• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony NEX-5 advantages over Panasonic GX850

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 3.77 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    796 vs 586 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    83 mm vs 64 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/160 vs 1/50 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic GX850 advantages over Sony NEX-5

  • 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
  • Less expensive
    $550 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Newer
    7 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    336g vs 502g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.23 vs 0.44 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.3 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    114 vs 38 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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
  • 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 GX850

Review Excerpt

  • Impressive image quality; Sleek design; 4K video recording; Good overall performance; Tilting touchscreen; Enjoyable user experience.

  • No EVF; No hot shoe, Short 4K clip limit; MicroSD card slot, Poor battery life.

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-3

Sony NEX-5
Sony NEX-3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
Panasonic GX850
Sony NEX-3
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Samsung NX100

Sony NEX-5
Samsung NX100
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Panasonic GX850
Samsung NX100
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
Panasonic GX850
Sony NEX-C3
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Sony NEX-5
Panasonic GM5
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic GX850
Panasonic GM5
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Sony NEX-5
Panasonic GF7
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic GX850
Panasonic GF7
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
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