Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-C3
89 Imaging
48 Features
54 Overall
50
91 Imaging
56 Features
57 Overall
56
Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-C3 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
- Introduced April 2012
- Older Model is Panasonic GF3
- Replacement is Panasonic GF6
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
- Announced August 2011
- Older Model is Sony NEX-3
- Successor is Sony NEX-F3
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview
Here, we will be reviewing the Panasonic GF5 versus Sony NEX-C3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the GF5 (12MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) and the GF5 (Four Thirds) and NEX-C3 (APS-C) offer different sensor dimensions.
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe GF5 was launched 8 months later than the NEX-C3 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before delving right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief summation of how the GF5 scores versus the NEX-C3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 & Sony Alpha NEX-C3. The complete galleries are viewable at Panasonic GF5 Gallery & Sony NEX-C3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF5 over the Sony NEX-C3
| GF5 | NEX-C3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | April 2012 | August 2011 | Fresher by 8 months | |
| Touch screen | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Panasonic GF5
| NEX-C3 | GF5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Panasonic GF5 and Sony NEX-C3
| GF5 | NEX-C3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Dial exact focusing | |||
| Screen size | 3" | 3" | Same screen sizing | |
| Screen resolution | 920k | 920k | The same screen resolution | |
| Selfie screen | Neither includes selfie screen |
Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to carry your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GF5 features outer 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-C3 has proportions of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).
See the Panasonic GF5 versus Sony NEX-C3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the GF5 vs the NEX-C3.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the GF5 and NEX-C3 is 89 and 91 respectively.
Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, its hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing purely by viewing specifications. The photograph here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the GF5 and NEX-C3.
To sum up, the 2 cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The GF5 due to its smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh harder and the Sony NEX-C3 will render extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The younger GF5 should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.
Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Panasonic | Sony |
| Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 |
| Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Introduced | 2012-04-05 | 2011-08-22 |
| 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 | 12 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
| 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 | 12800 |
| Minimum native ISO | 160 | 100 |
| RAW format | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| AF single | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detect AF | ||
| Contract detect AF | ||
| Phase detect AF | ||
| Total focus points | 23 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Amount of lenses | 107 | 121 |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of display | 920k dots | 920k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Display tech | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shooting rate | 4.0fps | 6.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated 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 | ||
| Maximum flash synchronize | 1/160s | 1/160s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| 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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4 |
| Microphone port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| 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 | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 267 grams (0.59 lb) | 225 grams (0.50 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 108 x 67 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") | 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | 50 | 73 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 20.5 | 22.7 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.0 | 12.2 |
| DXO Low light rating | 573 | 1083 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 360 images | 400 images |
| Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | - | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Cost at launch | $600 | $343 |