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Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A7R

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 and the Sony Alpha A7R are two enthusiast cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in March 2009 and October 2013. Both the GH1 and the A7R are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are based on a Four Thirds (GH1) and a full frame (A7R) sensor. The Panasonic has a resolution of 12 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 36.2 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Panasonic GH1
versus
Sony A7R
Panasonic GH1   Sony A7R
Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
Micro Four Thirds lenses Sony E mount lenses
12 MP – Four Thirds sensor 36.2 MP – Full Frame sensor
1080/24p Video 1080/60p Video
ISO 100-1,600 (100 - 3,200) ISO 100-25,600 (50 - 51,200)
Electronic viewfinder (1440k dots) Electronic viewfinder (2400k dots)
3.0" LCD – 460k dots 3.0" LCD – 1230k dots
Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive) Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
3 shutter flaps per second 4 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
300 shots per battery charge340 shots per battery charge
124 x 90 x 45 mm, 385 g 127 x 94 x 48 mm, 465 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 and the Sony Alpha A7R? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Panasonic GH1 and the Sony A7R is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The GH1 can be obtained in two different colors (black, red), while the A7R is only available in black.

Size Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A7R
Compare GH1 versus A7R top
Comparison GH1 or A7R rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A7R is notably larger (7 percent) than the Panasonic GH1. Moreover, the A7R is markedly heavier (21 percent) than the GH1. It is noteworthy in this context that the A7R is splash and dust-proof, while the GH1 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog (GH1) and the Sony FE Lens Catalog (A7R). Mirrorless cameras, such as the two under consideration, have the additional advantage of having a short flange to focal plane distance, which makes it possible to mount many lenses from other systems onto the camera via adapters.

Concerning battery life, the GH1 gets 300 shots out of its Panasonic DMW-BLB13 battery, while the A7R can take 340 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FW50 power pack. The power pack in the A7R can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Panasonic GH1 124 mm 90 mm 45 mm 385 g 300 n Mar 2009 899ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A7R 127 mm 94 mm 48 mm 465 g 340 Y Oct 2013 2,299ebay.com
3.
 
Olympus E-P1 121 mm 70 mm 36 mm 355 g 300 n Jun 2009 799ebay.com
4.
 
Olympus E-P2 121 mm 70 mm 36 mm 355 g 300 n Nov 2009 799ebay.com
5.
 
Panasonic LX100 115 mm 66 mm 55 mm 393 g 300 n Sep 2014 899ebay.com
6.
 
Panasonic GX1 116 mm 68 mm 39 mm 318 g 320 n Nov 2011 699ebay.com
7.
 
Panasonic G10 124 mm 84 mm 74 mm 388 g 380 n Mar 2010 499ebay.com
8.
 
Panasonic G2 124 mm 84 mm 74 mm 428 g 360 n Mar 2010 599ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic GF2 113 mm 68 mm 33 mm 310 g 300 n Nov 2010 549ebay.com
10.
 
Panasonic GH2 124 mm 90 mm 76 mm 442 g 330 n Sep 2010 899ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic GF1 119 mm 71 mm 36 mm 385 g 380 n Sep 2009 749ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic G1 124 mm 84 mm 45 mm 360 g 410 n Sep 2008 599ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A7C II 124 mm 71 mm 63 mm 514 g 540 Y Aug 2023 2,199 amazon.com
14.
 
Sony A7 IV 131 mm 96 mm 80 mm 659 g 580 Y Oct 2021 2,499 amazon.com
15.
 
Sony A7R II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 625 g 290 Y Jun 2015 3,199ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A7S 127 mm 94 mm 48 mm 489 g 380 Y Apr 2014 2,499ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A7 127 mm 94 mm 48 mm 474 g 340 Y Oct 2013 1,699ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The GH1 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 61 percent) than the A7R, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Panasonic GH1 features a Four Thirds sensor and the Sony A7R a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the A7R is 283 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.0 and 1.0. The sensor in the GH1 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the A7R offers a 3:2 aspect.

Panasonic GH1 and Sony A7R sensor measures

With 36.2MP, the A7R offers a higher resolution than the GH1 (12MP), but the A7R nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.88μm versus 4.33μm for the GH1) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the A7R is a much more recent model (by 4 years and 7 months) than the GH1, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the A7R has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Sony A7R implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the A7R for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 36.8 x 24.6 inches or 93.5 x 62.4 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 29.4 x 19.6 inches or 74.8 x 49.9 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 24.5 x 16.4 inches or 62.3 x 41.6 cm. The corresponding values for the Panasonic GH1 are 20 x 15 inches or 50.8 x 38.1 cm for good quality, 16 x 12 inches or 40.6 x 30.5 cm for very good quality, and 13.3 x 10 inches or 33.9 x 25.4 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600, which can be extended to ISO 100-3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha A7R are ISO 100 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-51200.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

GH1 versus A7R MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. Of the two cameras under consideration, the A7R offers substantially better image quality than the GH1 (overall score 31 points higher). The advantage is based on 4 bits higher color depth, 2.5 EV in additional dynamic range, and 1.8 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Panasonic GH1 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 30001080/24p21.611.677264
2.
 
Sony A7R Full Frame 36.2 7360 49121080/60p25.614.1274695
3.
 
Olympus E-P1 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024720/30p21.410.453655
4.
 
Olympus E-P2 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024720/30p21.510.450556
5.
 
Panasonic LX100 Four Thirds 12.7 4112 30884K/30p22.312.555367
6.
 
Panasonic GX1 Four Thirds 15.8 4592 34481080/60p20.810.670355
7.
 
Panasonic G10 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 3000720/30p21.210.141152
8.
 
Panasonic G2 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 3000720/30p21.210.349353
9.
 
Panasonic GF2 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 30001080/60i21.210.350654
10.
 
Panasonic GH2 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/60i21.211.365560
11.
 
Panasonic GF1 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 3000720/30p21.210.351354
12.
 
Panasonic G1 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 3000none21.110.346353
13.
 
Sony A7C II Full Frame 32.7 7008 46724K/60p25.414.7323796
14.
 
Sony A7 IV Full Frame 32.7 7008 46724K/60p25.414.7337997
15.
 
Sony A7R II Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p26.013.9343498
16.
 
Sony A7S Full Frame 12.0 4240 28321080/60p23.913.2370287
17.
 
Sony A7 Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.814.2224890
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the A7R provides a faster frame rate than the GH1. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60p, while the Panasonic is limited to 1080/24p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under review are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the A7R offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the GH1 (2400k vs 1440k dots). The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Panasonic GH1 and Sony A7R along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Panasonic GH11440 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
2.
 
Sony A7R2400 n3.0 / 1230 tilting n 1/8000s 4.0/s n n
3.
 
Olympus E-P1none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n Y
4.
 
Olympus E-P2optional n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n Y
5.
 
Panasonic LX1002764 n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 11.0/s n Y
6.
 
Panasonic GX1optional n3.0 / 460 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.2/s Y n
7.
 
Panasonic G10202 n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 2.6/s Y n
8.
 
Panasonic G21440 n3.0 / 460 swivel Y 1/4000s 2.6/s Y n
9.
 
Panasonic GF2optional n3.0 / 460 fixed Y 1/4000s 2.6/s Y n
10.
 
Panasonic GH21534 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
11.
 
Panasonic GF1optional n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
12.
 
Panasonic G11440 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
13.
 
Sony A7C II2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n Y
14.
 
Sony A7 IV3686 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
15.
 
Sony A7R II2400 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
16.
 
Sony A7S2400 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
17.
 
Sony A72400 n3.0 / 1230 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The GH1 has one, while the A7R does not. While the built-in flash of the GH1 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The GH1 has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the A7R does not have a selfie-screen.

The GH1 writes its imaging data to SDHC cards, while the A7R uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The A7R supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the GH1 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 and Sony Alpha A7R and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Panasonic GH1Ystereo / -Y-mini2.0---
2.
 
Sony A7RYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
3.
 
Olympus E-P1Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
4.
 
Olympus E-P2Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
5.
 
Panasonic LX100Ystereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
6.
 
Panasonic GX1Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
7.
 
Panasonic G10Ymono / ---mini2.0---
8.
 
Panasonic G2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
9.
 
Panasonic GF2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
10.
 
Panasonic GH2Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
11.
 
Panasonic GF1Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
12.
 
Panasonic G1Y- / ---mini2.0---
13.
 
Sony A7C IIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2Y-Y
14.
 
Sony A7 IVYstereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
15.
 
Sony A7R IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
16.
 
Sony A7SYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
17.
 
Sony A7Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
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It is notable that the A7R offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the GH1 does not provide wifi capability.

Both the GH1 and the A7R have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The GH1 was replaced by the Panasonic GH2, while the A7R was followed by the Sony A7R II. Further information on the features and operation of the GH1 and A7R can be found, respectively, in the Panasonic GH1 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony A7R Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Panasonic GH1 and the Sony A7R? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

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Reasons to prefer the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 80g or 17 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (61 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in March 2009).

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Arguments in favor of the Sony Alpha A7R:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (36.2 vs 12MP), which boosts linear resolution by 77%.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (31 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
  • Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (4 bits more color depth).
  • More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (2.5 EV of extra DR).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (1.8 stops ISO advantage).
  • Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60p versus 1080/24p).
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (2400k vs 1440k dots).
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.71x vs 0.70x).
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1230k vs 460k dots).
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (4 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (340 versus 300) out of a single battery charge.
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
  • More modern: Reflects 4 years and 7 months of technical progress since the GH1 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the A7R is the clear winner of the contest (20 : 7 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

GH1 07:20 A7R

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Panasonic GH1 and the Sony A7R place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the GH1 or the A7R perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Panasonic GH1..+ +..72/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2009 899ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A7R5/5+ +..82/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2013 2,299ebay.com
3.
 
Olympus E-P1..+..66/1004/54.5/5 Jun 2009 799ebay.com
4.
 
Olympus E-P23/5+..69/1004/54.5/5 Nov 2009 799ebay.com
5.
 
Panasonic LX1005/5+ +..85/1005/55/5 Sep 2014 899ebay.com
6.
 
Panasonic GX13/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Nov 2011 699ebay.com
7.
 
Panasonic G103/5....70/1004/54/5 Mar 2010 499ebay.com
8.
 
Panasonic G2......72/1004/54.5/5 Mar 2010 599ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic GF23/582/100..70/1004.5/54.5/5 Nov 2010 549ebay.com
10.
 
Panasonic GH25/5+ +..79/1004.5/55/5 Sep 2010 899ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic GF1..85/100..69/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2009 749ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic G1..+ +..70/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2008 599ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A7C II4/5..4/587/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2023 2,199 amazon.com
14.
 
Sony A7 IV5/5+ +4.5/589/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2021 2,499 amazon.com
15.
 
Sony A7R II5/5+ +5/590/1005/55/5 Jun 2015 3,199ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A7S4/5....86/1004.5/55/5 Apr 2014 2,499ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A75/5+ +..80/1005/55/5 Oct 2013 1,699ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Panasonic GH1 vs Sony A7R

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Panasonic GH1 Sony A7R
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Micro Four Thirds lenses Sony E mount lenses
    Launch Date March 2009 October 2013
    Launch Price USD 899 USD 2,299
    Sensor Specs Panasonic GH1 Sony A7R
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Four Thirds Sensor Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 17.3 x 13.0 mm 35.9 x 24.0 mm
    Sensor Area 224.9 mm2 861.6 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 21.6 mm 43.2 mm
    Crop Factor 2.0x 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 12 Megapixels 36.2 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4000 x 3000 pixels 7360 x 4912 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.33 μm 4.88 μm
    Pixel Density 5.34 MP/cm2 4.20 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/24p Video 1080/60p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 1,600 ISO 100 - 25,600 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 3,200 ISO 50 - 51,200 ISO
    Image Processor Venus HD BIONZ X
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 64 95
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 21.6 25.6
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11.6 14.1
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 772 2746
    Screen Specs Panasonic GH1 Sony A7R
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.70x 0.71x
    Viewfinder Resolution 1440k dots 2400k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 460k dots 1230k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen Tilting screen
    Shooting Specs Panasonic GH1 Sony A7R
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 3 shutter flaps/s 4 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDHC cards MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Panasonic GH1 Sony A7R
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI micro HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port External MIC port
    Headphone Socket no Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support no Wifi Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication no NFC NFC built-in
    Body Specs Panasonic GH1 Sony A7R
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Panasonic DMW-BLB13 Sony NP-FW50
    Battery Life (CIPA)300 shots per charge340 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging no USB charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 124 x 90 x 45 mm
    (4.9 x 3.5 x 1.8 in)
    127 x 94 x 48 mm
    (5.0 x 3.7 x 1.9 in)
    Camera Weight 385 g (13.6 oz) 465 g (16.4 oz)
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    Check GH1 offers at
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    Check A7R offers at
    ebay.com

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