• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic G5 advantages over Sony RX100 IV

  • Less expensive
    $800 vs $1000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~1.30 vs 2.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.59x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sony RX100 IV advantages over Panasonic G5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    16.0 fps vs 6.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    40 vs 18 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic G5
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony RX100 IV
Sony RX100 IV

Review Excerpt

  • Small, compact body with excellent focusing and exposure capabilities; Newly enhanced touchpanel LCD screen makes image capture and review a joy; Excellent HD video recording quality.

  • Some controls difficult to access; Too easy to activate menus and options while shooting; Lack of a microphone-in jack limits video recording usefulness.

  • Read our Panasonic G5 Review

  • Vastly improved burst speeds with deep buffer; Great performance with very fast autofocus; Very high resolution gives lots of detail in good light; High ISO noise levels much better than most pocket camera rivals; High-quality 4K video with uncompressed HDMI out; Super-fast High Frame Rate video; Same great pocket-friendly design.

  • Pricey for a compact camera; JPEGs can look over-processed at higher ISOs; Lens doesn't offer as much telephoto reach; Battery life not as good as predecessor; 24-70mm-equivalent lens can feel limiting.

  • Read our Sony RX100 IV Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic G2

Panasonic G5
Panasonic G2
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • More dots on screen
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic G2

Sony RX100 IV
Panasonic G2
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Panasonic G2

Compared to Panasonic G6

Panasonic G5
Panasonic G6
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic G6

Sony RX100 IV
Panasonic G6
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Panasonic G6

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Panasonic G5
Sony RX100 III
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 IV
Sony RX100 III
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $748
  • 1 inch

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic G5
Panasonic G7
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • $623
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic G7

Sony RX100 IV
Panasonic G7
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • NFC
  • $623
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Sony RX100 V

Panasonic G5
Sony RX100 V
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 IV
Sony RX100 V
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 V

Compare Other Cameras?