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Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
91
Imaging
53
Features
62
Overall
56
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs

Panasonic GM5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 211g - 99 x 60 x 36mm
  • Announced September 2014
  • Superseded the Panasonic GM1
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
  • Released August 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-5N
  • Updated by Sony NEX-5T
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Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-5R, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the GM5 (16MP) and the NEX-5R (16MP) is pretty well matched but the GM5 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5R (APS-C) offer totally different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The GM5 was introduced 2 years after the NEX-5R which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise view of how the GM5 matches up versus the NEX-5R in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 GM5 NEX-5R 
ReleasedSeptember 2014August 2012More modern by 25 months
Screen resolution921k920kClearer screen (+1k dot)

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

 NEX-5R GM5 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

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

 GM5 NEX-5R 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic GM5 offers physical dimensions of 99mm x 60mm x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 211 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5R has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-5R in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the GM5 vs the NEX-5R.

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the GM5 and NEX-5R is 91 and 89 respectively.

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

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes merely by reading through technical specs. The image here might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the GM5 and NEX-5R.

As you have seen, both cameras provide the same MP albeit not the same sensor sizes. The GM5 contains the tinier sensor which should make getting shallower depth of field more challenging. The younger GM5 will have an advantage in sensor technology.

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GM5
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5R
71
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
exports RAW files
74
you can focus manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Street photography advice
Sony NEX-5R Street photography advice
76
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
features focus by touch
lighter than others in class (211g)
great ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
80
tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
very good high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GM5
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5R
48
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/500 seconds)
continuous shooting slow (5.8 fps)
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery power (220 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
68
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-5R Travel photography details
71
lighter than others in class (211 grams)
features focus by touch
MP count good (16MP)
not so great battery power (220 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
73
boasts focus by touch
decent MP (16MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Landscape photography highlights
Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography highlights
69
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery power (220 per charge)
75
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Vlogging highlights
Sony NEX-5R Vlogging highlights
34
touch screen
comes with face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (211 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
lack of microphone support
31
built-in touchscreen
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing external mic port
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Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GM5 and Sony NEX-5R
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2014-09-15 2012-08-29
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 dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface 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
Full resolution 4592 x 3448 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 99
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Amount of lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/500 secs 1/4000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 5.8 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes 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
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 211 grams (0.47 pounds) 276 grams (0.61 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 60 x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 66 78
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 13.1
DXO Low light rating 721 910
Other
Battery life 220 pictures 330 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DMW-BLH7 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $966 $750