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Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF5

Portability
92
Imaging
45
Features
63
Overall
52
Nikon 1 J3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
49
Features
54
Overall
51

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF5 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 201g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
  • Revealed November 2013
  • Succeeded the Nikon 1 J2
  • Refreshed by Nikon 1 J4
Panasonic GF5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 267g - 108 x 67 x 37mm
  • Released April 2012
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GF3
  • Updated by Panasonic GF6
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Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF5 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Nikon 1 J3 versus Panasonic GF5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the 1 J3 (14MP) and the GF5 (12MP) is very comparable but the 1 J3 (1") and GF5 (Four Thirds) have different sensor sizing.

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The 1 J3 was introduced 21 months after the GF5 making them a generation away from each other. The two cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a concise summary of how the 1 J3 grades against the GF5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J3 over the Panasonic GF5

 1 J3 GF5 
ReleasedNovember 2013April 2012More modern by 21 months
Display resolution921k920kSharper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF5 over the Nikon 1 J3

 GF5 1 J3 
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon 1 J3 and Panasonic GF5

 1 J3 GF5 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF5 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon 1 J3 enjoys physical dimensions of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 201 grams (0.44 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GF5 has sizing of 108mm x 67mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") with a weight of 267 grams (0.59 lbs).

Look at the Nikon 1 J3 versus Panasonic GF5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose during that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the 1 J3 and the GF5.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF5 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the 1 J3 and GF5 is 92 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizes purely by checking out technical specs. The image underneath will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the 1 J3 and GF5.

As you have seen, both of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The 1 J3 having a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Nikon 1 J3 will provide more detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images more aggressively. The more modern 1 J3 provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF5 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic GF5 Portrait photography factors
59
you can focus manually
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
external flash not possible
56
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GF5 as a Street photography camera
70
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
lighter than average (201g)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
70
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
provides focus by touch
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Sports photography information
Panasonic GF5 Sports photography information
58
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
MP count decent (14MP)
good sensor size (1")
includes tracking focus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery power (220 CIPA)
41
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Travel photography factors
Panasonic GF5 Travel photography factors
69
lighter than average (201g)
MP count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
terrible battery power (220 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
61
provides focus by touch
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon 1 J3
Landscape photography with Panasonic GF5
64
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count decent (14MP)
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery power (220 per charge)
59
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic GF5 Vlogging highlights
30
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (201g)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
missing mic port
32
touchscreen
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have external microphone support
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Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J3 and Panasonic GF5
 Nikon 1 J3Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon 1 J3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2013-11-30 2012-04-05
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3072 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 160 160
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 135 23
Cross type focus points 41 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 13 107
Focal length multiplier 2.7 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 15.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 6.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/60 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 1072 x 720 (60 fps) 640 x 240 (400), 320 x 120 (1200) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 201 grams (0.44 lb) 267 grams (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") 108 x 67 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 50
DXO Color Depth rating 20.4 20.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 10.0
DXO Low light rating 420 573
Other
Battery life 220 pictures 360 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL20 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch cost $170 $600