• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Fujifilm X-A1

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Fujifilm X-A1 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.
  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $749 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.3 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.6 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    30 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GF5
Kit with 14-42mm Lens
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens
  • Kit with 14-42mm Power Lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Fujifilm X-A1
Kit with 16-50mm Lens

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.

  • Read our Panasonic GF5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PL3

Fujifilm X-A1
Olympus E-PL3
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PM1
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PM1

Fujifilm X-A1
Olympus E-PM1
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Olympus E-PM1

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic GF3X

Fujifilm X-A1
Panasonic GF3X
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Sony NEX-3N

Panasonic GF5
Sony NEX-3N
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-3N

Fujifilm X-A1
Sony NEX-3N
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Higher-res screen
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Sony NEX-3N

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Panasonic GF5
Sony NEX-5T
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Internal flash
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Sony NEX-5T

Fujifilm X-A1
Sony NEX-5T
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Sony NEX-5T

Compare Other Cameras?