• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 90.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony RX100 advantages over Panasonic LX7

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.41 vs 1.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Fast startup
    ~2.80 vs 3.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    390 vs 147 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 920k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.15 vs 0.24 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic LX7 advantages over Sony RX100

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $650 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.4 vs f/1.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.1 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.1 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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Buy the Panasonic LX7

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent high-ISO performance for such a compact model; Smart controls; Small body; Bright lens; 10fps full-res burst mode; Very fast shutter response; Excellent LCD.

  • Lens flare at night; Poor rendering of yellows; Slow flash recycling; Soft corners wide open; Continuous AF mode slow to lock.

  • Fast lens; Sharp lens; Rock-solid image stabilization; Fast autofocus and shutter lag; Level gauge.

  • Sluggish startup; Battery life lower; Switches can change accidentally; Slow buffer clearing.

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100
Sony RX100 II
  • $1095
  • 1 inch
  • Faster RAW shooting
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Panasonic LX7
Sony RX100 II
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100
Sony RX100 III
  • $1095
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Faster RAW shooting
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
Panasonic LX7
Sony RX100 III
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Samsung EX2F

Sony RX100
Samsung EX2F
  • $1095
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $479
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
Panasonic LX7
Samsung EX2F
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More dots on screen
  • $479
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon G7X

Sony RX100
Canon G7X
  • $1095
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
Panasonic LX7
Canon G7X
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Panasonic LX10

Sony RX100
Panasonic LX10
  • $1095
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $548
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic LX7
Panasonic LX10
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $548
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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