Sony Alpha NEX-5, Panasonic DMC-GF1, Samsung NX10: key differences
The most starling thing about the NEX5 is just how small it is.
None of these are big cameras but Sony has succeeded in the seemingly impossible - squeezing an APS-C sized sensor and large, articulated screen into a body that is significantly smaller than the GF1.
Once you include the grip and the lens mount that stick forward
from the wafer-thin body, the size advantage is reduced but it's still a tiny camera by any real-world measure and Sony should be applauded for an astonishing piece of engineering.
NEX-5 advantages over GF1:
- Smaller size
- Larger sensor
- 1080i AVCHD video recording
- Higher resolution LCD screen (921k dots)
- Screen can be tilted up to 80 degrees
- Faster continuous shooting (albeit with focus locked)
- Greater resolution sensor, higher maximum ISO (12,800)
NEX-5 advantages over NX10:
- Smaller size
- Tilting screen
- Faster continuous shooting (albeit with focus locked)
- Dedicated video recording button
- Provision for external microphone (via accessory socket)
- Higher maximum ISO setting
GF1 advantages over NEX-5:
- Built-in flash
- Flash hot shoe
- Optional EVF
- Large degree of direct external control
- More conventional user interface
NX10 advantages over NEX-5:
- Built-in EVF
- Flash hot shoe
- Bright, high-contrast OLED screen
- More conventional user interface
- More direct-access buttons (including ISO and white balance)
| |
Sony Alpha NEX-5
 |
Panasonic GF1
|
Samsung NX10
|
| Sensor |
• APS-C type HD CMOS
• 14.2 million total pixels
• 14.2 million effective pixels
• RGB (Primary) color filter array
|
• 4/3 type MOS ('Live MOS sensor')
• 13.06 million total pixels
• 12.11 million effective pixels
• RGB (Primary) color filter array
|
• APS-C type CMOS
• 15.1 million total pixels
• 14.6 million effective pixels
• RGB (Primary) color filter array
|
| Image stabilization |
• Lens dependant |
• Lens dependent |
• Lens dependent |
Battery life
(CIPA)* |
• 330 shots |
• 350 shots (Kit lens) |
• 400 shots (Samsung's tests) |
| Video mode |
• AVCHD:
1920 x 1080i, 60fps
• MP4:
1440 x 1080i, 60fps |
• AVCHD:
1280 x 720
• Motion JPEG:
1280 x 720, 30fps
848 x 480, 30fps
640 x 480, 30fps
320 x 240, 30fps |
• H.264 MP4:
1280 x 720, 30fps
640 x 480, 30fps
320 x 240, 30fps |
| Audio |
• Stereo (external mic optional) |
• Mono |
• Mono |
| Movie REC button? |
• Yes |
• Yes |
• Yes |
| Rear screen |
• 3.0"
• 921,000 dots |
• 3.0"
• 460,000 dots |
• 3.0" Active Matrix OLED
• 614,000 dots |
| Viewfinder |
• Optional optical FDA-SV1 (for 16mm pancake) |
• Optional EVF
• 1.04x magnification
• 202k dots
• 100% FOV |
• Built-in EVF
• 0.86x magnification
• 921k dots
• 100% FOV |
| Metering modes |
• 49-segment
• Center-Weighted Average
• Spot
|
• Intelligent Multiple
• Center-Weighted
• Spot |
• 247-zone
• Center-Weighted
• Spot |
| Flash |
• Yes, supplied (not built-in)
(GN. 7 at ISO 100) |
• Yes (GN. 7 at ISO 100)
• Wireless flash control |
• Yes (GN.11 at ISO 100)
|
| Orientation sensor |
• Yes |
• Via image-stabilised lens only |
• Yes
|
| Connectors |
• USB 2.0 (High Speed)
• HDMI
|
• USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed)
• Video output (PAL/ NTSC)
• HDMI
• Optional wireless remote |
• USB 2.0 (High Speed)
• Video output (PAL / NTSC)
• HDMI |
| Dimensions |
117.2 × 62.6 × 33.4mm |
121 mm x 70mm x 36 mm |
123 × 87× 39.8mm |
| Weight (body only) |
Approx. 239 g (8.4 oz)
|
Approx. 335g (11.8 oz) |
Approx. 353g (12.45 oz)
|
* CIPA battery test methodolgy uses the kit lens, uses flash for 50% of the shots and has IS turned on where appropriate. |
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