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Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
54
Overall
50
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Panasonic GF5
(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
Sony NEX-C3
(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
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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.

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The 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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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF5 over the Sony NEX-C3

 GF5 NEX-C3 
AnnouncedApril 2012August 2011Fresher by 8 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Panasonic GF5

 NEX-C3 GF5 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Panasonic GF5 and Sony NEX-C3

 GF5 NEX-C3 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution920k920kThe 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF5 Portrait photography advice
Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography advice
55
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
73
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF5 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Street photography camera
70
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
has focus by touch
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
79
screen tilts
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than others (225g)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF5 Sports photography features
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography features
40
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
does not have phase detect autofocus
53
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great battery (400 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF5 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography details
61
has focus by touch
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
low MP (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
71
great battery (400 CIPA)
lighter than others (225g)
good resolution (16MP)
does not have Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Landscape photography camera
59
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
no Timelapse function
70
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
great battery (400 shots)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF5 Vlogging info
Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging info
32
built-in touchscreen
offers face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
no external microphone support
27
lighter than others (225 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone socket
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Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF5 and Sony NEX-C3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5Sony 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