Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 II vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VA — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Bridge · 20 MP · 1" · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 II
54
SCORE
|
Sony · Bridge · 20 MP · 1" · 4K video
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VA
59
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 II and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VA are both fixed-lens bridge cameras that differ sharply in body size. The Panasonic is the full bridge camera at 136 x 97 x 132 mm and 808 g. The Sony measures 102 x 58 x 41 mm and weighs 299 g, about 63 percent lighter, so it fits where the Panasonic cannot. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2019 | 2018 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 18, 2019 | July 13, 2018 |
| Camera type |  Bridge | Bridge |
| Camera size | 136 x 97 x 132 mm | 102 x 58 x 41 mm |
| Camera weight | 808 g | 299 g |
| Optics | 61/100 | 64/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe RX100 VA is the stronger choice for action coverage and off-centre focus placement. Its 315 autofocus points, against the FZ1000 II's 49, give far more positions for focusing away from the middle of the frame. It also shoots at up to 24 fps, twice the Panasonic's 12 fps, for denser burst coverage. The FZ1000 II answers with a 1/4000 second shutter, a shorter exposure than the Sony's 1/2000 for wide apertures in bright daylight. The core optics are shared, with both using 20 MP 1-inch CMOS sensors and in-body stabilisation. Both share a native ISO range of 125 to 12800, though only the Panasonic's expanded setting reaches 25600. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20 MP050 | 20 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5472 x 3648 | 5472 x 3648 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13.2 x 8.8 | 13.2 x 8.8 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
1" | 1" |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
12 fps045 | 24 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fixed | Fixed |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Venus Engine | Bionz X |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
12530200 | 12530200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
8030200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 200080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
490300 | 3150300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 83/100 | 77/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe RX100 VA is the better pick for slow-motion work, with frame rates up to 120 fps against the Panasonic's 60. Fast sport or splashing water stretches to half speed far more smoothly. Both cameras record up to 4K, so the maximum resolution is shared. For time-lapse shooting, the FZ1000 II has a built-in interval timer the Sony lacks. The Sony offers more recording-format choice, saving in XAVC S and AVCHD alongside MPEG-4. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 120 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
| Features | 41/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe RX100 VA offers a touch screen for tapping focus and settings, and its LCD shows 1,228,800 dots against the Panasonic's 921,000 for finer playback detail. The FZ1000 II counters with support for an external flash, useful for bounce lighting. The rear screens are otherwise shared, with both 3-inch TFT LCDs flipping out for waist-level or overhead framing. Both cameras have built-in flash and Wi-Fi for wireless transfer, and neither offers GPS or weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | No |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
No |  Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 12288001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 35/100 | 13/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe FZ1000 II is the better choice for a long day out, rated at 360 shots against the RX100 VA's 220. It supports USB charging, so a power bank can top it up between locations. Both cameras have a single memory card slot, so neither offers in-camera backup. Each accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, and the Sony additionally takes Memory Stick Duo media. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC , Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | DMW-BLC12 | NP-BX1 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
360 shots1505000 | 220 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | No |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VA if pocket carry and speed dominate. It suits a jacket pocket, off-centre subjects with its 315 autofocus points, 24 fps bursts of pets or children, and 120 fps slow motion.
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 II for a full bridge body, bounce-lighting flash work, built-in time-lapse, and a 360-shot battery rating for travel. Its 1/4000 second shutter also suits wide apertures in bright light.