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

Joseph T Lewis III wrote:

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.

LOL! do you even know that those numbers mean? Which ISO are they for?

Try doing as I said and look at the actual measurements and you will see that at most of the higher ISOs the difference is very minor (the charts/measurements are almost identical) and mostly made up with the slightly wider aperture M43 lens. Also, you will see if you actually look that from ISO 4000 to about ISO 10000 the GM1 has more DR.  Yes, at those ISO with the F/1.7 lens the GM1 would be slightly better at noise and DR.

Again, there is no real life difference except the GM1 has better lenses.

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 have a NEX-5R and E-M5, have owned the PM2 too. I'm sure the IQ of the GM1 is nearly identical to the Olys, and if that's the case then in fact there won't be any real "downgrade in IQ" to MFT from APS-C. The differences in IQ between the modern generation sensors of both sensors are very, very small.

For me, the biggest things I like about the 5R are: (a) the grip--way better than the non-grip on the GM1; (b) the size, if anything larger than the GM1; and (c) the tiltable screen, which I'd be lost without. But if I were only using native lenses I'd pick m43 every day over NEX because the tiny NEX lenses aren't very good (16mm) or are too expensive (20mm). The m43 options of 12-32mm, 14mm, 20mm, 17mm just blow them away.

Thanks kazkioken and tjuster1 of informative posts. I don't believe big difference in image quality between NEX and GM1.

I have decided to hold my purchase; I want to see GM1 live before I make any decision.

Lab D wrote:

Joseph T Lewis III wrote:

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.

LOL! do you even know that those numbers mean? Which ISO are they for?

Try doing as I said and look at the actual measurements and you will see that at most of the higher ISOs the difference is very minor (the charts/measurements are almost identical) and mostly made up with the slightly wider aperture M43 lens. Also, you will see if you actually look that from ISO 4000 to about ISO 10000 the GM1 has more DR. Yes, at those ISO with the F/1.7 lens the GM1 would be slightly better at noise and DR.

Again, there is no real life difference except the GM1 has better lenses.

There is really no need to make fun of my ignorance; I freely admitted I wasn't an expert at interpreting DxOMark scores.

Anyway, thanks for sharing your insight with us.