Panasonic
Lumix GM5
Tiny Micro Four Thirds body with built-in EVF and interchangeable lenses.
$899
Released Sep 2014
Sony
Alpha 1 II
50MP stacked flagship with 30fps RAW, 8K video, and Sony's fastest hybrid performance.
$6,499
Released Nov 2024
Alpha 1 II is 10.2 years newer.
Wins
Lumix GM5
Wins
Alpha 1 II
1 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 1 II has higher IBIS effectiveness (8.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 23)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher RAW buffer depth (200 frames vs 7 frames)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 1,166,000)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher Max video bit rate (150 Mbps vs 28 Mbps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Lumix GM5
99 × 60 × 36 mm
211 g (0.47 lb / 7.44 oz)
Alpha 1 II
136 × 97 × 83 mm
743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)
Lumix GM5 is 38mm narrower, 37mm shorter, and 47mm thinner than Alpha 1 II.
Lumix GM5 is 532 g lighter than Alpha 1 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 36mm Lumix GM5 · 83mm Alpha 1 II
Sensor size, to scale
Lumix GM5
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
Alpha 1 II
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
3.8× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Lumix GM5
Micro Four Thirds
130+
native lenses available
Alpha 1 II
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
Lumix GM5
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 98.5, 59.5, 36.1
Card types
Adds microSD
Weight
211 g vs 743 g — lower is better
Codecs
Adds MP4, AVCHD
Subject recognition
Adds Face, Eye
Burst (electronic)
40 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
AF frame coverage
100 % vs 94 % — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 1 II
IBIS effectiveness
8.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II
AF points / zones
759 vs 23 — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
200 frames vs 7 frames — higher is better
EVF resolution
9,437,184 vs 1,166,000 — higher is better
Max video bit rate
150 Mbps vs 28 Mbps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Lumix GM5
Pros
- ✓Ultra compact
- ✓Built-in EVF
- ✓MFT lens mount
Cons
- –No 4K
- –Small battery
- –No IBIS
Alpha 1 II
Pros
- ✓50MP stacked sensor
- ✓30fps blackout-free burst
- ✓8K 30p video
- ✓Best Sony AF
Cons
- –Very expensive
- –Complex menus
- –Large files
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, Lumix GM5 or Alpha 1 II?
Alpha 1 II scores 9.0/10 versus 0.0/10 for Lumix GM5 — 50.1MP — massive detail for large prints.
What's the resolution difference between the Lumix GM5 and Alpha 1 II?
Lumix GM5 is 16 MP and Alpha 1 II is 50.1 MP, so the Alpha 1 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Lumix GM5 and Alpha 1 II have in-body image stabilization?
Lumix GM5 does not have IBIS, while alpha 1 II has 8.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Lumix GM5 or the Alpha 1 II?
Lumix GM5 reaches 40 fps electronic. Alpha 1 II reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Lumix GM5 and Alpha 1 II?
Lumix GM5 weighs 211 g and Alpha 1 II weighs 743 g, so the Lumix GM5 is 532 g lighter.
Do the Lumix GM5 and Alpha 1 II record 4K video?
Lumix GM5: Full HD. Alpha 1 II: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the Lumix GM5 and Alpha 1 II weather sealed?
Lumix GM5: No. Alpha 1 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 220 shots (CIPA) for the Lumix GM5 and 520 shots for the Alpha 1 II, giving the Alpha 1 II the edge.
How much does each cost?
Lumix GM5 launched at $899 and Alpha 1 II at $6,499. The Lumix GM5 is $5,600 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Panasonic and Sony press materials.