Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-C3
91 Imaging
53 Features
62 Overall
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91 Imaging
56 Features
57 Overall
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Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-C3 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
- Superseded the Panasonic GM1
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
- Launched August 2011
- Older Model is Sony NEX-3
- Updated by Sony NEX-F3

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview
Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic GM5 versus Sony NEX-C3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the GM5 (16MP) and the NEX-C3 (16MP) is very well matched but the GM5 (Four Thirds) and NEX-C3 (APS-C) provide different sensor dimensions.

The GM5 was revealed 3 years later than the NEX-C3 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before going right into a full comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the GM5 matches up versus the NEX-C3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 and Sony Alpha NEX-C3. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic GM5 Gallery and Sony NEX-C3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic GM5 over the Sony NEX-C3
GM5 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | September 2014 | ![]() | August 2011 | Fresher by 38 months |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Clearer display (+1k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Panasonic GM5
NEX-C3 | GM5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Panasonic GM5 and Sony NEX-C3
GM5 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen |
Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison
When you are planning to carry your camera often, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GM5 has external dimensions of 99mm x 60mm x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 211 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Sony NEX-C3 has measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).
Take a look at the Panasonic GM5 versus Sony NEX-C3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the GM5 compared to the NEX-C3.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GM5 and NEX-C3 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it's difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizing purely by reading through specs. The graphic underneath may offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the GM5 and NEX-C3.
As you can plainly see, both of those cameras provide the same megapixel count but different sensor sizing. The GM5 has the tinier sensor which will make obtaining shallower depth of field harder. The more modern GM5 provides a benefit in sensor innovation.

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2014-09-15 | 2011-08-22 |
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 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4592 x 3448 | 4912 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Min boosted ISO | 100 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 23 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Amount of lenses | 107 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 921 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 1,166 thousand dot | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | - |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/500 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Highest quiet shutter speed | 1/16000 seconds | - |
Continuous shooting speed | 5.8 frames per sec | 6.0 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 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 |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | - | 1/160 seconds |
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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 211 gr (0.47 lb) | 225 gr (0.50 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 99 x 60 x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") | 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 66 | 73 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.1 | 22.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.7 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light rating | 721 | 1083 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 220 shots | 400 shots |
Form of battery | 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, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $966 | $343 |