Panasonic GF6 vs Sony NEX-5N
87 Imaging
52 Features
64 Overall
56


89 Imaging
56 Features
69 Overall
61
Panasonic GF6 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 160 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 323g - 111 x 65 x 38mm
- Released April 2013
- Previous Model is Panasonic GF5
- Successor is Panasonic GF7
(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
- Revealed October 2011
- Replaced the Sony NEX-5
- Newer Model is Sony NEX-5R

Panasonic GF6 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview
Following is a thorough assessment of the Panasonic GF6 vs Sony NEX-5N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the GF6 (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is fairly similar but the GF6 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5N (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizes.

The GF6 was revealed 19 months after the NEX-5N making them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before getting right into a detailed comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the GF6 grades versus the NEX-5N in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic GF6 vs Sony NEX-5N Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6 and Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The full galleries are provided at Panasonic GF6 Gallery and Sony NEX-5N Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF6 over the Sony NEX-5N
GF6 | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | April 2013 | ![]() | October 2011 | More modern by 19 months |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 920k | Clearer display (+120k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Panasonic GF6
NEX-5N | GF6 |
---|
Common features in the Panasonic GF6 and Sony NEX-5N
GF6 | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Panasonic GF6 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison
When you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GF6 offers external measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.5") having a weight of 323 grams (0.71 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5N has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
See the Panasonic GF6 vs Sony NEX-5N in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the GF6 vs the NEX-5N.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the GF6 and NEX-5N is 87 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic GF6 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison
Often, it's difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizes purely by reviewing technical specs. The image underneath might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the GF6 and NEX-5N.
As you have seen, both of those cameras have the same MP but not the same sensor sizes. The GF6 has got the tinier sensor which will make obtaining shallower depth of field trickier. The more recent GF6 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GF6 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF6 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2013-04-08 | 2011-10-03 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | 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 surface 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 |
Max resolution | 4592 x 3448 | 4912 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Max enhanced ISO | 25600 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 25 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Total lenses | 107 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 1,040 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle | Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 6.30 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 | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/160 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60i PsF/30p in NTSC models, 50i PsF/25p on PAL), 1280 x 720p (60i PsF/30p in NTSC models, 50i PsF/25p on PAL), 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 file format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | AVCHD |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | 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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 323g (0.71 pounds) | 269g (0.59 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 65 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.5") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 54 | 77 |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.7 | 23.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.6 | 12.7 |
DXO Low light score | 622 | 1079 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 340 pictures | 460 pictures |
Battery style | 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 feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch cost | $326 | $550 |