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Panasonic GM5 vs Sony TX20

Portability
91
Imaging
52
Features
62
Overall
56
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
50
Overall
42

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony TX20 Key Specs

Panasonic GM5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 211g - 99 x 60 x 36mm
  • Announced September 2014
  • Older Model is Panasonic GM1
Sony TX20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
  • 133g - 96 x 56 x 18mm
  • Introduced February 2012
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony TX20 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Panasonic GM5 and Sony TX20, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the GM5 (16MP) and the TX20 (16MP) is relatively similar but the GM5 (Four Thirds) and TX20 (1/2.3") offer different sensor sizing.

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The GM5 was revealed 2 years after the TX20 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GM5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony TX20 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summation of how the GM5 matches up against the TX20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GM5 over the Sony TX20

 GM5 TX20 
IntroducedSeptember 2014February 2012More modern by 31 months

Reasons to pick Sony TX20 over the Panasonic GM5

 TX20 GM5 
Screen resolution922k921kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GM5 and Sony TX20

 GM5 TX20 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony TX20 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GM5 has exterior measurements of 99mm x 60mm x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 211 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Sony TX20 has measurements of 96mm x 56mm x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic GM5 and Sony TX20 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at the time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the GM5 and the TX20.

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony TX20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the GM5 and TX20 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony TX20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony TX20 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizes only by reading a spec sheet. The pic here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the GM5 and TX20.

As you can see, both of the cameras have the same MP albeit different sensor sizes. The GM5 offers the bigger sensor which is going to make getting shallower depth of field easier. The more modern GM5 provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony TX20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony TX20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony TX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Portrait photography features
Sony TX20 Portrait photography features
71
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
39
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GM5 as a Street photography camera
Sony TX20 as a Street photography camera
75
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
features touch focus
lighter than competitors in class (211g)
very good high ISO (25,600)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch focus
weather proofing
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Sports photography details
Sony TX20 Sports photography details
48
quiet shutter (1/16,000s)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/500s)
max frames per second low (5.8 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery life (250 per charge)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Travel photography features
Sony TX20 Travel photography features
70
lighter than competitors in class (211g)
features touch focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (220 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
72
good battery life (250 CIPA)
weather proofing
comes with touch focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Landscape photography advice
Sony TX20 Landscape photography advice
68
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
51
you can focus manually
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
weather proofing
good battery life (250 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Vlogging features
Sony TX20 Vlogging features
34
touchscreen
offers face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (211 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have external mic port
35
pretty wide (25mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
does not have mic socket
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Panasonic GM5 vs Sony TX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GM5 and Sony TX20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Announced 2014-09-15 2012-02-28
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3448 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Min native ISO 200 125
RAW format
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-4.6
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/500 secs 1/1600 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 5.8 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.70 m
Flash settings Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 211 gr (0.47 lbs) 133 gr (0.29 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 60 x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") 96 x 56 x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 721 not tested
Other
Battery life 220 shots 250 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DMW-BLH7 NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $966 $330