Panasonic Lumix
DMC-G3
 vs
Sony Alpha
NEX-5

Updated (August, 2011): Compare the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 vs Sony NEX-5N

Sony Alpha NEX-5

80
"The system for manually positioning AF points is quick and easy to use."
dpreview.com | talking about the NEX-5's auto-focus
"High quality video mode"
dpreview.com | talking about the NEX-5's video-quality

Reasons to buy the Sony Alpha NEX-5

Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
920k dots
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
12.2 EV
Startup delay
 Almost no delay when powering up
1000 ms startup delay
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
HDR
 In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Panorama
 In-camera panoramas
Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

63
"For someone considering a camera to improve upon compact digital image quality, the mirrorless interchangeable lens genre is a slam dunk."
digitalcamerareview.com | talking about the DMC-G3's overall-performance
"Otherwise, control placement seems logical and Panasonic has arranged them so as to present little potential for inadvertent activations"
digitalcamerareview.com | talking about the DMC-G3's button-layout

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

Viewfinder
 Great viewfinder
Digital
Touch screen
 Touch screen
Less buttons
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Longest exposure
 Long exposures
60 seconds
Built-in flash
 Built-in flash
External flash not needed

differences

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-G3
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder Digital vs None
Help
 A viewfinder can help save battery life by keeping the screen turned off
Touch screen Has a touch screen Yes vs No
Help
 Fewer buttons to worry about and direct interaction with camera menus
Shutter lag Less shutter lag 293 ms vs 441 ms
Help
 More than 30% less delay when taking photos
Lens availability More lenses available 26 lenses vs 8 lenses
Help
 Around 3.5x more lenses available
True resolution Higher true resolution 15.8 MP vs 14 MP
Help
 Capture more than 10% more detail in your photos
Longest exposure Significantly longer exposures 60s vs 30s
Help
 2x longer exposures
Built-in flash Built-in flash Yes vs No
Help
 A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $499.87 vs $569.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $69 cheaper (more than 10% less)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-G3

Advantages of the Sony NEX-5
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen 920k dots vs 460k dots
Help
 2x higher resolution screen
Overall image quality Better image quality 69.0 vs 56.0
Help
 More than 20% better image quality
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.2 EV vs 10.6 EV
Help
 1.6 f-stops more dynamic range
Color depth Better color depth 22.2 bits vs 21 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 1.2 more bits of color
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera Yes vs No
Help
 Stitches together multiple photos for a wide perspective
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 796 ISO vs 667 ISO
Help
 The NEX-5 has a slight edge (0.3 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Startup delay Significantly less startup delay 1000 ms vs 1400 ms
Help
 Around 30% less delay when turning on
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
 The NEX-5's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Sensor size Larger sensor APS-C 23.4x15.6mm vs Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm
Help
 More than 60% larger sensor
Battery life Longer battery life 330 shots vs 270 shots
Help
 More than 20% more shots per battery charge
Size Significantly smaller 111x59x38 mm vs 115x84x47 mm
Help
 Around 50% smaller
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 7 fps vs 4 fps
Help
 Around 80% faster continuous shooting
Thickness Thinner 1.5" vs 1.9"
Help
 Around 20% thinner
Weight Lighter 287 g vs 336 g
Help
 More than 10% lighter
Sony Alpha NEX-5 Learn more about
the Sony NEX-5
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
63 vs 80
Explain scores
Sony Alpha NEX-5 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Sony Alpha NEX-5.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!
I am considering either the Panasonic DMC-G3 or the Sony NEX-5,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

Select aspects that are most important to you: (max 3)

Popular tags:

Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!
2
votes
by Brad-Jones this month
Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic DMC-G3

I am an expert beginner! I have been interested in photography all my life, with a parent who wo...

8 people recommend the Panasonic DMC-G3:

" Lumix its the best from those choice and U can get cheaper G1 or G2 "

" personally I have not been happy with the olympus's I have used.  I would check amazon or bhphot..."
One person recommends the Olympus E-PM1:

" GF1 or GX1 , because it is the best ;) I have one, beside of my 5D mkII."
2
votes
by Alex-Jenkins last month
Sony DSC-HX9v vs Sony NEX-5

I'm a beginner who's been using an old Nikon D70 for last 7 years - in auto mode only. I want s...
1
votes
by jancasey last month
Nikon D3100 vs Panasonic DMC-G3

Total beginner.  Have only used "point and shoot" cameras before.  Looking for something that wi...

One person recommends the Nikon D3100:

" Without a doubt, the image quality of the Nikon, trumps the Panasonic to a point where the two a..."
1
votes
by Phil-Hand last month
Nikon D5100 vs Sony NEX-5

I am a bit confused. Not hard for an amateur in such a complicated field. I see that the Nikon D51...

One person recommends the Nikon D5100:

"Hi Phil, these are both great cameras. I'd recommend the Nikon D5100 because there are so many mor..."
0
votes
by Ninad-Dabholkar this month
Nikon J1 vs Sony NEX-5

I am more of a beginner than a pro. Same is the case with my wife. We want something that works ...

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
Movie format Both shoot high resolution HD movies Help
1080p @ 30fps
3D 3D photos Help
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
DMC-G3:$499.87
NEX-5:$569.00
External mic jack Neither has an external mic jack Help
Limited to the in-camera mic
Supports 24p No support for 24p Help
Missing that film look
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$598 - $600 body only

$698 - $700 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Startup delay Has much more startup delay
Compare the NEX-5N vs the Lumix DMC-G3
Compare the NEX-5N vs the Alpha NEX-5
Nikon 1 J1

Nikon 1 J1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$547 with 10-30mm lens
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Sensor size Has a marginally smaller sensor
Compare the 1 J1 vs the Lumix DMC-G3
Compare the 1 J1 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$433 body only
Thickness Is thinner
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Screen flips out Doesn't have a screen which flips out
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the Lumix DMC-G3
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX-7

Sony NEX-7

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$1,200 body only

$1,350 - $1,499 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Lowest price Is significantly more expensive
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the NEX-7 vs the Lumix DMC-G3
Compare the NEX-7 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX C3

Sony NEX C3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$548 with 16mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Shutter lag Has slightly more shutter lag
Startup delay Has slightly more startup delay
Compare the NEX C3 vs the Lumix DMC-G3
Compare the NEX C3 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$643 - $1,125 body only

$731 - $964 with 14-42mm lens
Screen flips out Doesn't have a screen which flips out
Startup delay Has significantly more startup delay
Compare the Lumix DMC-GX1 vs the Lumix DMC-G3
Compare the Lumix DMC-GX1 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens
Viewfinder Has higher quality type of viewfinder
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the D3100 vs the Lumix DMC-G3
Compare the D3100 vs the Alpha NEX-5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$849 - $997 with 14-42mm lens
Supports 24p Supports 24p
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Size Much larger
Thickness Much thicker
Compare the Lumix DMC-GH2 vs the Lumix DMC-G3
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$615 - $642 with 14-42mm lens
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Startup delay Significantly less startup delay
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Low light performance More noise at high ISO
Compare the Lumix DMC-G2 vs the Lumix DMC-G3

Sony Alpha NEX-5 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony NEX-F3

Sony NEX-F3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$600 with 18-55mm lens
Supports 24p Supports 24p
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Continuous shooting Shoots slower
Size Larger
Compare the NEX-F3 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony Alpha NEX-3

Sony Alpha NEX-3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$689 with 18-55mm lens
Storage slots Has more storage slots
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Compare the Alpha NEX-3 vs the Alpha NEX-5

appearance

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Sony Alpha NEX-5
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Sony Alpha NEX-5

discussion

Showing 0 comments