Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF5
92 Imaging
44 Features
63 Overall
51


89 Imaging
48 Features
54 Overall
50
Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF5 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF5 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon 1 J3 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5. The whole galleries are available at Nikon 1 J3 Gallery & Panasonic GF5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J3 over the Panasonic GF5
1 J3 | GF5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | November 2013 | ![]() | April 2012 | More modern by 21 months |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Sharper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF5 Specifications
Nikon 1 J3 | Panasonic 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 |