Panasonic G97 vs Sony RX1R III

The Panasonic Lumix DC-G97 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R III are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in April 2019 and July 2025. The G97 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the RX1R III is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on a Four Thirds (G97) and a full frame (RX1R III) sensor. The Panasonic has a resolution of 20.2 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 60.2 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Panasonic G97		Sony RX1R III
Mirrorless system camera		Fixed lens compact camera
Micro Four Thirds lenses		35mm f/2.0
20.2 MP – Four Thirds sensor		60.2 MP – Full Frame sensor
4K/30p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 200-25,600		ISO 100-32,000 (50 - 102,400)
Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
3.0" LCD – 1840k dots		3.0" LCD – 2360k dots
Swivel touchscreen		Fixed touchscreen
9 shutter flaps per second		5 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilization		no shake reduction
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
290 shots per battery charge		300 shots per battery charge
130 x 94 x 77 mm, 536 g		113 x 68 x 88 mm, 498 g

Check G97 offers at
ebay.com
Check RX1R III price at
amazon.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Panasonic Lumix DC-G97 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R III? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Panasonic G97 and the Sony RX1R III are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony RX1R III is considerably smaller (37 percent) than the Panasonic G97. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the RX1R III has a lens built in, whereas the G97 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the G97 and their specifications in the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the G97 gets 290 shots out of its Panasonic DMW-BLC12 battery, while the RX1R III can take 300 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FW50 power pack. The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Panasonic G97	130 mm	94 mm	77 mm	536 g	290	Y	Apr 2019	EUR 749	ebay.com
2.		Sony RX1R III	113 mm	68 mm	88 mm	498 g	300	Y	Jul 2025	EUR 4 899	amazon.com
3.		Fujifilm GFX 100RF	134 mm	90 mm	77 mm	735 g	820	Y	Mar 2025	EUR 5 499	amazon.com
4.		Fujifilm X100V	128 mm	75 mm	53 mm	478 g	420	Y	Feb 2020	EUR 1 499	ebay.com
5.		Leica Q3	130 mm	80 mm	93 mm	743 g	350	Y	May 2023	EUR 5 999	amazon.com
6.		Olympus E-M1 III	134 mm	91 mm	69 mm	580 g	420	Y	Feb 2020	EUR 1 799	ebay.com
7.		Olympus E-M5 III	125 mm	85 mm	50 mm	414 g	310	Y	Oct 2019	EUR 1 199	ebay.com
8.		Olympus E-M10 IV	122 mm	84 mm	49 mm	383 g	360	n	Aug 2020	EUR 699	amazon.com
9.		Panasonic G80	128 mm	89 mm	74 mm	505 g	330	Y	Sep 2016	EUR 899	ebay.com
10.		Panasonic G90	130 mm	94 mm	77 mm	536 g	290	Y	Apr 2019	EUR 999	ebay.com
11.		Panasonic G110	116 mm	83 mm	54 mm	352 g	270	n	Jun 2020	EUR 649	amazon.com
12.		Panasonic GX8	133 mm	78 mm	63 mm	487 g	330	Y	Jul 2015	EUR 1 199	ebay.com
13.		Panasonic GX9	124 mm	72 mm	47 mm	407 g	260	n	Feb 2018	EUR 799	ebay.com
14.		Panasonic S5	133 mm	98 mm	82 mm	714 g	440	Y	Sep 2020	EUR 1 999	amazon.com
15.		Sigma fp L	113 mm	70 mm	45 mm	427 g	240	Y	Mar 2021	EUR 2 299	amazon.com
16.		Sony A7C	124 mm	71 mm	60 mm	509 g	740	Y	Sep 2020	EUR 2 099	amazon.com
17.		Sony RX1R II	113 mm	65 mm	72 mm	507 g	220	n	Oct 2015	EUR 3 499	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Panasonic G97 features a Four Thirds sensor and the Sony RX1R III a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the RX1R III is 278 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.0 and 1.0. The sensor in the G97 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the RX1R III offers a 3:2 aspect.

With 60.2MP, the RX1R III offers a higher resolution than the G97 (20.2MP), but the RX1R III nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.76μm versus 3.34μm for the G97) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the RX1R III is a much more recent model (by 6 years and 3 months) than the G97, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Sony RX1R III implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the RX1R III for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 47.5 x 31.7 inches or 120.7 x 80.5 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 38 x 25.3 inches or 96.6 x 64.4 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 31.7 x 21.1 inches or 80.5 x 53.6 cm. The corresponding values for the Panasonic G97 are 25.9 x 19.4 inches or 65.8 x 49.4 cm for good quality, 20.7 x 15.6 inches or 52.7 x 39.5 cm for very good quality, and 17.3 x 13 inches or 43.9 x 32.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The RX1R III has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Panasonic Lumix DC-G97 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R III are ISO 100 to ISO 32000, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-102400.

In terms of underlying technology, the G97 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the RX1R III uses a BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Panasonic G97	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	23.2	13.0	1273	75
2.		Sony RX1R III	Full Frame	60.2	9504	6336	4K/30p	25.4	14.9	3417	97
3.		Fujifilm GFX 100RF	Medium Format	101.8	11648	8736	4K/30p	25.9	15.1	3805	101
4.		Fujifilm X100V	APS-C	26.0	6240	4160	4K/30p	24.2	13.6	1996	84
5.		Leica Q3	Full Frame	60.3	9528	6328	8K/30p	25.4	14.7	3216	96
6.		Olympus E-M1 III	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	23.3	13.1	1356	76
7.		Olympus E-M5 III	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	23.3	13.1	1324	76
8.		Olympus E-M10 IV	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	23.3	13.2	1402	76
9.		Panasonic G80	Four Thirds	15.8	4592	3448	4K/30p	22.8	12.5	656	71
10.		Panasonic G90	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	23.2	13.0	1273	75
11.		Panasonic G110	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	23.3	13.2	1391	76
12.		Panasonic GX8	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	23.5	12.6	806	75
13.		Panasonic GX9	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	23.1	12.8	1163	74
14.		Panasonic S5	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/60p	25.1	14.5	2697	94
15.		Sigma fp L	Full Frame	60.2	9520	6328	4K/30p	25.3	14.4	3001	96
16.		Sony A7C	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	25.0	14.7	3407	95
17.		Sony RX1R II	Full Frame	42.2	7952	5304	1080/60p	25.8	13.9	3204	97
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (4K/30p).

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The G97 and the RX1R III are similar in the sense that both feature an electronic viewfinder, which is helpful when framing images in bright sunlight. Moreover, their viewfinders offer an identical resolution of 2360k dots. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Panasonic G97 and Sony RX1R III along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Panasonic G97	2360	n	3.0 / 1840	swivel	Y	1/4000s	9.0/s	Y	Y
2.		Sony RX1R III	2360	n	3.0 / 2360	fixed	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	n	n
3.		Fujifilm GFX 100RF	5760	n	3.2 / 2100	tilting	Y	1/4000s	6.0/s	n	n
4.		Fujifilm X100V	3690	n	3.0 / 1620	tilting	Y	1/4000s	11.0/s	n	n
5.		Leica Q3	5760	n	3.0 / 1840	tilting	Y	1/2000s	15.0/s	n	Y
6.		Olympus E-M1 III	2360	n	3.0 / 1037	swivel	Y	1/8000s	18.0/s	n	Y
7.		Olympus E-M5 III	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0/s	n	Y
8.		Olympus E-M10 IV	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	15.0/s	Y	Y
9.		Panasonic G80	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	9.0/s	Y	Y
10.		Panasonic G90	2360	n	3.0 / 1240	swivel	Y	1/4000s	9.0/s	Y	Y
11.		Panasonic G110	3680	n	3.0 / 1840	swivel	Y	1/500s	10.0/s	Y	n
12.		Panasonic GX8	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0/s	n	Y
13.		Panasonic GX9	2760	n	3.0 / 1240	tilting	Y	1/4000s	9.0/s	Y	Y
14.		Panasonic S5	2360	n	3.0 / 1840	swivel	Y	1/8000s	7.0/s	n	Y
15.		Sigma fp L	optional	n	3.2 / 2100	fixed	Y	1/8000s	10.0/s	n	n
16.		Sony A7C	2360	n	3.0 / 922	swivel	Y	1/4000s	10.0/s	n	Y
17.		Sony RX1R II	2360	n	3.0 / 1229	tilting	n	1/4000s	5.0/s	n	n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The G97 has one, while the RX1R III does not. While the built-in flash of the G97 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Panasonic G97 and the Sony RX1R III both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the G97 and the RX1R III write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras support UHS-II cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Panasonic Lumix DC-G97 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R III and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Panasonic G97	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
2.		Sony RX1R III	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
3.		Fujifilm GFX 100RF	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
4.		Fujifilm X100V	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
5.		Leica Q3	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
6.		Olympus E-M1 III	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
7.		Olympus E-M5 III	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
8.		Olympus E-M10 IV	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
9.		Panasonic G80	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
10.		Panasonic G90	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
11.		Panasonic G110	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
12.		Panasonic GX8	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
13.		Panasonic GX9	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
14.		Panasonic S5	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
15.		Sigma fp L	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	-
16.		Sony A7C	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	Y	Y
17.		Sony RX1R II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

The RX1R III is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Sony. In contrast, the G97 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). There has not been a direct replacement model for the G97 from Panasonic. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Panasonic and Sony websites.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Panasonic G97 better than the Sony RX1R III or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Arguments in favor of the Panasonic Lumix DC-G97:

• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.74x vs 0.7x).
• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (9 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More flexible: Accepts interchangeable lenses, so that lens characteristics can be altered.
• Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
• Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in April 2019).

Advantages of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R III:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (60.2 vs 20.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 76%.
• Better image quality: Is equipped with a larger and more technologically advanced sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2360k vs 1840k dots).
• Ready to shoot: Has an integrated lens, whereas the G97 necessitates an extra lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (113x68mm vs 130x94mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight even though it has a lens built in (unlike the G97).
• Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.2 vs 2.0).
• More modern: Reflects 6 years and 3 months of technical progress since the G97 launch.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the RX1R III is the clear winner of the contest (12 : 8 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Panasonic G97 and the Sony RX1R III place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best Prime Lens Compact Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the G97 or the RX1R III. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Panasonic G97	..	..	..	..	..	..	Apr 2019	EUR 749	ebay.com
2.		Sony RX1R III	..	..	..	..	..	..	Jul 2025	EUR 4 899	amazon.com
3.		Fujifilm GFX 100RF	..	..	..	..	..	..	Mar 2025	EUR 5 499	amazon.com
4.		Fujifilm X100V	5/5	+ +	4.5/5	86/100	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2020	EUR 1 499	ebay.com
5.		Leica Q3	5/5	..	4.5/5	..	..	4.5/5	May 2023	EUR 5 999	amazon.com
6.		Olympus E-M1 III	5/5	..	5/5	83/100	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2020	EUR 1 799	ebay.com
7.		Olympus E-M5 III	5/5	+	5/5	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2019	EUR 1 199	ebay.com
8.		Olympus E-M10 IV	4.5/5	..	5/5	81/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2020	EUR 699	amazon.com
9.		Panasonic G80	..	+ +	..	84/100	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2016	EUR 899	ebay.com
10.		Panasonic G90	4.5/5	+	4.5/5	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2019	EUR 999	ebay.com
11.		Panasonic G110	4/5	..	4/5	78/100	4/5	4/5	Jun 2020	EUR 649	amazon.com
12.		Panasonic GX8	5/5	+	..	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2015	EUR 1 199	ebay.com
13.		Panasonic GX9	4/5	+	4/5	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2018	EUR 799	ebay.com
14.		Panasonic S5	4.5/5	+ +	4.5/5	88/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2020	EUR 1 999	amazon.com
15.		Sigma fp L	4/5	..	4/5	..	4/5	4/5	Mar 2021	EUR 2 299	amazon.com
16.		Sony A7C	3.5/5	..	3.5/5	86/100	4/5	4/5	Sep 2020	EUR 2 099	amazon.com
17.		Sony RX1R II	5/5	..	..	82/100	..	4.5/5	Oct 2015	EUR 3 499	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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