Updated (November, 2011): Compare the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 vs Sony NEX-5N

Sony Alpha NEX-5
Winner
Sony Alpha NEX-5

71

vs
     
 

Reasons to buy the Sony Alpha NEX-5

Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
920k dots
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
12.2 EV
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
HDR
 In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
 

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Thickness
 Thin
1.4"
Longest exposure
 Long exposures
60 seconds
Built-in flash
 Built-in flash
External flash not needed
 
Differences | Recommendations | Cast your vote | Similarities | Competitors | Appearance | Discussion

differences

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-GF1

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Shutter lag Significantly less shutter lag 409 ms vs 670 ms
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 Around 40% less delay when taking photos
Lens availability More lenses available 40 lenses vs 21 lenses
Help
 More than 90% more lenses available
Battery life Longer battery life 400 shots vs 330 shots
Help
 More than 20% more shots per battery charge
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
Longest exposure Longer exposures 60s vs 30s
Help
 2x longer exposures
Thickness Slightly thinner 1.4" vs 1.5"
Help
 Almost the same
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-GF1

Advantages of the Sony NEX-5

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Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps
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 Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.2 EV vs 10.3 EV
Help
 1.9 f-stops more dynamic range
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 69.0 vs 54.0
Help
 Around 30% better image quality
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen 920k dots vs 460k dots
Help
 2x higher resolution screen
Color depth Better color depth 22.2 bits vs 21.2 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 1 more bits of color
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera Yes vs No
Help
 Stitches together multiple photos for a wide perspective
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen Yes vs No
Help
 Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 796 ISO vs 513 ISO
Help
 The NEX-5 has a slight edge (0.6 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The NEX-5's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
Sensor size Larger sensor APS-C 23.4x15.6mm vs Four thirds 18.0x13.5mm
Help
 More than 50% larger sensor
Startup delay Less startup delay 1000 ms vs 1400 ms
Help
 Around 30% less delay when turning on
True resolution Higher true resolution 14 MP vs 12 MP
Help
 Capture around 20% more detail in your photos
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 7 fps vs 3 fps
Help
 Around 2.5x faster continuous shooting
Size Smaller 111x59x38 mm vs 119x71x36 mm
Help
 Around 20% smaller
Weight Lighter 287 g vs 330 g
Help
 More than 10% lighter
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $579.99 vs $849.99
Help
 The best price we've seen is $270 cheaper (more than 30% less)
Sony Alpha NEX-5 Learn more about
the Sony NEX-5
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recommendations

Which camera do we recommend? Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

Snapsort Recommends
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 36
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        71 Sony Alpha NEX-5 Sony Alpha NEX-5
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              similarities

              Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

              Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
              External flash Each supports an external flash Help
              Better lighting
              Light sensitivity (boost) No boost ISO Help
              Lacks boost light sensitivity
              Fastest shutter speed Slow max shutter speed Help
              1/4000 of a second
              Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
              0
              Supports 24p No support for 24p Help
              Missing that film look
              Touch screen No touchscreens Help
              More buttons
              Focus points Few focus points Help
              DMC-GF1:23
              NEX-5:25
              True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
              DMC-GF1:12 MP
              NEX-5:14 MP
              Viewfinder No viewfinders Help
              Can only preview photos on the screen
              External mic jack Neither has an external mic jack Help
              Limited to the in-camera mic
              Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
              Risk of blur

              dxomark

              DXOMark

              competitors

              Shared Competitors

              Advantages

              Disadvantages
              Sony Alpha NEX-3

              Sony Alpha NEX-3

              Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

              $355 body only

              $696 with 16-50mm lens
              External mic jack Has an external mic jack
              Storage slots Has more storage slots
              Shutter lag Has significantly more shutter lag
              Compare the Alpha NEX-3 vs the Lumix DMC-GF1
              Compare the Alpha NEX-3 vs the Alpha NEX-5
              Canon Rebel T3i

              Canon Rebel T3i

              Entry-level DSLR

              $490 - $500 body only

              $549 - $616 with 18-55mm lens
              Viewfinder Has a viewfinder
              True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
              Thickness Is thicker
              Weight Is much heavier
              Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Lumix DMC-GF1
              Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Alpha NEX-5
              Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

              Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

              Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

              $320 - $515 with 14-42mm lens
              Touch screen Has a touch screen
              Shutter lag Has slightly less shutter lag
              External flash Doesn't support an external flash
              Startup delay Has slightly more startup delay
              Compare the Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the Lumix DMC-GF1
              Compare the Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the Alpha NEX-5
              Nikon 1 J1

              Nikon 1 J1

              Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

              $239 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-GF1
              Compare the 1 J1 vs the Alpha NEX-5
              Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

              Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

              Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

              $466 - $650 body only

              $290 - $555 with 14-42mm lens
              Touch screen Has a touch screen
              Compare the Lumix DMC-GF2 vs the Lumix DMC-GF1
              Compare the Lumix DMC-GF2 vs the Alpha NEX-5
              Fujifilm FinePix X100

              Fujifilm FinePix X100

              Boutique

              $853 - $900
              Viewfinder Has a viewfinder
              Focus points Has slightly more focus points
              Thickness Is thicker
              Size Is significantly larger
              Compare the FinePix X100 vs the Lumix DMC-GF1
              Compare the FinePix X100 vs the Alpha NEX-5
              Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100

              Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100

              Pro digicam

              $470 - $548
              Screen resolution Has a slightly higher resolution screen
              Image stabilization Has image stabilization
              Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
              External flash Doesn't support an external flash
              Compare the Cybershot DSC-RX100 vs the Lumix DMC-GF1
              Compare the Cybershot DSC-RX100 vs the Alpha NEX-5

              Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Competitors

              Advantages

              Disadvantages
              Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

              Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

              Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

              $384 - $399 body only

              $521 with 14-42mm lens
              Movie format Higher resolution movies
              Touch screen Has a touch screen
              Battery life Shorter battery life
              Sensor type Has a CCD-family sensor
              Compare the Lumix DMC-GX1 vs the Lumix DMC-GF1
              Panasonic GX7

              Panasonic GX7

              Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

              $969 - $1,099 body only

              $1,098 - $1,099 with 14-42mm lens
              Movie format Higher resolution movies
              Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
              Battery life Shorter battery life
              Sensor type Has a CCD-family sensor
              Compare the GX7 vs the Lumix DMC-GF1
              Olympus PEN E-PL1

              Olympus PEN E-PL1

              Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

              $285 with 14-42mm lens
              Image stabilization Image stabilization
              Color depth Better color depth
              Shutter lag Much more shutter lag
              Screen size Smaller screen
              Compare the PEN E-PL1 vs the Lumix DMC-GF1
              Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

              Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

              Pro digicam

              $398 - $399
              Movie format Higher resolution movies
              Image stabilization Image stabilization
              Startup delay Much more startup delay
              Low light performance More noise at high ISO
              Compare the Lumix DMC-LX7 vs the Lumix DMC-GF1
              Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

              Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

              Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

              $748 with 12-32mm lens
              Movie format Higher resolution movies
              Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
              Battery life Much shorter battery life
              Sensor type Has a CCD-family sensor
              Compare the Lumix DMC-GM1 vs the Lumix DMC-GF1

              Sony Alpha NEX-5 Competitors

              Advantages

              Disadvantages
              Sony Alpha NEX-6

              Sony Alpha NEX-6

              Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

              $598 - $625 body only

              $695 - $748 with 16-50mm lens
              Viewfinder Has a viewfinder
              Autofocus Faster autofocus
              3D Doesn't take 3D photos
              Size Larger
              Compare the Alpha NEX-6 vs the Alpha NEX-5
              Sony NEX-5N

              Sony NEX-5N

              Mirrorless interchangeable-lens
              Shutter lag Much less shutter lag
              Supports 24p Supports 24p
              Startup delay Significantly more startup delay
              Compare the NEX-5N vs the Alpha NEX-5
              Sony NEX-7

              Sony NEX-7

              Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

              $948 - $1,381 body only

              $1,098 with 18-55mm lens
              Viewfinder Has a viewfinder
              Overall image quality Better image quality
              Startup delay Slightly more startup delay
              Weight Heavier
              Compare the NEX-7 vs the Alpha NEX-5
              Sony Alpha NEX-3N

              Sony Alpha NEX-3N

              Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

              $300 body only

              $398 - $440 with 16-50mm lens
              Image stabilization Image stabilization
              Supports 24p Supports 24p
              Screen resolution Significantly lower resolution screen
              Startup delay Significantly more startup delay
              Compare the Alpha NEX-3N vs the Alpha NEX-5
              Canon EOS M

              Canon EOS M

              Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

              $245 body only

              $325 with 18-55mm lens
              External mic jack Has an external mic jack
              Supports 24p Supports 24p
              Startup delay Much more startup delay
              Dynamic range Less dynamic range
              Compare the EOS M vs the Alpha NEX-5

              appearance

              Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Sony Alpha NEX-5
              Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Sony Alpha NEX-5
              Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Sony Alpha NEX-5

              discussion

              Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
              Lumix DMC-GF1
              Panasonic

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              Sony Alpha NEX-5
              Alpha NEX-5
              Sony

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