Clicky

Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
90
Imaging
54
Features
66
Overall
58
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
69
Overall
61

Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Panasonic GF7
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1/16000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 266g - 107 x 65 x 33mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Old Model is Panasonic GF6
  • Renewed by Panasonic GF8
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Revealed October 2011
  • Earlier Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-5R
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Below is a comprehensive overview of the Panasonic GF7 versus Sony NEX-5N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the GF7 (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is pretty close but the GF7 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5N (APS-C) provide different sensor sizes.

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

The GF7 was released 3 years later than the NEX-5N and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going right into a thorough comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the GF7 scores against the NEX-5N in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF7 over the Sony NEX-5N

 GF7 NEX-5N 
RevealedFebruary 2015October 2011More recent by 41 months
Screen resolution1040k920kCrisper screen (+120k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Panasonic GF7

 NEX-5N GF7 

Common features in the Panasonic GF7 and Sony NEX-5N

 GF7 NEX-5N 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GF7 has got outer dimensions of 107mm x 65mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") with a weight of 266 grams (0.59 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5N has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic GF7 versus Sony NEX-5N in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the GF7 against the NEX-5N.

Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the GF7 and NEX-5N is 90 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to imagine the difference in sensor measurements purely by researching specs. The visual below should give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the GF7 and NEX-5N.

All in all, the 2 cameras provide the same resolution albeit different sensor measurements. The GF7 contains the smaller sensor which is going to make getting bokeh tougher. The younger GF7 provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF7 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Portrait photography camera
65
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
74
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
exports RAW files
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Street Comparison

Panasonic GF7 Street photography features
Sony NEX-5N Street photography features
80
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
offers touch to focus
good high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
80
tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
comes with focus by touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GF7
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5N
52
great max shutter speed (1/16,000s)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
low frames per second (5.8 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
58
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery power (460 CIPA)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF7 Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography advice
70
offers touch to focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
bad battery life (230 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly display
71
better than average battery power (460 per charge)
comes with focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF7 Landscape photography features
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography features
69
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
71
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (460 CIPA)
no image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF7 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Vlogging camera
33
touch screen
has face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
does not have external mic jack
33
has touchscreen
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have microphone port
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF7 and Sony NEX-5N
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2015-02-01 2011-10-03
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3448 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Available lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/16000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 5.8 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, flash off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 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
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 266 grams (0.59 lbs) 269 grams (0.59 lbs)
Physical dimensions 107 x 65 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 77
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.7
DXO Low light score not tested 1079
Other
Battery life 230 photos 460 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3-shot/10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $308 $550