• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Nikon J3

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 2.86 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Higher effective ISO
    618 vs 420 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/160 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon J3 advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $749 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Buy the Panasonic GF5
Kit with 14-42mm Lens
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens
  • Kit with 14-42mm Power Lens
All GF5 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon J3
Nikon J3

Review Excerpt

  • Small body pairs nicely with compact, retractable Power Zoom lens. Extremely fast autofocus. Worthwhile improvements in image quality. Touchscreen overlays can now be hidden.

  • LCD panel is prone to fingerprint smudges. Weak flash, and no hot shoe. Modest burst performance, and very limited buffer for raw shooting. Noise levels and dynamic range still lag competition.

  • Read our Panasonic GF5 Review
  • We haven’t finished our review of the Nikon J3, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
  • See our Nikon J3 First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PL3

Nikon J3
Olympus E-PL3
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon J3 vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PM1
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PM1

Nikon J3
Olympus E-PM1
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Internal flash
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon J3 vs Olympus E-PM1

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic GF3X

Nikon J3
Panasonic GF3X
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon J3 vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Nikon J1

Panasonic GF5
Nikon J1
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Nikon J1

Nikon J3
Nikon J1
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dots on screen
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon J3 vs Nikon J1

Compared to Nikon J2

Panasonic GF5
Nikon J2
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Nikon J2

Nikon J3
Nikon J2
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More pixels
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon J3 vs Nikon J2

Compare Other Cameras?