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Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
91
Imaging
54
Features
62
Overall
57
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
69
Overall
61

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-5N 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
  • Announced September 2014
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GM1
Sony NEX-5N
(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
  • Introduced October 2011
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-5R
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Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Panasonic GM5 versus Sony NEX-5N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the GM5 (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is relatively comparable but the GM5 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5N (APS-C) posses different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The GM5 was announced 2 years after the NEX-5N which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a short summation of how the GM5 grades against the NEX-5N with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GM5 over the Sony NEX-5N

 GM5 NEX-5N 
IntroducedSeptember 2014October 2011More modern by 36 months
Screen resolution921k920kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Panasonic GM5

 NEX-5N GM5 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Panasonic GM5 and Sony NEX-5N

 GM5 NEX-5N 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GM5 features exterior 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-5N has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

See the Panasonic GM5 versus Sony NEX-5N in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use at the time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the GM5 versus the NEX-5N.

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GM5 and NEX-5N is 91 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes merely by seeing technical specs. The picture below might offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GM5 and NEX-5N.

As you can tell, both of these cameras feature the identical megapixels albeit different sensor sizes. The GM5 has got the smaller sensor which should make achieving bokeh tougher. The newer GM5 provides an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Portrait photography information
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography information
72
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GM5
Street photography with Sony NEX-5N
76
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
comes with touch focus
lighter than others (211g)
very good ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
80
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
offers focus via touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Sports photography info
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography info
49
quiet shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/500 seconds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.8 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery power (220 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
58
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery life (460 shots)
no image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography details
71
lighter than others (211g)
comes with touch focus
good megapixels (16MP)
bad battery power (220 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
71
better than average battery life (460 per charge)
offers focus via touch
MP count good (16MP)
lack of Time Lapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography information
69
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
bad battery power (220 CIPA)
71
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (460 shots)
no image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Vlogging details
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging details
35
screen is touchscreen
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (211 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have microphone port
33
touchscreen enabled
has face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
lack of external mic socket
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Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GM5 and Sony NEX-5N
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2014-09-15 2011-10-03
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
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 25600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
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
Amount of lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 1,166k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 5.8fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
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 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD AVCHD
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 211 gr (0.47 lb) 269 gr (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 99 x 60 x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 66 77
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 12.7
DXO Low light score 721 1079
Other
Battery life 220 photographs 460 photographs
Battery type 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 feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $966 $550