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Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
90
Imaging
54
Features
66
Overall
58
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs

Panasonic GF7
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1/16000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 266g - 107 x 65 x 33mm
  • Announced February 2015
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GF6
  • Newer Model is Panasonic GF8
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sony NEX-5N
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-5T
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Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Panasonic GF7 and Sony NEX-5R, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the GF7 (16MP) and the NEX-5R (16MP) is relatively similar but the GF7 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5R (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizing.

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The GF7 was launched 2 years later than the NEX-5R and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting into a thorough comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the GF7 matches up versus the NEX-5R in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 GF7 NEX-5R 
IntroducedFebruary 2015August 2012More recent by 30 months
Screen resolution1040k920kClearer screen (+120k dot)

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

 NEX-5R GF7 

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

 GF7 NEX-5R 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic GF7 features 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) while the Sony NEX-5R has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic GF7 and Sony NEX-5R in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the GF7 against the NEX-5R.

Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GF7 and NEX-5R is 90 and 89 respectively.

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

Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to envision the gap between sensor measurements purely by reading specs. The photograph here will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the GF7 and NEX-5R.

As you can plainly see, both cameras feature the identical megapixel count albeit not the same sensor measurements. The GF7 offers the tinier sensor which will make achieving shallower depth of field trickier. The fresher GF7 will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF7 Portrait photography advice
Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography advice
65
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic GF7 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Street photography camera
80
screen tilts
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
includes focus via touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
80
screen tilts
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF7 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Sports photography camera
52
max shutter speed is good (1/16,000s)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.8 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery life (230 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
68
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
comes with phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GF7
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5R
70
includes focus via touch
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
not so great battery life (230 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly display
73
provides focus via touch
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF7 Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography advice
69
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery life (230 per charge)
75
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF7 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Vlogging camera
33
screen is touchscreen
supports face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external mic socket
31
touchscreen
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
does not have microphone socket
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Panasonic GF7 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF7 and Sony NEX-5R
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2015-02-01 2012-08-29
Physical type 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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4592 x 3448 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 23 99
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Available lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/16000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.8fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options 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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 266 grams (0.59 pounds) 276 grams (0.61 pounds)
Physical dimensions 107 x 65 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 910
Other
Battery life 230 photographs 330 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3-shot/10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $308 $750