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Panasonic GX1 vs Sony ZV-1

Portability
87
Imaging
52
Features
54
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 front
 
Sony ZV-1 front
Portability
88
Imaging
55
Features
86
Overall
67

Panasonic GX1 vs Sony ZV-1 Key Specs

Panasonic GX1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 318g - 116 x 68 x 39mm
  • Released February 2012
  • Updated by Panasonic GX7
Sony ZV-1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 294g - 105 x 60 x 44mm
  • Announced May 2020
  • Replacement is Sony ZV-1 II
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GX1 vs Sony ZV-1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Panasonic GX1 vs Sony ZV-1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the GX1 (16MP) and the ZV-1 (20MP) is pretty similar but the GX1 (Four Thirds) and ZV-1 (1") feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The GX1 was released 9 years prior to the ZV-1 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GX1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony ZV-1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the GX1 scores versus the ZV-1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GX1 over the Sony ZV-1

 GX1 ZV-1 

Reasons to pick Sony ZV-1 over the Panasonic GX1

 ZV-1 GX1 
AnnouncedMay 2020February 2012More modern by 100 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution922k460kCrisper screen (+462k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Panasonic GX1 and Sony ZV-1

 GX1 ZV-1 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Panasonic GX1 vs Sony ZV-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GX1 has got outside measurements of 116mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") having a weight of 318 grams (0.70 lbs) while the Sony ZV-1 has dimensions of 105mm x 60mm x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7") with a weight of 294 grams (0.65 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic GX1 vs Sony ZV-1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the GX1 vs the ZV-1.

Panasonic GX1 vs Sony ZV-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the GX1 and ZV-1 is 87 and 88 respectively.

Panasonic GX1 vs Sony ZV-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GX1 vs Sony ZV-1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizes purely by reading a spec sheet. The picture here will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the GX1 and ZV-1.

As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The GX1 featuring a bigger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Sony ZV-1 will offer extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged GX1 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GX1 vs Sony ZV-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GX1 vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GX1 vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Portrait photography info
Sony ZV-1 Portrait photography info
71
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
73
you can focus manually
decent MP (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GX1 as a Street photography camera
Sony ZV-1 as a Street photography camera
70
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
features touch focus
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
85
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
has touch to focus
lighter than competition (294 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GX1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony ZV-1 as a Sports photography camera
47
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low battery life (300 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
71
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
max fps high (24.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
offers tracking focus
has phase detect AF
bad battery life (260 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Travel photography advice
Sony ZV-1 Travel photography advice
65
features touch focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery life (300 per charge)
does not feature selfie friendly display
81
lighter than competition (294g)
has bluetooth
has touch to focus
decent MP (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
rather wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
bad battery life (260 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GX1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony ZV-1 as a Landscape photography camera
62
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
low battery life (300 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
70
you can focus manually
rather wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
bad battery life (260 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Vlogging features
Sony ZV-1 Vlogging features
32
touch screen
provides face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
does not have external mic jack
86
rather wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
display is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has microphone socket
lighter than competition (294 grams)
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Panasonic GX1 vs Sony ZV-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GX1 and Sony ZV-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1Sony ZV-1
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 Sony ZV-1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Released 2012-02-14 2020-05-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4592 x 3448 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 160 125
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
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
Number of focus points 23 315
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-70mm (2.9x)
Largest aperture - f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 2.7
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 24.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.60 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 318g (0.70 lb) 294g (0.65 lb)
Dimensions 116 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 105 x 60 x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 703 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 260 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $228 $750