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Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
93
Imaging
53
Features
60
Overall
55
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Panasonic GM1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 204g - 99 x 55 x 30mm
  • Introduced December 2013
  • Updated by Panasonic GM5
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Panasonic GM1 versus Panasonic SZ1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are designed by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the GM1 (16MP) and the SZ1 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the GM1 (Four Thirds) and SZ1 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor size.

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The GM1 was introduced 24 months after the SZ1 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summation of how the GM1 grades against the SZ1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GM1 over the Panasonic SZ1

 GM1 SZ1 
LaunchedDecember 2013January 2012Newer by 24 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen resolution1036k230kSharper screen (+806k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic GM1

 SZ1 GM1 

Common features in the Panasonic GM1 and Panasonic SZ1

 GM1 SZ1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic GM1 features outside measurements of 99mm x 55mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") with a weight of 204 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ1 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic GM1 versus Panasonic SZ1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the GM1 versus the SZ1.

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the GM1 and SZ1 is 93 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions simply by checking technical specs. The image below may give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the GM1 and SZ1.

As you can tell, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact resolution albeit different sensor dimensions. The GM1 contains the bigger sensor which will make obtaining bokeh easier. The newer GM1 provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Portrait photography details
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography details
65
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
34
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Street photography factors
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography factors
77
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
boasts touch to focus
lighter than average in class (204 grams)
good high ISO (25,600)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (131g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Sports photography details
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography details
48
silent mode (1/16,000 seconds)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/500 seconds)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography highlights
74
lighter than average in class (204 grams)
boasts touch to focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
bad battery life (230 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
lighter than competition (131g)
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography factors
69
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
bad battery life (230 shots)
43
rather wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Vlogging advice
Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging advice
35
touchscreen enabled
has face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (204g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of external mic jack
32
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
lighter than competition (131g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic jack
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Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GM1 and Panasonic SZ1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-12-19 2012-01-09
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4592 x 3448 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range - 4cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,036k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/500 secs 1/1600 secs
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/50 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 24p), 1280 x 720p (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
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 204 gr (0.45 lb) 131 gr (0.29 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 55 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 660 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 photos 250 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $750 $179