Here's how the Panasonic G100 compares to its vlogging and YouTube camera rivals

Panasonic G100
(Image credit: Panasonic)

The Panasonic G100 has jumped aboard the increasingly crowded bandwagon marked 'vlogging camera', but how exactly does it compare to the very best YouTube cameras out there?

While we won't be able to tell for sure until we've tested it thoroughly, it's possible to get an early idea by comparing the G100's CV to those of its closest rivals: the Sony ZV-1, Canon EOS M50, Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Fujifilm X-T200. And that's what we've done below.

A quick look at the comparison table tells us the Panasonic G100 has carved out its own vlogging niche thanks to its combination of mini DSLR styling, a built-in viewfinder, and the promise of strong audio from its Nokia Ozo-equipped three-mic system.

Whether that unique combination will be appealing enough to YouTubers, or enough to overcome the camera's lack of phase-detect autofocus, is another matter. You can read our early impressions in our hands-on Panasonic G100 review

The G100 certainly does tick most of the vlogging camera boxes. Broadly speaking, there are five things that a good vlogging camera needs: an articulated screen, good autofocus, some form of built-in stabilization, strong audio options and, increasingly, the option to livestream directly from the camera.

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Panasonic G100 vs Sony ZV-1 vs Canon EOS M50 vs Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III vs Fujifilm X-T200
Row 0 - Cell 0 Panasonic G100Sony ZV-1Canon EOS M50Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark IIIFujifilm X-T200
Price (body only)$749 (with lens) / £589 / AU$1,099$749 / £699 / AU$1,299$479 / £499 / AU$739$999 / £1,049 / $1,649$599 / £649 / AU$1185
Sensor20.3MP Four Thirds MOS20.1MP 1-inch CMOS24.1MP APS-C CMOS20.4MP Four Thirds MOS24MP APS-C
AutofocusDFD AF (contrast-based)Hybrid AF (phase and contrast)Dual Pixel CMOS AFHybrid AF (phase and contrast)Hybrid AF (phase and contrast)
Stabilization5-axis hybrid ISOptical/digital SteadyShotDigital IS5-axis IBISDigital IS
Video4K/30p (10 mins)4K/30p (unlimited)4K/24p (30 mins)4K/24p (30 mins)4K/30p (15 mins)
AudioThree-mic / 3.5mm mic inputThree-mic / 3.5mm mic inputTwo-mic / 3.5mm mic inputTwo-mic / 3.5mm mic inputTwo-mic / 3.5mm mic input
EVF3,680k-dot EVFNone2,360k dot EVF2,360k-dot EVF2,360k-dot EVF
Size/weight115.6x82.5x54.2mm / 345g105.5x60x43.5mm / 294g116.3x88.1x58.7mm/387g125.3x85.2x49.7mm / 414g121x83.7x55.1 / 370g

Panasonic G100

(Image credit: Panasonic)

Built for vlogging

Unfortunately, the G100 won't be compatible with Panasonic's new Lumix streaming software due to a hardware limitation, which is a shame. But it ticks most of the other boxes, thanks to its three-inch articulated touchscreen, fixe-axis image stabilization, and the combination of its new Ozo Audio-boosted microphones and a 3.5mm microphone input.

Unusually for a camera this small, the G100 also has a high-resolution 3,680k-dot viewfinder, which is a boon for both stills photography and for those who like to shoot lots of video from behind the camera, rather than in front of it.

Its main shortcomings compared to its rivals above are around autofocus (the G100 has contrast-based DFD autofocus, rather than true hybrid AF), and sensor size, with the Canon EOS M50 and Fujifilm X-T200 packing larger APS-C sensors at a similar price.

Will the Panasonic G100 get caught in a no man's land between the pocketable Sony ZV-1 and its APS-C (or even full-frame) rivals? Or does it hit something of a sweet spot for features and price? We'll bring you our full verdict very soon, but in the meantime check out our hands-on Panasonic G100 review.

Mark Wilson
Senior news editor

Mark is TechRadar's Senior news editor. Having worked in tech journalism for a ludicrous 17 years, Mark is now attempting to break the world record for the number of camera bags hoarded by one person. He was previously Cameras Editor at both TechRadar and Trusted Reviews, Acting editor on Stuff.tv, as well as Features editor and Reviews editor on Stuff magazine. As a freelancer, he's contributed to titles including The Sunday Times, FourFourTwo and Arena. And in a former life, he also won The Daily Telegraph's Young Sportswriter of the Year. But that was before he discovered the strange joys of getting up at 4am for a photo shoot in London's Square Mile.