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Panasonic G5 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
74
Imaging
52
Features
66
Overall
57
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
69
Overall
61

Panasonic G5 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Panasonic G5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 396g - 120 x 83 x 71mm
  • Revealed July 2012
  • Old Model is Panasonic G3
  • Later Model is Panasonic G6
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Launched October 2011
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-5R
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Panasonic G5 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

The following is a detailed overview of the Panasonic G5 and Sony NEX-5N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the G5 (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is fairly close but the G5 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5N (APS-C) posses different sensor sizes.

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The G5 was unveiled 10 months after the NEX-5N which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic G5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the G5 scores vs the NEX-5N when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G5 over the Sony NEX-5N

 G5 NEX-5N 
LaunchedJuly 2012October 2011Newer by 10 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Panasonic G5

 NEX-5N G5 

Common features in the Panasonic G5 and Sony NEX-5N

 G5 NEX-5N 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Display resolution920k920kExact same display resolution
Touch display Easily navigate

Panasonic G5 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic G5 enjoys physical measurements of 120mm x 83mm x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8") having a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5N has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic G5 and Sony NEX-5N in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the G5 vs the NEX-5N.

Panasonic G5 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the G5 and NEX-5N is 74 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic G5 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G5 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions only by looking through specifications. The pic below will help give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the G5 and NEX-5N.

Plainly, each of the cameras provide the same megapixels but different sensor dimensions. The G5 comes with the smaller sensor which will make obtaining bokeh tougher. The fresher G5 provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic G5 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Panasonic G5 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G5 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G5 Portrait photography details
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography details
71
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW files
74
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G5 Street photography information
Sony NEX-5N Street photography information
66
screen can move to multiple angles
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
supports focus by touch
does not have image stabilization
heavier than average (396 grams)
80
screen tilts
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
includes focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G5 Sports photography highlights
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography highlights
51
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
max frames per second low (6.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
58
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good battery (460 shots)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G5 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Travel photography camera
66
supports focus by touch
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than average (396 grams)
71
good battery (460 shots)
includes focus via touch
good MP (16MP)
missing Timelapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G5 Landscape photography factors
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography factors
65
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
missing Time Lapse function
71
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
good battery (460 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic G5
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5N
62
selfie friendly screen
built-in touchscreen
features face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have image stabilization
missing mic port
heavier than average (396g)
33
touch screen
offers face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
missing external microphone support
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Panasonic G5 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G5 and Sony NEX-5N
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-07-17 2011-10-03
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine VII FHD Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 12800 25600
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.50 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 396 grams (0.87 lb) 269 grams (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 120 x 83 x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 61 77
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 12.7
DXO Low light score 618 1079
Other
Battery life 320 images 460 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $699 $550