Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-3
91 Imaging
53 Features
62 Overall
56


89 Imaging
54 Features
55 Overall
54
Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 211g - 99 x 60 x 36mm
- Revealed September 2014
- Replaced the Panasonic GM1
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Introduced June 2010
- Successor is Sony NEX-C3

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview
On this page, we are comparing the Panasonic GM5 versus Sony NEX-3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the GM5 (16MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is very similar but the GM5 (Four Thirds) and NEX-3 (APS-C) boast different sensor measurements.

The GM5 was launched 4 years later than the NEX-3 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before diving straight to a full comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the GM5 scores vs the NEX-3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic GM5 Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic GM5 over the Sony NEX-3
GM5 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | September 2014 | ![]() | June 2010 | Fresher by 53 months |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Crisper display (+1k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Panasonic GM5
NEX-3 | GM5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Panasonic GM5 and Sony NEX-3
GM5 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen |
Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to carry your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GM5 provides outside dimensions of 99mm x 60mm x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 211 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3 has measurements of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Take a look at the Panasonic GM5 versus Sony NEX-3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the GM5 vs the NEX-3.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GM5 and NEX-3 is 91 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizing only by reading specs. The visual below will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the GM5 and NEX-3.
As you can plainly see, each of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The GM5 due to its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF more challenging and the Panasonic GM5 will offer you extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The newer GM5 should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2014-09-15 | 2010-06-07 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | 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 surface area | 224.9mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4592 x 3448 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 200 |
RAW support | ||
Minimum boosted ISO | 100 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 23 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Amount of lenses | 107 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 921 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display tech | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 1,166 thousand dot | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/500s | 1/4000s |
Maximum quiet shutter speed | 1/16000s | - |
Continuous shooting speed | 5.8 frames per second | 7.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4 |
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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 211 grams (0.47 lbs) | 297 grams (0.65 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 99 x 60 x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 66 | 68 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.1 | 22.1 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.7 | 12.0 |
DXO Low light score | 721 | 830 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 220 photographs | 330 photographs |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | DMW-BLH7 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $966 | $0 |