Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5N
90 Imaging
53 Features
66 Overall
58


89 Imaging
56 Features
69 Overall
61
Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5N Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7 & Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The complete galleries are provided at Panasonic GF7 Gallery & Sony NEX-5N Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF7 over the Sony NEX-5N
GF7 | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2015 | ![]() | October 2011 | More recent by 41 months |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 920k | Crisper 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 type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7 | Sony 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 |