Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 vs Sigma sd Quattro H

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      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 and the Sigma sd Quattro H, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 was introduced in February 2012 and Sigma sd Quattro H was introduced in February 2016. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 Highlights

      • 16 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
      • 160 - 12,800 Native ISO
      • 23 Focus Points (23 Cross-type)
      • 3.0" 460k dot Fixed Screen
      • 4.2 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-in Flash

      Sigma sd Quattro H Highlights

      • 44.8 MP APS-H CMOS (Foveon X3) Sensor
      • No Optical Low-pass Filter
      • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points
      • 3.0" 1,620k dot Fixed Screen
      • 2,360k dot Electronic Viewfinder
      • 3.8 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 and Sigma sd Quattro H.

      PROS

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      •   Video Capture
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 318 g (0.70 lb / 11.22 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   High Resolution Sensor - 44.8 Megapixel
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   High USB Speed
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      •   Small Sensor
      •   160 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 55
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots
      •   No Video Capture
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.8 fps
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.2 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,360k dot
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Weight - 635 g (1.40 lb / 22.4 oz)

      Advantage of Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 over Sigma sd Quattro H.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 vs Sigma sd Quattro H
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Native ISO 12,800 vs 6,400
      More Focus Points 23 vs 9
      Touch-to-Focus vs
      Touch Screen vs
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 60 sec vs 30 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 4.2 fps vs 3.8 fps
      Built-in Flash vs
      Speaker Mono vs
      Built-in Microphone Stereo vs
      Lighter 318 g (0.70 lb / 11.22 oz) vs 635 g (1.40 lb / 22.4 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1.

      Advantage of Sigma sd Quattro H

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sigma sd Quattro H over Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 vs Sigma sd Quattro H
      Larger Sensor Micro Four Thirds vs APS-H
      Higher Sensor Resolution 16 Megapixel vs 44.8 Megapixel
      Lower Native ISO 160 vs 100
      Max Image Resolution 4592 x 3448 vs 6200 x 4152
      Center Autofocus vs
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Higher Resolution Screen 460k dot vs 1,620k dot
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/160 sec vs 1/180 sec
      Higher USB Speed USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) vs USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 (5 GBit/sec)
      Environmental Sealing vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sigma sd Quattro H.

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 Sigma sd Quattro H
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        HDMI Output Mini Type C Mini
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 Sigma sd Quattro H
        Timelapse Recording
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 and Sigma sd Quattro H have 3.0" Fixed screens with 460k dot and 1,620k dot resolutions respectively. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 also features touchscreen which has advantages such as easy menu navigation, intuitive controls, quick setting adjustment and most importantly a Touch-to-Focus functionality allowing users to select a specific point on the screen where they want the camera to focus. This feature can be helpful for achieving precise focus in both photo and video recording.


      Viewfinder

      Sigma sd Quattro H has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 2,360k dot resolution. It has a 100% coverage and 1.09x (0.84x 35mm equivalent) magnification.Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 does not have a built-in viewfinder but an optional electronic viewfinder can be attached.

      Sensor

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 features a 16 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 224.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 160 - 12,800. Sigma sd Quattro H features a 44.8 megapixel APS-H CMOS (Foveon X3) sensor with dimensions of 26.6 x 17.9 mm and a total area of 320.4 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 is equipped with Venus Engine FHD processor and can take pictures up to 4592 x 3448 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4576 x 3056, 4576 x 2576, 3424 x 3424, 3232 x 2424, 3232 x 2160, 3232 x 1824, 2416 x 2416, 2272 x 1704, 2272 x 1520, 1920 x 1080, 1824 x 1368, 1824 x 1216, 1824 x 1024 , 1712 x 1712, 1712 x 1712 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Sigma sd Quattro H is equipped with Dual TRUE III processor and can take pictures up to 6200 x 4152 resolution.


      Lens Mount

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 has Micro Four Thirds lens mount and Sigma sd Quattro H has Sigma SA lens mount. Due to Micro Four Thirds sensor in Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 its crop factor is equal to 2x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 2. Due to APS-H sensor in Sigma sd Quattro H its crop factor is equal to 1.3x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.3.


      No Low-Pass Filter on Sigma sd Quattro H

      There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on Sigma sd Quattro H. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Sigma sd Quattro H nothing can be done. On Sigma sd Quattro H it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 has a Mini Type C HDMI and Sigma sd Quattro H has a Mini HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Sigma sd Quattro H comes with BP-61 battery pack.


      External Storage Slots

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot. Sigma sd Quattro H has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1, and up to 1/4000 sec on Sigma sd Quattro H. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 can shoot continuously up to 4.2 fps. Sigma sd Quattro H can shoot continuously up to 3.8 fps.


      Focusing

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 has 23 focusing points and Sigma sd Quattro H has 9 focusing points. Sigma sd Quattro H has detection range from -1 to +18 EV.


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Sigma sd Quattro H ranges from 0 to +17 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range. You can also do exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 and exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Sigma sd Quattro H.


      Flash

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 7.60 m and also accepts external flash. Sigma sd Quattro H has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 and 1/180 sec on Sigma sd Quattro H.

      Physical Parameters

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 body has dimensions of 116 x 68 x 39 mm (4.57 x 2.68 x 1.54") and Sigma sd Quattro H body has dimensions of 147 x 95 x 91 mm (5.79 x 3.74 x 3.58"). Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 weighs 318 g (0.70 lb / 11.22 oz) and Sigma sd Quattro H weighs 635 g (1.40 lb / 22.4 oz).

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      116 mm

      68 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      147 mm

      95 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      68 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      95 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      39 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      91 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      Size comparisons of Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 and Sigma sd Quattro H

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 and Sigma sd Quattro H for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      80
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      GOOD
      72
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.2 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      70
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,360k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.8 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.2 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,360k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.8 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      GOOD
      81
      •   Small Sensor
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      79
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      GOOD
      83
      •   Small Sensor
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 318 g (0.70 lb / 11.22 oz)
      GOOD
      81
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 635 g (1.40 lb / 22.4 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      GOOD
      83
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 318 g (0.70 lb / 11.22 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots
      GOOD
      84
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 635 g (1.40 lb / 22.4 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 and Sigma sd Quattro H and give them scores of 62 and 65 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      OVERALL
      62
      OVERALL
      65

      Sensor

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
      •   160 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 55
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   High Resolution Sensor - 44.8 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      AVERAGE
      55
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.2 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      AVERAGE
      66
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.8 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Video

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      BAD
      16
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization

      Focusing

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      GOOD
      75
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      EXCELLENT
      85
      •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      GOOD
      79
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      GOOD
      72
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,360k dot

      Connectivity

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      60
      •   High USB Speed
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

      Sigma sd Quattro H

      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 318 g (0.70 lb / 11.22 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots
      GOOD
      79
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 635 g (1.40 lb / 22.4 oz)


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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