Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

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      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1, 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.

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 was introduced in July 2008 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 was introduced in December 2013. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 Highlights

      • 10.2 MP APS-C CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points
      • Image Stabilization
      • 2.7" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 Highlights

      • 16 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
      • 200 - 25,600 Native ISO
      • 23 Focus Points (23 Cross-type)
      • 3.0" 1,036k dot Fixed Screen
      • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-in Flash
      • Built-In Wi-Fi

      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 Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1.

      PROS

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Cheap
      •   Video Capture
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   Light - 204 g (0.45 lb / 7.20 oz)

      CONS

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.2 Megapixel
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No 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
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Small Sensor
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/500 sec
      •   Low Flash Sync Speed - 1/50 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 230 shots


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

      AVERAGE

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 63
      •   Weight - 572 g (1.26 lb / 20.18 oz)
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,036k dot
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Electronic) - 1/16000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   DxO Overall Score - 66

      Advantage of Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 over Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1.

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1
      Larger Sensor APS-C vs Micro Four Thirds
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 200
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Image Stabilization Sensor Shift vs
      Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) vs
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/4000 sec vs 1/500 sec
      External Flash Connectivity vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony Alpha DSLR-A200.

      Advantage of Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 over Sony Alpha DSLR-A200.

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Sensor Resolution 10.2 Megapixel vs 16 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 3,200 vs 25,600
      Max Image Resolution 3872 x 2592 vs 4592 x 3448
      Timelapse Recording vs
      More Focus Points 9 vs 23
      Touch-to-Focus vs
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Touch Screen vs
      Larger Screen 2.7" vs 3.0"
      Higher Resolution Screen 230k dot vs 1,036k dot
      Live View vs
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 30 sec vs 60 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
      Multi-Segment Metering vs
      Center Weighted Metering vs
      Spot Metering vs
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 521 vs 660
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 11.3 vs 11.7
      Higher DxO Overall Score 63 vs 66
      HDMI Output vs Micro Type D
      Built-in Microphone vs Stereo
      Built-In Wi-Fi vs
      Lighter 572 g (1.26 lb / 20.18 oz) vs 204 g (0.45 lb / 7.20 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1.

      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 Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1
        Built-in Flash
      WEAKNESSES Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 has a 2.7" screen with 230k dot resolution and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 has a 3.0" screen with 1,036k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 also features touchscreen which has advantages such as easy menu navigation, intuitive controls, quick setting adjustment and most importantly a Touch-to-Focus functionality (available only on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1) 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.


      Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder on Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. It has a 95% coverage and 0.83x (0.55x 35mm equivalent) magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1.

      Sensor

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 features a 10.2 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.8 mm and a total area of 372.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 features a 16 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 169 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 25,600 and expands to 125 - 25,600 in boosted mode.


      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

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 can take pictures up to 3872 x 2592 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3872 x 2176, 2896 x 1936, 2896 x 1632, 1920 x 1280, 1920 x 1088. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 can take pictures up to 4592 x 3448 resolution.


      Lens Mount

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 has Sony A lens mount and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 has Micro Four Thirds lens mount. Due to APS-C sensor in Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 its crop factor is equal to 1.5x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5. Due to Micro Four Thirds sensor in Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 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.


      In-Body Image Stabilization on Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 has a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      Built-in Wi-Fi on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 has a built-in Wi-Fi which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
        Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.


      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      External Storage Slots

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 has a single Compact Flash (Type I/II) card slot. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 has Electronically controlled Vertical-traverse Focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Sony Alpha DSLR-A200, and up to 1/16000 sec with electronic shutter and up to 1/500 sec with mechanical shutter on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1. Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 and 4.00 m on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1. Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 also accepts external flash which can be connected via Proprietary Hot Shoe (compatible with Minolta and select Sony flashes). The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/50 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1.

      Physical Parameters

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 body has dimensions of 131 x 99 x 71 mm (5.16 x 3.9 x 2.8") and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 body has dimensions of 99 x 55 x 30 mm (3.88 x 2.16 x 1.2"). Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 weighs 572 g (1.26 lb / 20.18 oz) and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 weighs 204 g (0.45 lb / 7.20 oz).

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

      131 mm

      99 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      99 mm

      55 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      99 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      55 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      71 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      30 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      Size comparisons of Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 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

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      71
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,036k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

      AVERAGE
      60
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,036k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 230 shots

      Wildlife Photography

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

      AVERAGE
      59
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,036k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 230 shots

      Portrait Photography

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

      GOOD
      76
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      75
      •   Small Sensor
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,036k dot
      •   Low Flash Sync Speed - 1/50 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Street Photography

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

      GOOD
      80
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 572 g (1.26 lb / 20.18 oz)
      GOOD
      84
      •   Small Sensor
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,036k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 204 g (0.45 lb / 7.20 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

      GOOD
      81
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 572 g (1.26 lb / 20.18 oz)
      EXCELLENT
      85
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,036k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 204 g (0.45 lb / 7.20 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 230 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 and give them scores of 57 and 62 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.


      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

      OVERALL
      57
      OVERALL
      62

      Sensor

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

      GOOD
      70
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 63
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 66

      Photo

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

      GOOD
      71
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      POOR
      51
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/500 sec
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Electronic) - 1/16000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Low Flash Sync Speed - 1/50 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

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

      Focusing

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

      GOOD
      71
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      GOOD
      76
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      GOOD
      74
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,036k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

      POOR
      40
      •   No 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
      GOOD
      78
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 572 g (1.26 lb / 20.18 oz)
      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 204 g (0.45 lb / 7.20 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 230 shots


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

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