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Panasonic GM1 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
93
Imaging
53
Features
60
Overall
55
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
69
Overall
61

Panasonic GM1 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Panasonic GM1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 204g - 99 x 55 x 30mm
  • Released December 2013
  • Successor is Panasonic GM5
Sony NEX-5N
(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
  • Announced October 2011
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-5
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-5R
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Panasonic GM1 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Panasonic GM1 versus Sony NEX-5N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the GM1 (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is fairly close but the GM1 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5N (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizing.

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The GM1 was brought out 2 years later than the NEX-5N and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief summary of how the GM1 grades vs the NEX-5N when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GM1 over the Sony NEX-5N

 GM1 NEX-5N 
AnnouncedDecember 2013October 2011More recent by 27 months
Display resolution1036k920kCrisper display (+116k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Panasonic GM1

 NEX-5N GM1 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Panasonic GM1 and Sony NEX-5N

 GM1 NEX-5N 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Panasonic GM1 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GM1 has outer dimensions of 99mm x 55mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 204 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5N has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic GM1 versus Sony NEX-5N in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at the time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the GM1 compared to the NEX-5N.

Panasonic GM1 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GM1 and NEX-5N is 93 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic GM1 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GM1 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to see the gap in sensor measurements only by viewing a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the GM1 and NEX-5N.

Clearly, the 2 cameras feature the identical megapixels but not the same sensor measurements. The GM1 has got the smaller sensor which is going to make achieving shallow DOF more difficult. The more modern GM1 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic GM1 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Panasonic GM1 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GM1 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Portrait photography info
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography info
65
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
74
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Street photography highlights
Sony NEX-5N Street photography highlights
77
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
supports focus by touch
lighter than competition (204 grams)
good ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
80
tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
supports focus by touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Sports photography info
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography info
48
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/500 seconds)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
58
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good battery (460 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GM1
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5N
74
lighter than competition (204 grams)
supports focus by touch
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
bad battery life (230 shots)
does not contain selfie friendly display
71
good battery (460 per charge)
supports focus by touch
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography advice
69
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
71
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
good battery (460 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Vlogging highlights
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging highlights
35
touchscreen functionality
comes with face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (204g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
no microphone jack
33
touchscreen enabled
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of microphone socket
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Panasonic GM1 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GM1 and Sony NEX-5N
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2013-12-19 2011-10-03
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - 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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4592 x 3448 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Total lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,036k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 5.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/50 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 24p), 1280 x 720p (60p, 50p), 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 Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 204 gr (0.45 pounds) 269 gr (0.59 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 55 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 66 77
DXO Color Depth score 22.3 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 12.7
DXO Low light score 660 1079
Other
Battery life 230 images 460 images
Battery type 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 shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $750 $550