Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-5
89 Imaging
47 Features
54 Overall
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89 Imaging
53 Features
58 Overall
55
Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs
(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
- Launched April 2012
- Previous Model is Panasonic GF3
- New Model is Panasonic GF6
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Revealed June 2010
- Newer Model is Sony NEX-5N
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview
Let's look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic GF5 versus Sony NEX-5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the GF5 (12MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the GF5 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5 (APS-C) boast different sensor sizing.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe GF5 was introduced 23 months later than the NEX-5 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the GF5 grades versus the NEX-5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-5 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 & Sony Alpha NEX-5. The whole galleries are available at Panasonic GF5 Gallery & Sony NEX-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF5 over the Sony NEX-5
| GF5 | NEX-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | April 2012 | June 2010 | Fresher by 23 months | |
| Touch friendly screen | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Panasonic GF5
| NEX-5 | GF5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Panasonic GF5 and Sony NEX-5
| GF5 | NEX-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Dial accurate focus | |||
| Screen size | 3" | 3" | Same screen measurement | |
| Screen resolution | 920k | 920k | Equal screen resolution | |
| Selfie screen | Neither provides selfie screen |
Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GF5 provides physical dimensions of 108mm x 67mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") along with a weight of 267 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5 has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).
Compare the Panasonic GF5 versus Sony NEX-5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the GF5 against the NEX-5.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GF5 and NEX-5 is 89 and 89 respectively.
Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison
Typically, its tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizing just by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic here might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the GF5 and NEX-5.
Clearly, both of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The GF5 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh more difficult and the Sony NEX-5 will show more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The younger GF5 provides a benefit in sensor innovation.
Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder
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Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Panasonic | Sony |
| Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 |
| Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Launched | 2012-04-05 | 2010-06-07 |
| Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | Venus Engine FHD | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 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 |
| Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
| Min native ISO | 160 | 200 |
| RAW photos | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | 23 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Available lenses | 107 | 121 |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 920k dot | 920k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Display technology | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shooting speed | 4.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 6.30 m | 12.00 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Highest flash sync | 1/160s | 1/160s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | AVCHD |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 267 gr (0.59 lb) | 287 gr (0.63 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 108 x 67 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around score | 50 | 69 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 20.5 | 22.2 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 10.0 | 12.2 |
| DXO Low light score | 573 | 796 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 360 photographs | 330 photographs |
| 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 | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Retail price | $600 | $599 |