Sony NEX-5N vs Panasonic G85

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Sony NEX-5N vs Panasonic G85

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APS-C 369.7mm²
16.1 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Sony NEX-5N Review.
See real-world photos taken with the NEX-5N.

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic G85 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic G85 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G85.
Compare Panasonic G85 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic G85 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony NEX-5R
Compare NEX-5N vs NEX-5R

Succeeded by the Panasonic G95
Compare G85 vs G95

Compare SONY NEX-5R vs PANASONIC G95

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Differences

Sony NEX-5N advantages over Panasonic G85

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)
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.
NEX-5N test data on DxO Mark G85 test data on DxO Mark

1,079 vs 656 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

430 vs 330 shots
Capture more photos
Thinner
38 mm vs 74 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
465g vs 728g
Lighter weight
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic G85 advantages over Sony NEX-5N

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
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
More telephoto lens reach
120 mm vs 83 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
8 years vs 13 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 7 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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

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
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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Adorama
Read NEX-5N User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G85 User Reviews

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Kit with 12-60mm Lens (Black)

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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.
Read our Sony NEX-5N Review

Very good image quality; Very good high ISO performance and dynamic range; Fast and accurate autofocus; Excellent 4K video recording quality and features.
OLPF-less sensor is prone to moiré; Electronic viewfinder struggles in low light; Continuous autofocus is limited to 6fps shooting; Below average battery life.
Read our Panasonic G85 Review

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

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-3

Panasonic G85

Sony NEX-3

$631
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Sony NEX-3

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

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-C3

Panasonic G85

Sony NEX-C3

$631
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$559
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Sony NEX-C3

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

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-5R

Panasonic G85

Sony NEX-5R

$631
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Sony NEX-5N

Olympus E-M1 II

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic G85

Olympus E-M1 II

$631
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Compared to Panasonic G95

Sony NEX-5N

Panasonic G95

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$848
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Panasonic G95

Panasonic G85

Panasonic G95

$631
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger RAW buffer

$848
4/3

Built-in Bluetooth
Newer

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Panasonic G95

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