 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO 100 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 225 693
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen diagonal 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 1,620 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,680 thousand dot 3,686 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 12.0 frames/s 20.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Redeye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On w/Redeye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Redeye Reduction, Forced Off Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) -
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 725 gr (1.60 pounds) 673 gr (1.48 pounds)
Physical dimensions 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 77 92
DXO Color Depth score 23.9 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 13.3
DXO Low light score 807 3517
Other
Battery life 410 shots 650 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs; 10 secs w/3 shots) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots Dual Dual
Launch pricing $1,298 $4,498