Panasonic GM1 compared to NEX-5R. Should I consider switch?

New Panasonic Lumix GM1 seems very interesting. I am thinking if I should switch from NEX to GM1...

I have Sony NEX-5R with SEL 35mm f1.8 and SEL 18-200LE. 35mm is what I normally use. However, I would like something more wide and better for close-ups. Zeiss 24 mm would be ideal, except the price and size. Small size is important to me: I want to take camera with me for my business trips here in Europe. These are usually short trips, 1-2 days. I need to travel light with hand baggage only. During business trips I am able to take photos only in evenings. So good low light performance is a must.

Because Zeiss 24mm is so expensive, I was thinking other options. Then I noticed GM1. I am most interested in GM1 kit having both 12-32 and 20mm + handgrip. How would the image quality be compared to my NEX, I suppose no big difference? Is GM1 with 20mm on par with NEX-5R+SEL35F18 in low light?

Size. I haven't been able to see GM1 live yet. But based on what I have read and seen on web, camera bodies don't have huge difference in size. But GM1 will be a lot smaller lens attached. Is this correct?

Battery. I really like the usb-charging with my NEX. I can charge the camera with my mobile phone charger. But if I have understood, this isn't possible with GM1. I would need to carry external charger. And if I use GM1's extra handgrip, I need to remove that always to be able to access battery. This sounds complicated. I hope I misunderstood something here...

Wifi. Both NEX-5R and GM1 have wifi, so I can transfer photos to iPad while travelling. I suppose this works same way for both cameras?

Would it make sense to switch from NEX to GM1? Or would I be better just buying Zeiss 24mm (and selling my 35mm). I think also Sony RX-100 mk2 would be an option for me (but I suppose my NEX provides much better image quality).

I would like to hear if someone has used both NEX-5R and GM1 and list important differencies between those. Thanks

Hi

I so not have the NEX, but I have the GM1 and EM-5 so can make some observations.

Honestly, I think sticking with what you have and getting the lens you want and need is the better option for you. The GM1 with the kit lens and the 20mm and 45mm for low light is great, but it is a 2nd body for me and I can step up to the EM5 when I need to.

If you were using something a lot bigger and wanted something a lot smaller for travel then yes, but that is not the case for you.

I also think it would be nice if the GM1 could use usb to charge.

Thank you, it is good to hear this from owner of GM1. I start to hunt second hand Zeiss 24mm. And maybe I still find a store having GM1 available, just to check its size myself.

Of course more opinions are still welcome.

Well, here's how the camera bodies compare:

NEX-5R Compared to Panasonic GM1

You can obtain the dimensions of the lenses on the DPReview Compare Lenses Side by Side menu.

If you are otherwise satisfied with your NEX, buying the GM1 might not be a good solution. The GM1 with 12-32 kit lens is $750; if you get the Panasonic 20mm that would add another $400 or so. Even a used 20mm would be $300-ish. With that money you could buy the Zeiss, or even a couple of cheaper E-mount lenses you don't currently have.

Have you considered the Sony E-mount 16mm f/2.8 lens? I know it isn't as fast as you would like, but perhaps with a combination of higher ISO and raising the exposure in post processing it might be adequate. It is dirt cheap and very small, and is generally regarded as an acceptable little lens.

To find out if the f/2.8 would work for you, take your current 35mm lens, set it at f/2.8 and ISO 800 (or even 1600), and shoot several pics in the environments you are considering the GM1 for. Try post processing the photos, and see if the images are acceptable to you or not. Won't cost anything other than a few minutes of your time, and might save you a few hundred bucks.

Just a thought...

Camera comparison tool is handy, thanks for the link.

Price level here in Finland is 700€ for GM1 kit. Double kit with both 12-32 and 20mm and handgrip is 999€. Zeiss I can get for 650€. If I get Zeiss, then I will sell my 35mm. I should get ~300€ of that.

In principle I am happy with my NEX. It has tilting screen and usb charging which are missing from GM1. I am just thinking if m4/3 would be a better choice in long run... Before investing to Zeiss I need to consider that.

I don't own a GM1, but have owned a 5R, and in good light, it offers superb IQ thanks to Sony's APS-C sensor (I only used the kit 16-50mm PZ lens), however, the handling is as bad as the GM1, which I have not enjoyed whilst trying it in shops. The benefit of the 5R is really the flip display that I always found invaluable. (I sold the 5R because I missed a built in flash, I like using fill flash outside a lot.)

I once owned a GH2 that had superb handling thanks to the control dials and chunky grip. The little wheel at the back of the GM1 is way too small and you risk activating a different feature. The 5R has a universal dial on the top.

All said, I dislike the handling on both cameras and think the larger G5/G6 or NEX 6 if going that route, are far superior.

From the rave reviews of the GM1, it is purely size and IQ that are winning people over. Not enough for me, but maybe for you? --

http://www.flickr.com/photos/taikitso/

oorraine wrote:

charging with my NEX. I can charge the camera with my mobile phone charger. But if I have understood, this isn't possible with GM1. I would need to carry external charger.

For 1-2 days trips this seems like the wrong approach. I would take an extra fully charged battery instead.

duartix wrote

For 1-2 days trips this seems like the wrong approach. I would take an extra fully charged battery instead.

No. I have anyway usb power bank with me, as a back up power. I can charge my phone, iPad and camera with that if needed. No extra camera battery needed. Usb charging is really good.

This is just my opinion. I know some prefer external chargers or dedicated extra batteries. I don't want to argue about this topic, because it is a matter of personal preference.

If it were my money, no way.

Please take no offense, but appears to me, you're all over the map with your decision making process and justification for acquiring another camera to replace your NEX-5R.

Is it just a case of chronic G.A.S.?   Is it change for no good reason, except to try a newer camera?

Are you willing to downgrade IQ to MFT /RX100 from APS-C?     Ok with losing money in trade or selling your NEX gear?

Better to go out and take more pictures with what you already own.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Len_Gee wrote:

If it were my money, no way.

Please take no offense, but appears to me, you're all over the map with your decision making process and justification for acquiring another camera to replace your NEX-5R.

Is it just a case of chronic G.A.S.? Is it change for no good reason, except to try a newer camera?

Are you willing to downgrade IQ to MFT /RX100 from APS-C? Ok with losing money in trade or selling your NEX gear?

Better to go out and take more pictures with what you already own.

Good luck whatever you decide.

I admit, it is a bit of trying a new camera. And if I would go to GM1, I would sell all my NEX gear.

You indirectly answered one of my main question: is GM1 with 20mm on par with NEX-5R+SEL35F18 in low light? What I read above, answer is no.

Actually nobody here suggests a switch from NEX to GM1. And this is a Micro Four Thirds forum... so decision is clear for me now 

Stick with the Sony and get the 10-18 f4.  To get as wide on a GM1 takes a 7.5.

oorraine wrote:

Thank you, it is good to hear this from owner of GM1. I start to hunt second hand Zeiss 24mm. And maybe I still find a store having GM1 available, just to check its size myself.

Of course more opinions are still welcome.

A lot of people (including myself) absolutely fall in love with the GM1 when they see it and first use it.  It is not a stripped down camera and does so many amazing things...and can fit in many people's pockets.

The silent shutter is what really got me.   In perfectly quiet setting no one knows you are taking a picture and no one is distracted.

Either way, enjoy your choice!

oorraine wrote:

Len_Gee wrote:

If it were my money, no way.

Please take no offense, but appears to me, you're all over the map with your decision making process and justification for acquiring another camera to replace your NEX-5R.

Is it just a case of chronic G.A.S.? Is it change for no good reason, except to try a newer camera?

Are you willing to downgrade IQ to MFT /RX100 from APS-C? Ok with losing money in trade or selling your NEX gear?

Better to go out and take more pictures with what you already own.

Good luck whatever you decide.

I admit, it is a bit of trying a new camera. And if I would go to GM1, I would sell all my NEX gear.

You indirectly answered one of my main question: is GM1 with 20mm on par with NEX-5R+SEL35F18 in low light? What I read above, answer is no.

Actually nobody here suggests a switch from NEX to GM1. And this is a Micro Four Thirds forum... so decision is clear for me now

As soon as I saw where he said "downgrade IQ to MFT /RX100 from APS-C" I had to laugh.   I owned an RX100 for a year and there is no comparison to the GM1.  I also started with the NEX 6 and found there is no noticeable "downgrade" in IQ as I switched to an Olympus (I wanted the IBIS and smaller lenses).   If you read what DP Review says in their reviews, they agree with me.

Oh, and the GM1 with the slightly wider aperture lens is every bit as good as the 5R with the 35mm F/1.8 lens from my experience.  The only difference is one is about twice the size of the other. 

I'll add the GM1 has a built-in flash but there will be no option for a VF.   You will have the choice of more lenses and if you were looking at the NEX 24mm lens you will find you can get the 25mm F/1.4 lens which is actually sharper wide open for 1/2 the price.

lapdog99 wrote:

Stick with the Sony and get the 10-18 f4. To get as wide on a GM1 takes a 7.5.

And yes there are lenses that go to 7mm so that is not an issue.  That Sony lens has severe vignetting.  It is often more than 2 1/2 stops.  There were some long discussions and many examples here about it.

Here's how the sensors of the GM1, Olympus E-M1, and Sony NEX-5R compare:

DxOMark Comparisons

As you can see, your Sony's sensor is better at low light than that of the GM1.

Hi

Just on the GM1 lacking the swivel/tilt screen, you can operate the camera from a smartphone, so in SOME circumstances you can overcome that limitation.

I actually find that the GM1 handles very well. Much better than you would think. It is not so obvious on first using it, but once you get familiar with the way things work it is in fact really quite intuitive and nice to use.

I am still not suggesting you get one given your circumstances, although I think the m43 offering serves the majority of needs very well.

Joseph T Lewis III wrote:

Here's how the sensors of the GM1, Olympus E-M1, and Sony NEX-5R compare:

DxOMark Comparisons

As you can see, your Sony's sensor is better at low light than that of the GM1.

Please don't rely on the overall score which is not accurate in most situations. Instead look at the graphs/actual measurements. You will quickly see that all are very close and almost over lapping, so in real life there will be no noticeable difference.  Since the question was comparing an M43 lens with a slightly larger aperture to an APS lens, any difference should be erased.

What is amazing is how much better then E-M1 DR is than the 5R proving sensor size does not dictate which is best.

Lab D wrote:

Joseph T Lewis III wrote:

Here's how the sensors of the GM1, Olympus E-M1, and Sony NEX-5R compare:

DxOMark Comparisons

As you can see, your Sony's sensor is better at low light than that of the GM1.

Please don't rely on the overall score which is not accurate in most situations. Instead look at the graphs/actual measurements. You will quickly see that all are very close and almost over lapping, so in real life there will be no noticeable difference. Since the question was comparing an M43 lens with a slightly larger aperture to an APS lens, any difference should be erased.

What is amazing is how much better then E-M1 DR is than the 5R proving sensor size does not dictate which is best.

The OP was concerned about low light performance; that is the particular measurement I referenced and NOT the total overall score. The low light rating for the GM1 is 660, whereas the NEX-5R is rated at 910. Are you saying that this difference is inconsequential, and that the NEX is no better at low light shooting than the GM1? (I ask this sincerely, not being an expert at interpreting DxOMark reviews.)

The point I was trying to make to the OP is that instead of spending almost $1000 (US) on a fast wide Zeiss lens, he might "be able to get by" with the much, much cheaper Sony E-Mount 16mm f/2.8 lens for his travels, given the NEX's apparent better low light performance. That combo could tide him over until he figured out if he really wanted to jump ship from NEX to m4/3. And, the 16mm pancake would also meet another of his criteria (that of being small and light).

PS.  I wasn't suggesting he get an E-M1; I had included the E-M1 in the comparison simply because I was curious as to how it stacked up against the 5R, and was too lazy to redo the comparison for the OP with the E-M1 removed.