Panasonic S5 vs Sony NEX-6: A Hands-On Guide to These Two Mirrorless Contenders

Choosing the right camera can feel like navigating a maze, especially if you’re balancing budget constraints with a desire for robust features and solid image quality. Today, I’m tackling an interesting head-to-head between the 2020 Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 (a “Pro Mirrorless” full-frame powerhouse) and the more vintage but still notable 2013 Sony Alpha NEX-6 (an “Advanced Mirrorless” APS-C system). They cater to different eras and needs, yet they each hold allure for photography enthusiasts.

Having spent the last decade-plus testing cameras across genres from wildlife to macro, I’ll walk you through how these two compare practically, technically, and financially. Whether you’re a budding pro looking for that perfect full-frame travel companion or a cheapskate hunting for capable second-hand gear, this deep dive should help.

Let’s start with the physical feel and design - because no matter how specced a rig is, if it doesn’t handle well in the field, it’s a dealbreaker.

Size, Build, and Ergonomics: Handling the Cameras in Your Hands

I always test cameras in real shooting scenarios, observing grip comfort over hours because even the best sensor can’t make up for wrist cramps.

The Panasonic S5 adopts the classic SLR-style mirrorless body, measuring 133x97x82 mm and tipping the scales at 714 grams. It has a robust, weather-sealed magnesium alloy chassis - great if you shoot in the rain or dusty trails. This body type offers ample clubs for thumbs and fingers, with strategically placed dials and buttons that avoid awkward stretches. For landscape or wildlife shooters who lug gear all day, the solid build offers confidence.

In contrast, the Sony NEX-6 is more of a compact rangefinder-style mirrorless, weighing just 345 grams with dimensions 120x67x43 mm. It’s noticeably smaller and lighter - an excellent choice if pocketability or street photography stealth is your game. However, the trade-off is a simpler build without weather sealing and a less substantial grip, which may prove fiddly with larger lenses or in cold conditions.

From a control perspective, the S5’s button layout is designed with professionals in mind - think multiple custom buttons, dual dials, and a fully articulating touchscreen. The NEX-6, while intuitive, lacks touchscreen altogether and has fewer customization options. The S5’s more generous top-plate real estate invites muscle memory to develop quickly, which I appreciate in fast-paced settings like sports or wildlife.

Verdict:

• Panasonic S5: Best suited for photographers needing durability, a solid grip, and advanced direct controls.
• Sony NEX-6: Ideal for those valuing lightness and portability, with less need for tough environmental resistance.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

When it comes to image quality, sensor size and technology usually dictate performance ceilings. I test image quality in controlled studio settings and real-world shooting, assessing sharpness, dynamic range, low-light noise, and color depth.

The Panasonic S5 sports a full-frame 24MP CMOS sensor (35.6x23.8 mm), sans anti-aliasing filter, which aids in producing razor-sharp images. Full-frame sensors generally deliver superior noise control, better dynamic range, and more pleasing shallow depth-of-field effects compared to smaller sensors. Panasonic also pushes the ISO envelope, with a usable native range of 100-51200 and boost ISO up to 204800 for those night or astro shots.

The Sony NEX-6 employs a 16MP APS-C sensor (23.5x15.6 mm) with an anti-aliasing filter. While smaller, it packs decent punch for its era. Sony’s Bionz processor, effective for its 2013 release, delivers respectable color rendition and dynamic range, though the lower megapixel count and sensor size limit cropping flexibility and low-light prowess. Maximum native ISO peaks at 25600.

Panasonic’s sensor area is well over double that of Sony's, leading to tangible advantages in noise suppression and image detail, especially at higher ISOs and large prints.

Real-world performance:

• Portraits: The S5’s full-frame sensor and no AA filter produce creamy bokeh and superior skin tone gradations. The NEX-6 can hold its own with good prime lenses but falls short for smooth background separation or ultra-fine detail.
• Landscape shots: Greater resolution and dynamic range on the S5 allow capturing subtle tonal gradations in shadows and highlights, vital for expansive nature scenes.
• Astro & low light: S5 wins hands down thanks to the higher ISO ceiling and cleaner noise profile.

Autofocus and Shooting Speeds: How Quickly Can You Nail the Shot?

In any photography discipline, autofocus speed and accuracy matter. Whether capturing erratic birds, athletes dashing, or candid street moments, the camera’s AF system dictates how many keepers you bring home.

The Panasonic S5 features 225 contrast-detection autofocus points with face detection and continuous autofocus modes. Its hybrid system is primarily contrast-detection based, so some may notice slight lag in low-light or high-motion situations compared to phase-detection systems. Notably, it lacks animal eye AF, which might be missed by wildlife photographers, but face-eye detection for humans works reliably.

Meanwhile, the Sony NEX-6 attempts a hybrid AF with 99 points using contrast and phase detection, an innovative feature for its day. It offers faster autofocus acquisition than many contemporaries, though the tracking can struggle with erratic subjects, and face detection is sound but lacks refinement seen in newer gear.

For sports and wildlife shooters, the NEX-6’s higher burst rate (10fps) is appealing for fast action, but the S5’s superior sensor and buffer management still make it more reliable to capture quality in continuous bursts. Also, the Panasonic benefits from focus bracketing and stacking features tailored for macro and landscape precision.

Displays and Viewfinders: What You See is What You Get

Visual feedback during shooting is critical, so I spend hours evaluating LCD quality and viewfinder clarity under various light conditions.

• The Panasonic S5 offers a 3.0-inch fully articulating touchscreen LCD with 1840k-dot resolution - super crisp and versatile for vlogging, awkward angles, and selfie work. The large EVF provides 2360k dots with 100% coverage and 0.74x magnification. This combination delivers a bright, detailed, and color-accurate live view experience.

• The Sony NEX-6 has a 3.0-inch tilting LCD with 921k dots but no touchscreen capability - a notable drawback if you desire touch-to-focus or menu navigation. Its EVF is roughly equal in resolution (2359k dots) but slightly less magnified at 0.73x. Despite its age, the EVF performs well enough but feels less punchy against modern standards.

For photographers relying heavily on video or vlogging, Panasonic’s articulating touchscreen edges out Sony. If you’re mainly composing through the viewfinder, the difference is less stark.

Lens Ecosystem: What Glass Fits Your Goals?

Lens availability and quality can make or break a camera’s usability over time.

• The Panasonic S5 uses the Leica L-mount, shared among the L-mount alliance of Panasonic, Sigma, and Leica. It boasts 31 native lenses ranging from fast primes to pro-level zooms. Given the full-frame sensor, lenses tend to be larger and pricier but offer top-tier image quality and creative control.

• The Sony NEX-6 supports the Sony E-mount with 121 lenses, including many APS-C and full-frame options from Sony and third-party makers. Due to the 1.5x crop factor, lenses appear more telephoto, beneficial for wildlife or sports zoom - plus you have more budget-friendly glass to choose from.

Which lens ecosystem “wins” depends on your priorities. The S5’s L-mount lenses skew toward professional-level sharpness and build but cost more. The NEX-6 offers quantity and versatility but many lenses are now aging.

Video and Connectivity: Beyond Stills

Many photographers are also content creators, so video capabilities weigh heavily.

The Panasonic S5 shines here with:

• 4K video at 60fps with 10-bit 4:2:0 internal recording
• Support for H.265 codecs and V-Log L profile for color grading
• Microphone and headphone jacks for pro audio control
• USB charging and dual SD card slots
• Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for easy sharing and remote control

The Sony NEX-6, an older model, is limited to 1080p video with max 60fps, uses older MPEG-4 and AVCHD codecs, and lacks microphone/headphone ports. Wireless features are basic (built-in Wi-Fi only).

If video is a serious part of your workflow, the S5 offers modern, flexible options that will future-proof your production needs.

Battery Life and Storage: Keeping You Shooting Longer

The Panasonic S5 offers roughly 440 shots per charge (CIPA), which is solid for a full-frame mirrorless, especially given the power draw of its 5-axis sensor stabilization and high-res EVF.

Sony’s NEX-6 gives around 360 shots per charge - reasonable for its class but you may find yourself swapping or carrying spares for day-long outings.

Regarding storage, Panasonic’s dual SD card slots offer backup or extended recording, while the single slot on the Sony is a minor limitation for heavy shooters.

Price-to-Performance: Dollars and Sense

• The Panasonic S5 retails around $2000 body-only; it’s a true investment aimed at serious enthusiasts and professionals. You pay for robust build, full-frame sensor, and advanced video.

• Meanwhile, the NEX-6 floats in the second-hand market near $350-$400, making it a great budget find for APS-C users or those upgrading from smartphones.

Here you have a classic “you get what you pay for” scenario. The S5 offers out-of-the-box pro features, while the NEX-6 remains a legacy model suitable for learners or tight wallets.

How They Stack Up Across Photography Genres

Portraiture: Panasonic S5’s large sensor and accurate skin tones make it the go-to. Sony NEX-6 is adequate but second best.

Landscape: S5’s dynamic range and stabilization give it a marked edge. NEX-6 works but with limited detail in shadows.

Wildlife: NEX-6’s lighter build and faster burst rate are attractive, but S5’s sensor advantage and build durability win on image quality and stability.

Sports: Both can shoot fast; however, tracking continuous AF on S5 is more modern and dependable.

Street photography: Sony’s compactness and discretion shine here.

Macro: Panasonic’s focus stacking and stabilization are priceless for close-up work.

Night/astro: S5’s ISO range means it’s better suited for low light.

Video: Panasonic S5 holds a significant lead.

Travel: S5 strikes a balance of weather sealing and size but is heavier. Sony is lighter yet less versatile.

Professional work: Panasonic’s file formats and reliability are industry-standard.

Sample Images: Seeing is Believing

Panasonic S5 front Panasonic S5 screen back Sony NEX 6 front Sony NEX 6 screen back

I’ve included side-by-side sample shots highlighting portrait details, landscapes, and low-light scenes from both cameras. Notice Panasonic’s finer detail and better highlight handling, especially in shadow regions and night shots.

Overall Performance Scores

By weighing sensor, AF, ergonomics, and value, the Panasonic S5 ranks substantially higher overall, followed by the Sony NEX-6’s respectable but dated score.

Final Recommendations: Which Camera Fits You?

Choose the Panasonic Lumix S5 if you:

• Desire a full-frame sensor with excellent image quality
• Need pro-grade video and audio options
• Shoot extensively in challenging environments requiring weather sealing
• Want advanced AF features and customization
• Are willing to invest for future-proof performance

Choose the Sony NEX-6 if you:

• Are on a limited budget or want to save by buying used
• Prefer a lightweight, compact camera for street or travel
• Primarily shoot stills at moderate resolution
• Can live without advanced image stabilization or 4K video
• Appreciate access to a vast, affordable lens ecosystem

Parting Thoughts from the Trenches

I’ll level with you: if your wallet allows, the Panasonic S5 is a clear winner for most demanding situations, combining technological muscle with practical features that make shooting a pleasure rather than a chore. However, the Sony NEX-6 exemplifies how a well-priced APS-C mirrorless can still deliver solid results, especially if you’re starting out or shooting casual projects.

Neither camera is perfect - the S5 is heavier, and the NEX-6 shows its age - but knowing your priorities will make this choice clearer. Personally, I love the Panasonic’s versatility and build for serious work, while for quick grab-and-go fun or learning the ropes, the Sony is a neat entry point.

Happy shooting, whatever your pick!

If you want to dive deeper into specific genres, video tests, or lens recommendations for either of these cameras, just let me know - I’m here to help you make the most informed choice possible.