• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Sony QX1

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $430 vs $498*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 52 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.0 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Sony QX1 advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Better color depth
    23.8 vs 21.4 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,063 vs 618 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.8 vs 11.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 440 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    15 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

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

Common Weaknesses

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

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 Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
Sony QX1
Olympus E-PL3
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Lens selection

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PM1
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Hot shoe
Sony QX1
Olympus E-PM1
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Lens selection

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3
Sony QX1
Panasonic GF3X
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Lens selection

Compared to Samsung NX2000

Panasonic GF5
Samsung NX2000
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Internal flash
  • $680
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony QX1
Samsung NX2000
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $680
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Samsung NX3300

Panasonic GF5
Samsung NX3300
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $550
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas
Sony QX1
Samsung NX3300
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $550
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • In-camera panoramas
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