• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A200 advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.12 vs 4.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 750 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 84 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    8 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Sony DSLR-A200

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Higher effective ISO
    618 vs 521 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 71 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k 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
    12.1 vs 10.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.0 fps vs 2.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • 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

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Buy the Panasonic GF5

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.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K200D

Sony DSLR-A200
Pentax K200D
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Panasonic GF5
Pentax K200D
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Nikon D60

Sony DSLR-A200
Nikon D60
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Panasonic GF5
Nikon D60
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony DSLR-A300

Sony DSLR-A200
Sony DSLR-A300
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Panasonic GF5
Sony DSLR-A300
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Sony DSLR-A200
Olympus E-PL3
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tiltable Screen
Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Sony DSLR-A200
Panasonic GF3X
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3
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