Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16.05 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6
48
SCORE
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1
48
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 are both 2013 Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras for very different uses. The G6 is the larger body, measuring 122 x 85 x 71 mm and weighing 390 g. The GM1 measures 99 x 55 x 30 mm and weighs 204 g, which is 186 g lighter, so it is by far the smaller camera to pack and carry. Their shared Micro 4/3 mount means lenses bought for either body work on the other, so one lens collection can serve both camera sizes. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2013 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
April 24, 2013 | October 17, 2013 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 122 x 85 x 71 mm | 99 x 55 x 30 mm |
| Camera weight | 390 g | 204 g |
| Optics | 47/100 | 48/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe G6 is the stronger choice for eye-level composition in bright light. It offers a built-in electronic viewfinder with 1,440,000 dots, while the GM1 has no viewfinder at all and relies entirely on its rear screen. On a sunny beach, that difference shapes how each camera is used. The GM1 has the faster shutter limit, 1/16000 second against 1/4000 on the G6, keeping wide apertures usable in strong daylight. The G6 answers with a 7 fps burst against 5 fps, an edge for a running toddler or a dog catching a ball. Resolution is a near-match, 16.05 MP against 16, so neither has a cropping advantage. Both use 23 autofocus points, and neither offers in-body stabilisation. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.05 MP050 | 16 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4608 x 3456 | 4592 x 3448 |
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 x 17.3 | 13 x 17.3 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
7 fps045 | 5 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. |
Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Venus Engine IX | Venus Engine |
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. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
16030200 | 20030200 |
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 | 256003003280000 |
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. |
16030200 | 12530200 |
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 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
12044080 | 6044080 |
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 | 1600080032000 |
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. |
230300 | 230300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 | None |
| Viewfinder dots | 144000009900000 | N/A |
| Video | 56/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor casual family clips, both cameras record Full HD video and offer a 60 fps maximum frame rate. Both save MP4 or AVCHD files, so either body covers typical family footage. The GM1 is the better pick for interval work, offering a built-in timelapse function the G6 lacks. Clouds streaking over a landscape or a slow building sequence can run unattended on the GM1 alone. | ||
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. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
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. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
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 | 60 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. |
No |  Yes |
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. |
AVCHD MP4 (Audio format AAC 2ch) | MP4, AVCHD |
| Features | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe G6 offers the more adaptable controls. Its flip-out screen enables waist-level and overhead shooting, and its external flash connection takes a flash head for bounce light. The GM1 has a fixed screen and no external flash connection. The everyday features are shared. Both offer a 3-inch touch LCD with 1,036,000 dots, live view, a built-in flash and Wi-Fi for wireless transfer to a phone. Neither has GPS or weather sealing, so neither tags locations itself. | ||
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 | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10360001150001500000 | 10360001150001500000 |
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 | No |
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 | 21/100 | 13/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe G6 carries the higher battery rating, 340 shots against 230 for the GM1, a 110-shot difference. The two use different battery packs, the DMW-BLC12 and the DMW-BLH7, so a spare for one will not fit the other. Storage choices match. Both take SD, SDHC or SDXC cards in a single slot, and neither supports USB charging. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | DMW-BLC12 | DMW-BLH7 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
340 shots1505000 | 230 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the G6 if you photograph actively and deliberately. Its viewfinder, flip-out screen, external flash connection, 7 fps burst and 340-shot battery rating suit portraits, events and long travel days at eye level.
Choose the GM1 when small size matters most. It delivers the same Micro Four Thirds sensor format, near-identical 16 MP resolution, Full HD video, a 60 fps maximum frame rate and a built-in timelapse mode, in a body 186 g lighter. Its 1/16000 second shutter keeps wide apertures usable in bright light. Both share the Micro 4/3 mount, so the choice comes down to how you shoot.