Sony NEX-5N vs Panasonic GH4

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Sony NEX-5N vs Panasonic GH4

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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
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH4 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GH4 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GH4.
Compare Panasonic GH4 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GH4 conclusion.

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

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5
Compare GH4 vs GH5

Compare SONY NEX-5R vs PANASONIC GH5

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Differences

Sony NEX-5N advantages over Panasonic GH4

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.82 vs 3.75 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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 GH4 test data on DxO Mark

1,079 vs 791 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
38 mm vs 83 mm
Thinner

Panasonic GH4 advantages over Sony NEX-5N

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
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) 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
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

530 vs 430 shots
Capture more photos
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
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
12.8 fps vs 10.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 7 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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

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
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

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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

Excellent still image quality for its class; Fantastic, highly-detailed video quality; Superior video recording chops with 4K video (both Cinema 4K and Ultra HD); Responsive all-around performer with great AF performance and burst shooting; Rolling shutter is minimal with 60p and 30p video; Splash- and dust-proof magnesium alloy body; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.
High ISO performance not as good as some APS-C models (IQ drops quickly past ISO 3200); Overall still image quality not significantly better than the GH3; Sluggish buffer clearing with RAW files; Rolling shutter noticeable on 4K video; Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras.
Read our Panasonic GH4 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 GH4

Sony NEX-3

$998
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH4 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 GH4

Sony NEX-C3

$998
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$559
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH4 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 GH4

Sony NEX-5R

$998
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Sony NEX-5N

Panasonic GH3

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$798
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Panasonic GH3

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3

$998
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$798
4/3

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Sony NEX-5N

Olympus E-M1

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1099
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-M1

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$1099
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Olympus E-M1

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