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Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
91
Imaging
53
Features
62
Overall
56
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
52
Overall
55

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-3N Key Specs

Panasonic GM5
(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
Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Released February 2013
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-F3
  • Refreshed by Sony a5000
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Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-3N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the GM5 (16MP) and the NEX-3N (16MP) is relatively close but the GM5 (Four Thirds) and NEX-3N (APS-C) boast different sensor sizes.

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The GM5 was launched 19 months later than the NEX-3N which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise view of how the GM5 matches up vs the NEX-3N with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GM5 over the Sony NEX-3N

 GM5 NEX-3N 
ReleasedSeptember 2014February 2013Fresher by 19 months
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Panasonic GM5

 NEX-3N GM5 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Panasonic GM5 and Sony NEX-3N

 GM5 NEX-3N 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic GM5 provides outside dimensions of 99mm x 60mm x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 211 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3N has specifications of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-3N in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the GM5 versus the NEX-3N.

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

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

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing only by researching specifications. The photograph underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GM5 and NEX-3N.

Plainly, both of those cameras have the same megapixels albeit different sensor sizing. The GM5 includes the smaller sensor which will make obtaining shallower DOF more difficult. The newer GM5 should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Portrait photography information
Sony NEX-3N Portrait photography information
71
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
66
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GM5
Street photography with Sony NEX-3N
76
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
comes with touch focus
lighter than competition (211 grams)
above average ISO range (25,600)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
77
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Sports photography details
Sony NEX-3N Sports photography details
48
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/500s)
very slow continuous shooting (5.8 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low battery (220 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
53
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery life (480 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GM5
Travel photography with Sony NEX-3N
71
lighter than competition (211 grams)
comes with touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
low battery (220 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
better than average battery life (480 per charge)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GM5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Landscape photography camera
69
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
low battery (220 CIPA)
70
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (480 shots)
no image stabilization
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Vlogging advice
Sony NEX-3N Vlogging advice
34
screen is touchscreen
supports face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (211 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no external microphone socket
28
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
no microphone port
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Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GM5 and Sony NEX-3N
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5Sony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2014-09-15 2013-02-25
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 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3448 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 25600 16000
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Available lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/500 secs 1/4000 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 5.8fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
Flash options Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
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 211g (0.47 lbs) 269g (0.59 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 60 x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 66 74
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 12.5
DXO Low light score 721 1067
Other
Battery life 220 shots 480 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model DMW-BLH7 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $966 $399