• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony NEX-5N advantages over Panasonic GF6

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 3.77 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Better color depth
    23.6 vs 20.7 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,079 vs 622 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.7 vs 10.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 430 vs 340 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 4.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Panasonic GF6 advantages over Sony NEX-5N

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    28 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Fast autofocus and prefocused shutter lag; Quieter shutter sound; Captures 10 frames per second; Supports AVCHD 2.0.

  • Limited first-party lens selection; Slow and confusing on-screen user interface; top-mounted, proprietary accessories are quite pricey.

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-3

Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Panasonic GF6
Sony NEX-3
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Panasonic GF6
Sony NEX-C3
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-5R
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic GF6
Sony NEX-5R
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Olympus E-PL5

Sony NEX-5N
Olympus E-PL5
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Panasonic GF6
Olympus E-PL5
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Better color depth

Compared to Olympus E-PL7

Sony NEX-5N
Olympus E-PL7
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic GF6
Olympus E-PL7
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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