Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-5R
89 Imaging
48 Features
54 Overall
50


89 Imaging
57 Features
76 Overall
64
Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 160 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 267g - 108 x 67 x 37mm
- Announced April 2012
- Older Model is Panasonic GF3
- Renewed by Panasonic GF6
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
- Released August 2012
- Old Model is Sony NEX-5N
- Newer Model is Sony NEX-5T

Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview
Following is a in-depth comparison of the Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-5R, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the GF5 (12MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) and the GF5 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5R (APS-C) offer totally different sensor measurements.

The GF5 was brought out 4 months before the NEX-5R so they are of a similar age. Both cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before delving right into a full comparison, here is a short view of how the GF5 scores versus the NEX-5R in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-5R Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 & Sony Alpha NEX-5R. The entire galleries are viewable at Panasonic GF5 Gallery & Sony NEX-5R Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF5 over the Sony NEX-5R
GF5 | NEX-5R |
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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Panasonic GF5
NEX-5R | GF5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Panasonic GF5 and Sony NEX-5R
GF5 | NEX-5R | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | April 2012 | ![]() | August 2012 | Same age |
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display measurements |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 920k | Identical display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic GF5 enjoys physical dimensions of 108mm x 67mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") with a weight of 267 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5R has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).
Examine the Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-5R in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the GF5 vs the NEX-5R.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GF5 and NEX-5R is 89 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison
Typically, its tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizes only by looking through a spec sheet. The pic underneath will provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the GF5 and NEX-5R.
Clearly, both of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The GF5 featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Sony NEX-5R will provide you with greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics way more aggressively.

Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 | Sony Alpha NEX-5R | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 | Sony Alpha NEX-5R |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2012-04-05 | 2012-08-29 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Venus Engine FHD | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4912 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 23 | 99 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Amount of lenses | 107 | 121 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 920k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen tech | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle | Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.30 m | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest 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 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) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | AVCHD |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 267g (0.59 pounds) | 276g (0.61 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 108 x 67 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") | 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 50 | 78 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 20.5 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.0 | 13.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 573 | 910 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 360 photos | 330 photos |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse feature | With downloadable app | |
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $600 | $750 |