Sony a9 Vs Panasonic GH5 – Which Should You go for?

This review has to do with the comparison between the Sony a9 vs Panasonic GH5. And this promises to be a comprehensive read.

However, if you are in a hurry and cannot go through the entire article, we recommend that you quickly scan the comparison overview and comparison table sections. They both contain information in concise sizes so it won’t take you time to go through it.

Nonetheless, we do recommend that you read through the entire article, especially if you’re new to photography. You could also check out some of our other comparisons like the Sony a9 vs a7SII comparison. Now, let’s get on with business.

Comparison Overview — Sony a9 Vs Panasonic GH5

Overall Review of the Sony a9 Vs Panasonic GH5

In our opinion, the 24-megapixel sensor resolution and large sensor pixel area of the Sony a9 is the major difference between the two cameras.

Although the Panasonic GH5 also has a good sensor resolution of 20 megapixels, its sensor pixel area is still inferior to that of the Sony a9.

In addition, the Sony a9 is the better camera in aspects of ISO (both high and low), continuous shooting rate and autofocus system.

However, the Panasonic GH5 is the superior of the two cameras in terms of video recording.  It has the better video resolution and also has the option of time-lapse recording as against the a9.

Which Has The Better Price-Value Ratio: Sony a9 Vs Panasonic GH5?

The Panasonic GH5 offers better value for its price than the Sony a9. The Sony a9 is a very good professional camera, no doubt; even clearly better than the GH5. However, it costs nearly 3 times the price of the GH5 — which, by the way, is a 4K DCI camera, among other things. So, yes, the a9 may be the better camera, but the GH5 has the better price-value ratio.

About The Brands

Sony

Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational company. It has a diversified business system which includes consumer and professional electronics, entertainment and gaming. The company also offers financial services.

Sony is one of the leading manufacturers of electronic products for both consumer and professional markets. It is a leading player in the film industry that has a reputation of producing standard products such as lenses and cameras.

Panasonic

Panasonic is a Japanese multinational company that specializes in the manufacture of electronic devices. They are one of the leading Japanese electronics producers alongside the likes of Sony, Canon, etc.

Panasonic manufactures electronics, semi-conductors and home appliances. They also offer non electronic services such as home renovation services. For the sake of this article, the company also produces cameras.

Comparison Table — Sony a9 Vs Panasonic GH5

	Sony a9	Panasonic GH5
Announcement Date	19-04-2017	04-01-2017
Body Type	SLR Style mirrorless	SLR Style mirrorless
Sensor Type	BSI-CMOS	CMOS
Sensor Size	Full frame	Four thirds
Max Sensor Resolution	24 MP	20 MP
Time-lapse Recording	None	Yes
Weight	673 grams	725 grams
Dimensions	(127 x 96 x 63)mm	(139 x 98 x 87)mm
ISO	100 to 51200 (expand to 50 – 204800)	200 – 25600 (expands to 100)
Continuous Shooting	20 Frames Per Second	12 Frames Per Second
Sensor Pixel Area	35.30 micro meter square	11.16 micro meter square
Near Field Communication Connection	Yes	None
Battery Life	650 shots	410 shots
LCD Screen Size	3”	3.2”
Max Native Light Sensitivity	51200 ISO	25600 ISO
Minimum Native Light Sensitivity	100 ISO	200 ISO
Min Boosted Light Sensitivity	50 ISO	100 ISO
Maximum Boosted Light Sensitivity	204800 ISO	None
AF Phase Detection	Yes	None
Max Resolution	6000 x 4000	5184 x 3888
Screen Resolution	1440k dots	1620k dots
Viewfinder Resolution	3686k dots	3680k dots
Viewfinder Magnification	0.78	0.76
Built-in Flash	None	None
Max Video Resolution	3840 x 2160	4096 x 2160
Number of Focus Points	225	693
4k photo mode	None	Yes
6k photo mode	None	Yes
Focus Stacking	No	Yes
Post Focus Mode	None	Yes
DxO Overall Score	92	77
DxO Color Depth	24.9	23.9
DxO Dynamic Range	13.3	13.0
Available Lenses	102	98
DxO Low Light ISO	3517	807

Comparison Video – Sony a9 Vs Panasonic GH5

Which Is Better Under What Circumstance? — Sony a9 Vs Panasonic GH5

Sony a9	Panasonic GH5
The Sony a9 camera is the better of the two cameras in the aspect of imaging. This is evidenced by its sensor resolution, ISO and continuous shooting.	The Panasonic GH5 is the better camera for video coverage. This is evidenced by its impressive video resolution and the fact it can time-lapse record.
Its superiority in high and low ISO ratings also make this camera the better option for shooting in dark places.	The Panasonic GH5 camera also has the faster data transfer when it comes to USB transfer. The reason for this is that the camera supports USB protocol 3.1 as against the USB protocol 2.0 in the Sony a9 camera.
If for some reason you need the option that can hold in the charge for longer, this is it.	The Panasonic GH5 is also the preferred choice when the photographer has to shoot at a low frequency. The camera’s in built intervalometer allows for some creative shooting.
The Sony a9 is also the preferred option when the photographer has to use larger prints or crop more without distorting the quality of the image. The feature responsible for this is the 24 megapixels’ resolution of the camera.	The Panasonic GH5 camera is the more affordable of the two cameras. This makes it the preferred option for people who are faced with the two choices but have limited resources.
The Sony a9 is also the best bet for the photographer of the two cameras when such a photographer wants to shoot comfortably in an environment that involves fast moving objects. Its 20 frames per second shooting rating is responsible for this.	The Panasonic GH5, is the better of the two cameras when it comes to taking selfie. The fact the camera has a fully articulated screen that can be turned to front-face the photographer is responsible for this.

Common Features — Sony a9 Vs Panasonic GH5

The following are things that make the Sony a9 and the Panasonic GH5 similar:

i. Environmental sealing

ii. Weight

iii. Viewfinder

iv. Built-in Wi-Fi

v. Image stabilization

vi. Articulating screen

vii. External flash hot shoe

viii. Touch screen

ix. Sensor resolution

x. Face detection focus

xi. RAW support

xii. Microphone port

xiii. Bluetooth

xiv. UHS memory card support

xv. Auto exposure bracketing

xvi. Dual axis electronic level

xvii. Smartphone remote control

xviii. Continuous shooting

xix. Headphone port

xx. Shutter speed

We will now look at each of them individually…

1. Environmental Sealing

Environmental sealing involves the protection of the internal (and delicate) parts of a camera from adverse weather elements such as moisture, humidity and dust.

A camera that is weather sealed stands the chance of lasting longer than a camera that isn’t as the absence of this feature could lead to the damage of all or part of a camera.

2. Weight

The Sony a9 camera weighs 673 grams while the Panasonic GH5 weighs 725 grams. Regardless of the 52-gram difference, we are of the opinion that the two cameras are heavy.

The weight could make it unsuitable for photography work when going on vacations or long walks.

3. Viewfinder

The Sony a9 and Panasonic GH5 cameras both have viewfinders. A viewfinder is the component of a camera (more like a preview window) that is used to frame, focus on the image, and display exposure settings or meter information.

Viewfinders can also help to achieve better stability of the camera (when framing) as they allow the user hold the camera closer to his or her body when capturing images.

Both the Sony a9 camera and the Panasonic GH5 camera both have electronic viewfinders and an almost identical viewfinder resolution (3686k dots on the A9 and 3680k dots on the Panasonic GH5). 

The presence of the viewfinder on these two cameras plays a part in their relevance in the aspect of street and sports photography.

4. Wireless Connection

Another similarity between the two cameras is the presence of Wi-Fi option. This allows the cameras establish a stable connection with the internet. Which in turn allows them to connect or share files with a lot of people at the same time.

With in-built wireless connection, the use of wires, cables or ports for transfer of files is not needed.

The wireless connection also affords you the opportunity to safely upload your files and save them in online internet clouds (storage platforms).

5. Image Stabilization

The purpose of an image stabilizer is to avoid having blurry pictures when framing. These blurry pictures are mostly associated with the shaking of the camera lens. And the possible consequence of the absence of this feature is the reduction in image quality.

Well, there are optical stabilization lenses that could take of this problem, we think it is better to have image stabilization built into the camera seeing as it comes at no extra cost.

6. Articulating Screen

The availability of this option on the cameras make it easier for the photographers to be more creative when framing as it allows them some flexibility in terms of positions and all.

It is worthy to note that the Sony a9’s screen is not fully articulated while the Panasonic GH5’s screen is fully articulated (it is actually front-facing). This difference can be overlooked though as it only comes in handy in the aspect of selfie pictures.

7. External Flash Hot Shoe

The external flash, of course, does better than a built-in flash (which is absent on the two cameras). One of such reasons is the fact that the external flash allows for more creativity when shooting. The reason for this is the adjustable head of the external flash.

This adjustable head allows the photographer bounce light around in a more flexible and creative way which in turn helps to achieve better quality pictures and softer lighting.

With the external flash, the photographer gets to cover more range as the intensity of its flash is higher. One gets to brighten the entire image using the external flash as opposed to the built-in flash that is shorthanded when it comes to intensity.

8. Touch Screen

Generally, this feature allows the user (photographer) to navigate through the camera easily; whether it is to change settings or preview photos.

9. Sensor Resolution

Another similarity between the two cameras is the fact that they both have good sensor resolutions. Sensor resolution largely determines the quality of the (image) that will be produced by the camera.

The Sony a9 camera has a brand new stacked BSI full-frame 24 megapixel sensor and a high speed BIONZ X processor. This particular sensor type can achieve readout speeds that are 20 times faster than any of Sony’s previous full frame sensor models.

On the other hand, the Panasonic GH5 camera has a newly designed 20 megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor which lacks an anti-aliasing filter. The absence of the anti-aliasing filter provides a small improvement in resolution for the camera when compared with previous Micro Four Thirds sensors.

As a result of the two cameras’ good sensor resolution, the users of either camera can use larger prints without fear. They also have the liberty of cropping pictures to their desired sizes without destroying the quality of the original image.

10. Face Detection

The face detection feature on cameras helps the photographer to automatically set the right focus and exposure level for a picture.

Cameras with this feature can automatically detect up to 10 human faces at once when set in this mode.

When the photographer uses this feature, he or she is able to avoid the red eye effect in their pictures (when using flash).

The reason for this is that face detection helps to automatically correct or remove the unwanted red-eye effect that occurs when practicing flash photography (with the aid of external flash in this case).

11. RAW Support

Shooting in RAW format allows the camera to record all the data captured by the sensor. And this format is better than the JPEG format.

This format helps you record files in their best quality which in turn, gives you the freedom to edit the pictures to get the best possible quality that suits you.

With the JPEG format, the camera solely decides what the final image looks like. In fact, this final image is in its compressed form.

When shooting RAW, you also get to record higher levels of brightness (higher than what is obtainable in the JPEG format). It is a known fact in photography that the higher the level of brightness of an image, the smoother the transitions of tones.

12. Microphone Port

Knowing fully well that the built-in microphones on cameras do not allow for the best quality sounds, the need for a reliable medium of voice capture (which the external microphone usually is) cannot be overstated.

13. Bluetooth

Unlike the Wi-Fi connection, Bluetooth does not require internet connection for file share. In fact, it is a superior alternative to the Near Field Communication connection in that it is faster and its connection can still be seen over a longer distance.

14. UHS Memory Card Support

The Sony a9 and the Panasonic Gh5 cameras are compatible with UHS (Ultra-High Speeds) II memory cards.

This kind of memory cards helps the photographer to read or write on it at very high speeds. It is important to note that UHS cards are best used with devices that are compatible with them.

15. Auto Exposure Bracketing

Auto exposure bracketing in digital photography is a technique that allows the photographer take several shots of the same image albeit with different exposure settings.

The Sony a9 allows the photographer shoot three pictures when in this mode while the Panasonic GH5 affords the photographer more freedom by allowing him or her have options of shooting three, five or seven shots as they deem fit.

Both the Sony a9 and the Panasonic GH5 can also, by virtue of this mode, be used to carry out some creative form of shooting. This is so because we have seen photographers use underexposed or overexposed images to reveal interesting artistic looks in the past.

This mode helps present the photographer the opportunity to select the best exposed pictures of the three images obtained.  It also allows the photographer obtain quality imaging in tough light conditions.

16. Dual Axis Electronic Level

The dual axis electronic feature is basically used to ascertain if a camera is properly aligned or not. In essence, the dual axis electronic feature is able to indicate an alignment level for both pitch and roll within the viewfinder and on the rear LCD screen.

This feature comes in particularly handy in the aspect of landscape photography as it allows the photographers establish level horizons. It is also important for photographers that shoot or record with tilting or shift lenses.

This feature also comes in handy in lowly lit areas where it is difficult to see reference points that specify how leveled a horizon is. This helps to achieve better imaging in such a situation as it helps to level the camera even in this unfavorable condition.

17. Smartphone Remote Control

The presence of smartphone remote control on a camera means that the camera can be operated using smartphones (that are compatible with it).  

This setting is made possible when the two cameras are connected with the smartphones over an internet network (usually wireless). 

Once the connection is established, the photographer can then navigate through the various settings on this camera with the help of his or her smartphone. With the help of the camera app installed on the same smartphone, the user can have the privilege of capturing and access the images using the smartphone.

18. Continuous Shooting

Continuous shooting also referred to as burst or sports mode has to do with the capture of different images in quick succession in just one second when the shutter is triggered by the photographer.

Continuous shooting is a high speed mode that is mostly required when one is shooting in an environment where there are fast moving subjects e.g. football match, the great outdoors etc.

This mode ensures that the photographer does not miss out any detail (mostly unanticipated moments) in these fast paced environments.

The Sony a9 has a continuous shooting rate of 20 frames per second while the Panasonic GH5 has a continuous shooting rate of 12 frames per second.

With these ratings we can see that the Sony a9 can shoot up to 20 frames per second (hi), 10 fps (mid) and 5 fps with continuous auto focus while the Panasonic GH5 camera can manage up to 12 fps in single auto focus and 9 fps in continuous auto focus.

19. Headphone Port

External headphones are a plus to the photographer especially in the aspect of audio monitoring. This way, the photographer gets to evaluate the quality of the sound that is recorded using the different microphones on the camera.

20. Shutter Speed

The Sony a9 and Panasonic GH5 both have good shutter speeds. Shutter speed is the unit of measurement that determines the period of time for which the shutter of a camera will remain open when the photographer is capturing an image.

Worthy of mention is the fact that the photographer should use a high ISO when shooting using this mode. The reason for this is that less light gets to the sensor of the camera when using this particular setting. Shooting at high ISO when using this mode helps to obtain images that are properly exposed.

The Sony a9 and the Panasonic GH5 have a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000 second. This shutter speed is high class and does a better job of freezing movements of fast moving objects than the previous models of the Sony and Panasonic cameras.

Although the Sony a9 and the Panasonic GH5 cameras have same value in terms of shutter speed, the Sony a9 has a higher top electronic shutter speed than the Panasonic GH5 (1/16000 to 1/32000s).

This good shutter speed of the two cameras is responsible, in part, for their relevance in photography aspects such as sports, wildlife and street photography.

A Sony a9 Demonstration Video

Unique Features — Sony a9 Vs Panasonic GH5

Which does better in video mode: a9 or GH5?

The Sony a9 and the Panasonic GH5 are actually good cameras for recording videos as they both can record 4k videos. However, there are some differences between them that cannot be overlooked. First is that the Panasonic GH5 camera shoots 4K DCI while the a9 shoots 4K UHD. This means that the GH5 has the better video resolution (4096 x 2160 vs 3840 x 2160). Secondly, the Panasonic GH5 camera can record videos in ultra-high resolution at 150mbps.  The Panasonic GH5 camera can record 4k videos at a frame rate of 60 fps. It can also record 6k videos at a frame rate of 24fps.

Another point in favor of the Panasonic GH5 camera is that it can record 4k videos at 30 or 60 frames per second comfortably for an unlimited period of time. The same cannot be said of the Sony a9 which can only record 4k videos for a duration of 30 minutes maximum.

Which is better in low light: a9 or GH5?

The Sony a9 has an ISO range of 100 – 51200, while the Panasonic GH5 has an ISO range of 200 – 25600. ISOs indicate the level of the sensitivity of the camera’s sensor. High ISOs are usually employed when the photographer has to shoot in areas that are poorly lit. The higher the ISO rating, the higher the rate at which the camera’s sensor is exposed to light and the more the finer grain in the shots you are taking.

Which has more focus points: a9 or GH5?

The Sony a9 has 693 autofocus points while the Panasonic GH5 has 225. And this is one of the things that make the Sony a9 better than the Panasonic GH5 in the aspect of sports photography. Autofocus points, as we know them, are the eyes of a photographer with which they focus the camera on a targeted image. The photographer using the Sony a9 is more likely to get a more precise shot easily than the photographer using the Panasonic GH5.

Which has the better low light ISO: a9 or GH5?

The Sony a9 camera has a low light ISO rating of 3517 while the Panasonic GH5 has a low ISO rating of 807. This means that the Sony a9 is the better of the two cameras in overly lit environments. Low light ISO is mostly required when a photographer wants to frame in an area that is excessively exposed. The over exposure of the environment could lead to difficulty in obtaining an image of good quality.

This is the where the low light ISO comes in as it helps to balance the exposure level of the environment. That in turn makes it easier to obtain quality images.

Which has the larger sensor pixel area: a9 or GH5?

The Sony a9 has a sensor pixel area of 35.30 micro squared meter while the Panasonic GH5 camera has a sensor pixel area of 11.16 micro squared meter. The sensor pixel area plays a part in the determination of the final image quality as cameras with larger sensors tend to give better imaging quality. The above given rating shows that the Sony a9 dwarfs the Panasonic GH5 in this aspect. As a result of this, we can conclude that the Sony a9 (which already possesses a better sensor resolution) will give an image with a better quality than the Panasonic GH5.

Which comes with near field communication: a9 or GH5?

The near field communication feature is present in the Sony a9 but absent in the Panasonic GH5. Near field communication is used to transfer files between the camera and other devices using the principle of magnetic field induction, such that just by bringing both devices closely together, a connection is created. NFC acts as an alternative or back up plan to the built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on the Sony a9.

However, it is important to note that NFC connection has a limitation in terms of coverage area. This is the reason why the devices to which the camera wants to transfer files must be brought in close proximity with the camera.

Which has the longer lasting battery: a9 or GH5?

The Sony a9 camera has a battery life of 650 shots per full charge, while the Panasonic GH5 can only take 410 shots per full charge. 

A Panasonic GH5 Demonstration Video

Unique Pros — Sony a9 Vs Panasonic GH5

Pros of the Sony a9

1. First off, the Sony a9 has the better sensor resolution vs the Panasonic GH5.
2. The Sony a9 camera has the larger viewfinder as a result of its higher magnification (0.78x vs the 0.76x rating of the Panasonic GH5).  
3. Furthermore, the Sony a9 has a few more lenses available to it than the Panasonic GH5 camera. The Sony a9 has 102 lenses compared to the 98 lenses of the Panasonic GH5.
4. The Sony a9 has the better image quality as it scores substantially higher vs the Panasonic GH5 in the DXO overall evaluation.
5. Furthermore, the Sony a9 camera has the better low light performance.
6. The Sony a9 camera has the Near Field Communication connection (which is absent in the Panasonic GH5 camera).
7. Furthermore, the Sony a9 camera has a good low ISO rating. This helps to improve the performance of the camera in environments that are overly lit.
8. The Sony a9 camera comes with an anti-alias filter. This filter ensures that the photographer does not obtain artificial patterns in their images when capturing images.
9. The Sony a9 camera has the large sensor pixel area of the two cameras. This feature is responsible in part for the good quality of the images shot with this camera.
10.  In addition, the Sony a9 camera has the better continuous shooting rate of the two cameras.
11. The Sony a9 camera can last longer than the Panasonic GH5 camera.
12. In addition, the Sony a9 camera has a better auto focus system than the Panasonic GH5 camera. The Sony a9 camera has 693 focus points as opposed to the 225 focus points in the Panasonic GH5.
13. Lastly, the Sony a9 camera can be conveniently charged through its USB port.

Pros of the Panasonic GH5

1. To start with, the Panasonic GH5 camera has the bigger screen resolution of the two cameras. This allows the photographer see the settings in a bigger and better way.
2. The Panasonic GH5 also has a faster data transfer than the Panasonic GH5 camera. This is so because the camera supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.1 v 2.0).
3. The Panasonic GH5 camera has a fully articulated screen that makes it suitable for taking selfie pictures.
4. The Panasonic GH5 provides higher movie frame rates than the Sony a9 (4k/60p to 4k/30p).
5. Also, the Panasonic GH5 camera has an inbuilt intervalometer which allows the photographer to carry out low frequency shooting.
6. The Panasonic GH5 camera has the better video resolution of the two cameras.
7. Also, the Panasonic GH5 camera has time-lapse recording option that allows the photographer get creative when shooting.
8. The Panasonic GH5 camera can shift the focus point when taking multiple photos. In other words, the camera can focus bracket.
9. In addition, the Panasonic GH5 is the more affordable of the two cameras.
10. Lastly, the Panasonic GH5 camera does not have the anti-alias filter. This allows the photographer exploit the sensor resolution of the camera to its fullest potential.

Unique Cons — Sony a9 Vs Panasonic GH5

Cons of the Sony a9

1. The Sony a9 camera, unlike the Panasonic GH5, does not have the 4k and 6K photo mode. This makes it impossible to extract photos from video footages.
2. In addition, the Sony a9 camera has an inferior burst speed to the Panasonic GH5 in video mode. This reduces the speed at which the photographer frames.
3. The Sony a9 camera is unable to carry out focus bracketing. This deprives the photographer the opportunity to shift focus points when bracketing.
4. Also, the Sony a9 camera lacks a time lapse recording mode. This makes it hard to carry out low frequency shooting.
5. Lastly, the Sony a9 camera has no post focus mode. This makes it impossible for the photographer to change focus point after taking a shot.

Cons of the Panasonic GH5

1. The Panasonic GH5 camera has no real time animal eye auto focus tracking as opposed to the Sony a9. This makes it harder for users to lock in on animals when carrying out wildlife biography.
2. The Panasonic GH5 camera has a battery that doesn’t last as long as that of the Sony a9.
3. Also, the Panasonic GH5 camera has a lower continuous shooting rate than the Sony a9.
4. The Panasonic GH5 camera has a focus system that is inferior to that of the Sony a9 camera.
5. Also, the Panasonic GH5 camera has a lesser sensor pixel area than that of the Sony a9. This might have an adverse effect on the overall imaging of the camera.
6. Lastly, the Panasonic GH5 camera has no Near Field Communication connection.

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Common Pros — Sony a9 Vs Panasonic GH5

	Sony a9	Panasonic GH5
Image Stabilization	The Sony a9 camera has the image stabilization feature. This ensures that all the lenses are adequately stabilized.	Same as the Sony a9.
Bluetooth Connection	The Sony a9 camera can connect to other devices through bluetooth.	Same as the Sony a9.
Continuous shooting	The Sony a9 camera has a good continuous shooting rating. This makes it easier to obtain better shots in one click of the shutter.	Same as the Sony a9. The only difference is that the Panasonic GH5 has a continuous rating of 12 frames per second as opposed to the 20 frames per second rate of the Sony a9.
External Flash	With the external flash, the photographer can practice flash photography effectively.	Same as the Sony a9.
Face Detection Focus	This feature makes it possible for the camera to detect human faces automatically when framing.	Same as the Sony a9
Auto Exposure Bracketing	This feature helps to solve the dilemma of choosing the right exposure for different situations.	Same as the Sony a9.
Screen Resolution	The 3 inch screen ensures that the information shown on the camera’s screen are clearly seen	Same as the Sony a9.
Inbuilt Wireless Connection	This helps upload and send files to other devices easily.	Same as the Sony a9.
Tilting Screen	The Sony a9 camera has a screen that can be tilted or rotated.	Same as the Sony a9. The only difference is that the Panasonic GH5 camera has a fully articulated screen.
RAW Support	This helps the photographer edit pictures without experiencing a dip in image quality.	Same as the Sony a9.
Shutter Speed	The Sony a9 camera has a good shutter speed at 1/8000 second. This makes it easy to capture fast moving objects.	Same as the Sony a9.
Sensor Resolution	Its 24 mega pixel resolution makes it easy to use larger prints.	Same as the Sony a9. The only difference is that the Panasonic GH5 has a sensor resolution of 20 megapixel.
Microphone Port	This helps the photographer get the best quality in terms of audio.	Same as the Sony a9.
Touch screen	This feature makes it easy to navigate through the cameras without having to use the buttons.	Same as the Sony a9.
Dual Axis Electronic level	The Sony a9 camera has the dual axis electronic level. This helps to keep the camera levelled at all times.	Same as the Sony a9.
Smartphone Remote Control	The Sony a9 camera can be operated using a smartphone device. It allows for the convenient use of the camera.	Same as the Sony a9.
Video Resolution	The Sony a9 camera has a very good video performance. The camera which has a video resolution of 3840 by 2160 video resolution which allows the photographer record quality videos.	Same as the Sony a9. The only difference is that the Panasonic GH5 has a better resolution of 4096 by 2160.
Environmental Sealing	The Sony a9 camera has a body that is environmentally sealed. Environmentally sealed cameras have their parts protected   against harsh environmental conditions like dust, rain, snow. It helps to ensure the longevity of cameras	Same as the Sony a9.
Viewfinder	The Sony a9 camera has an electronic viewfinder. This makes framing easier on the camera. It also helps the photographer control what he wants to include in the final image while framing.	Same as the Sony a9.
UHS Memory cards	The Sony a9 camera supports the use of UHS-II memory cards. This helps to read or write in very high speed.	Same as the Sony a9.
Storage Slots	The Sony a9 camera has 2 storage slots. This ensures that the photographer has enough space to record their files.	Same as the Sony a9.
Headphone Port	This helps the photographer ascertain or evaluate the quality of sound in videos when recording.	Same as the Sony a9.

Common Cons — Sony a9 Vs Panasonic GH5

	Sony a9	Panasonic GH5
Built-in Flash	The Sony a9 camera does not have a built in flash. The absence of this flash type means one has to spend extra bucks to purchase the external flash before such a person can get to carry out flash photography.	Same as the Sony a9.
Weight	With a weight of 673 grams, the camera is not exactly compact for a mirrorless camera.	Same as the Sony a9. The only difference is that the Panasonic GH5 weighs more than the Sony a9 (725 grams).

What People Think — Sony a9 Vs Panasonic GH5

Sony a9	Panasonic GH5
The Sony a9 has received positive reviews from users. Firstly, a good number of users are blown away by the stunning sensor resolution of the Sony a9. This, they say, helps guarantee that the output image is of a high quality. Secondly, many photographers are happy with the fact that the camera has a good autofocus system. Some are still in awe of the fact that the camera has 693 autofocus points. Thirdly, users seem to love the fact that the camera has varying mediums of transfer. Fourthly, users love that the camera can be used to record quality 4K videos. In addition, users like the fact that the Sony a9 has good ergonomics. A user pointed out that the camera has a better grip than other Sony cameras. Lastly, the users love the fact that the camera performs really well in different light situation.	The Panasonic GH5 has also gotten very good reviews from users. To start with, people like the fact that the camera has image stabilization. Some users mentioned that the image stabilization feature helps them to shoot at occasions such as wedding anniversaries holding their cameras with hand all through. Secondly, the users also seem to love the fact that the camera has a dual memory card space. The professional users mentioned that they love how the storage card switches from one to another automatically when one SD card gets filled up. Thirdly, some users love the fact that the camera can be used to take selfies as a result of its fully articulated screen. A good number of users also love the fact that the camera has high frame rates when it comes to videography. They are in love with the video capabilities of this camera. In addition, some users feel the camera is a steal at its price. They say it is too sophisticated. Many photographers also love the fact that the camera has a good sensor resolution. This helps them to obtain high quality images.
The major complaint that photographers have concerning the Sony a9 is the fact that the camera is pricey. A lot of people would love to have it, but the price is a challenge.	The major complaint that photographers have concerning the Panasonic GH5 is the fact that the camera has a not so good battery life. This, they say, sometimes reduce their productivity.

Our Take — Sony a9 Vs Panasonic GH5

Sony a9

Panasonic GH5

We consider this camera an excellent camera for photographers of different levels. We love the fact that the camera has a good sensor resolution. We love the fact that the camera has a very good continuous shooting rating. This helps to obtain quality images when practicing still photography. The camera also has the better battery life of the two cameras. It can be used as a sole battery by the occasional and mid-level photographers. The Sony a9 is our preferred choice of the two cameras in the aspects of portrait, sports, landscape, street and daily photography.

The Panasonic GH5 is also a decent pro level camera. We are fascinated by its top notch features. We like that the camera can take quality 4k videos. This camera captures 4k videos at fast frame rates. We also love the fact that camera has the option of extracting pictures from videos. It is worthy to note that these extracted images are also of good quality. This camera is easily our preferred choice for carrying out video operations.

Sony a9 Vs Panasonic GH5 — FAQs

Is the Panasonic GH5 good for photography?

The Panasonic GH5 is a good camera and will be a good fit for many different forms of photography. First of all, it has a 1.620k dots screen resolution, and has 4K as well as 6K photo mode. It also has a really great focus system, so, you are sure images will be as clear as possible.

The GH5 is compatible with external flashes and off-camera flashes, so, it is great for flash photography. Its weather sealing and electronic viewfinder makes it great for outdoor photography. Add its good focus system and 12 frames per second continuous shooting speed to those two and it becomes a great camera for sports and wildlife photography.

What is the difference between the Panasonic GH5 and GH5s?

	Panasonic GH5	Panasonic GH5s
Maximum sensor resolution	20 megapixels	10 mega pixels
Image stabilization	Yes	No
Battery capacity	410 shots per full charge	440 shots per full charge
Time-lapse	Yes	No
6K photo mode	Yes	No
Camera weight	725 grams	660 grams
ISO range	100 – 25600	160 – 51200 (further expandable to 204800)

Is the Panasonic GH5 weather sealed?

The Panasonic GH5 is a weather sealed camera. What this means that it has a protection on its body which will prevent it from getting damaged by weather components like rain and humidity.

For a professional camera, this is a very necessary feature as you would not like the weather to dictate when you can and cannot shoot. As a matter of fact, sometimes you may even need to shoot under extreme weather conditions, especially in filmmaking, wildlife, or sports photography.

Is the Panasonic GH5 a professional camera?

The Panasonic GH5 is a professional camera and you can easily tell by looking at its price tag. This camera costs over a thousand dollars and really, only professional cameras cost that much.

But well, primarily, it is a professional camera because it was designed to meet the needs of professional photographers, and it does that really well. It takes great photos, has excellent wireless connectivity, and it is just incredible in video mode. It is really a camera for just the pros.

Also, it is not a very easy camera to use, so, if you don’t have prior knowledge of photography, you would have to stay away from this one; it is not the one to start out with.

Is the Panasonic GH5 good for filmmaking?

The Panasonic GH5 is, in fact, great for filmmaking. It does not just shoot 4K, it shoots 4K DCI (digital cinema initiatives) which is what is prominent in the movie industry. Basically, if you will be making films for the big screen, the GH5 is a good camera to shoot with. And, in case you were wondering, yes, this 4K quality is superior to the standard 4K UHD.

Also, your audio can be just as excellent as your visuals as the Panasonic GH5 is compatible with both external microphones and headphones. Therefore, you can record crisp, noise-free audio with a good external microphone and monitor/regulate it in the process with good headphones.

Does the Sony a9 have wireless connectivity?

The Sony a9 has three provisions for wireless connectivity. It comes with built-in Wi-Fi which lets you create a wireless connection and transfer files with ease. And perhaps, even easier, is the one touch wireless connection you can create with a compatible device nearby thanks to the near field communication feature it also comes with.

To cap it all off, the a9 also comes with good old Bluetooth which you can still use to do a wireless transfer of files even when the camera’s battery is too low for Wi-Fi to operate.