• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Panasonic G10 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sony NEX-5N advantages over Panasonic G10

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Better color depth
    23.6 vs 21.2 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,079 vs 411 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.7 vs 10.1 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 74 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

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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 Panasonic G2

Panasonic G10
Panasonic G2
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
Sony NEX-5N
Panasonic G2
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Panasonic G10
Sony NEX-C3
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas
Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Panasonic G5

Panasonic G10
Panasonic G5
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
Sony NEX-5N
Panasonic G5
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Panasonic G10
Sony NEX-5R
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-5R
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Panasonic G6

Panasonic G10
Panasonic G6
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Sony NEX-5N
Panasonic G6
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
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