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Panasonic 3D1 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
36
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Panasonic 3D1 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs

Panasonic 3D1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.9-5.7) lens
  • 193g - 108 x 58 x 24mm
  • Introduced November 2011
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Launched June 2010
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5N
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Panasonic 3D1 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

The following is a extended analysis of the Panasonic 3D1 and Sony NEX-5, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the 3D1 (12MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is fairly close but the 3D1 (1/2.3") and NEX-5 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The 3D1 was released 18 months after the NEX-5 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic 3D1 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief summation of how the 3D1 scores versus the NEX-5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic 3D1 over the Sony NEX-5

 3D1 NEX-5 
LaunchedNovember 2011June 2010Newer by 18 months
Display dimension3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Panasonic 3D1

 NEX-5 3D1 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic 3D1 and Sony NEX-5

 3D1 NEX-5 
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Panasonic 3D1 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic 3D1 offers outer dimensions of 108mm x 58mm x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9") with a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5 has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic 3D1 and Sony NEX-5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the 3D1 compared to the NEX-5.

Panasonic 3D1 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the 3D1 and NEX-5 is 93 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic 3D1 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic 3D1 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by looking through a spec sheet. The pic here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the 3D1 and NEX-5.

Clearly, the 2 cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The 3D1 because of its smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Sony NEX-5 will result in greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The newer 3D1 will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic 3D1 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic 3D1 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic 3D1 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic 3D1 Portrait photography info
Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography info
27
includes face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
72
manual focus
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic 3D1 Street photography factors
Sony NEX-5 Street photography factors
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
features touch to focus
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
76
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic 3D1 Sports photography info
Sony NEX-5 Sports photography info
30
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (200 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
52
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic 3D1 Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-5 Travel photography highlights
59
features touch to focus
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (200 shots)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
59
decent MP (14MP)
does not have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic 3D1 Landscape photography info
Sony NEX-5 Landscape photography info
36
relatively wide (25mm)
screen larger than average (3.5 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
bad battery pack (200 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
68
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic 3D1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Vlogging camera
34
relatively wide (25mm)
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
does not offer selfie friendly display
missing mic support
28
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have external microphone socket
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Panasonic 3D1 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic 3D1 and Sony NEX-5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-11-07 2010-06-07
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.9-5.7 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3.5 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Full Touch Screen with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1300 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 193g (0.43 lb) 287g (0.63 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 58 x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 69
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 796
Other
Battery life 200 shots 330 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at launch $670 $599