Sony A5100 vs Panasonic GM5

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Sony A5100 vs Panasonic GM5

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A5100 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A5100 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A5100.
Compare Sony A5100 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A5100 conclusion.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.0 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GM5 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GM5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GM5.
Compare Panasonic GM5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GM5 conclusion.

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Differences

Sony A5100 advantages over Panasonic GM5

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A5100 test data on DxO Mark GM5 test data on DxO Mark

1,347 vs 721 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

400 vs 220 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
75 mm vs 64 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Higher max flash sync
1/160 vs 1/50 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
More pixels
24.3 vs 16.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster RAW shooting
6.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
25 vs 7 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Panasonic GM5 advantages over Sony A5100

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Fast startup
~1.00 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Lighter weight
294g vs 399g
Lighter weight
Higher-res screen
307k vs 230k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read A5100 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GM5 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A5100

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Buy the Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GM5

Review Excerpt

Very small and comfortable form factor; Very good image quality for its class; New dual video record function; Quick autofocus and good dynamic range.
Lacks an EVF and external mode dial; No hot shoe; JPEG processing at higher ISOs not as good as some competing mid-level models.
Read our Sony A5100 Review

Great image quality for a tiny camera; Excellent high ISO for its class; Built-in EVF; Built-in hot-shoe; Improved ergonomics; Improved image quality for long exposures; Improved burst rate with hybrid shutter; 1080/60p video.
Slightly bigger than GM1 (but not by much); No built-in flash; Shallow buffers with RAW files; Dynamic range not quite as good as some competing models; Below average battery life.
Read our Panasonic GM5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX1000

Sony A5100

Samsung NX1000

$348
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$413
APS-C

Higher-res screen
Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1000

Panasonic GM5

Samsung NX1000

$898
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$413
APS-C

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Samsung NX1000

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony A5100

Samsung NX1100

$348
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$450
APS-C

Higher-res screen
Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1100

Panasonic GM5

Samsung NX1100

$898
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$450
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Panasonic GM1

Sony A5100

Panasonic GM1

$348
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-camera panoramas

$479
4/3

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A5100 vs Panasonic GM1

Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GM1

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

$479
4/3

Less expensive
Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic GM1

Compared to Sony A5000

Sony A5100

Sony A5000

$348
APS-C

Touchscreen
Higher effective ISO

$298
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Sony A5100 vs Sony A5000

Panasonic GM5

Sony A5000

$898
4/3

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$298
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Sony A5000

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Sony A5100

Panasonic GF7

$348
APS-C

Larger sensor
NFC

$590
4/3

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A5100 vs Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GF7

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Hot shoe

$590
4/3

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic GF7

Compare Other Cameras?