Sony NEX-7 vs Panasonic GH5

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Sony NEX-7 vs Panasonic GH5

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony NEX-7 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the NEX-7.

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH5 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GH5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GH5.
Compare Panasonic GH5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GH5 conclusion.

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Differences

Sony NEX-7 advantages over Panasonic GH5

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.92 vs 3.34 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-7 test data on DxO Mark GH5 test data on DxO Mark

1,016 vs 807 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
42 mm vs 87 mm
Thinner
More pixels
24.3 vs 20.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic GH5 advantages over Sony NEX-7

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
8 years vs 13 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
405k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.22 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
11.9 fps vs 10.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
600 vs 18 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.9 fps vs 10.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
65 vs 13 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (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
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 16000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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

NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NEX-7 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH5 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony NEX-7

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All NEX-7 Deals

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Buy the Panasonic GH5

Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaking Kit
Kit with 12-60mm lens

All GH5 Deals

Review Excerpt

24.3-megapixel sensor with excellent image quality; Small body; Exceptional user interface; Full HD 60p video; Electronic viewfinder and flash are built-in.
No Mode dial; Flash sync is a touch slow; No UHS-I card support; Needs a better kit lens to match the sensor quality.
Read our Sony NEX-7 Review

20MP sensor; Better per-pixel sharpness; Very good, slightly improved dynamic range and high ISOs; Stellar 4K video up to 60p with no crop; 6K Photo; Dual UHS-II SD slots; Good battery life for its class.
Buffer is deep, but slow to clear; Expensive; Menus still confusing; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.
Read our Panasonic GH5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX200

Sony NEX-7

Samsung NX200

$1248
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$600
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Sony NEX-7 vs Samsung NX200

Panasonic GH5

Samsung NX200

$1348
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Samsung NX200

Compared to Fujifilm X-E1

Sony NEX-7

Fujifilm X-E1

$1248
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Fast startup

$899
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Doesn't require an AA filter

Compare Sony NEX-7 vs Fujifilm X-E1

Panasonic GH5

Fujifilm X-E1

$1348
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Fujifilm X-E1

Compared to Samsung NX300

Sony NEX-7

Samsung NX300

$1248
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$1200
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Sony NEX-7 vs Samsung NX300

Panasonic GH5

Samsung NX300

$1348
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$1200
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Samsung NX300

Compared to Panasonic G9

Sony NEX-7

Panasonic G9

$1248
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$965
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony NEX-7 vs Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G9

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

$965
4/3

High resolution composite
Top deck display

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G9

Compared to Panasonic G95

Sony NEX-7

Panasonic G95

$1248
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$848
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Sony NEX-7 vs Panasonic G95

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G95

$1348
4/3

Slower slow-motion
Longer stills battery life

$848
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G95

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