Nikon 1 J5 vs Panasonic GF8
91 Imaging
52 Features
78 Overall
62


90 Imaging
54 Features
62 Overall
57
Nikon 1 J5 vs Panasonic GF8 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 21MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 160 - 12800
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 231g - 98 x 60 x 32mm
- Announced April 2015
- Superseded the Nikon 1 J4
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 266g - 107 x 65 x 33mm
- Announced February 2016
- Replaced the Panasonic GF7

Nikon 1 J5 vs Panasonic GF8 Overview
Here, we will be reviewing the Nikon 1 J5 vs Panasonic GF8, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the 1 J5 (21MP) and GF8 (16MP) and the 1 J5 (1") and GF8 (Four Thirds) posses totally different sensor sizes.

The 1 J5 was unveiled 10 months before the GF8 and they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before delving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short introduction of how the 1 J5 grades versus the GF8 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Panasonic GF8 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon 1 J5 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF8. The full galleries are available at Nikon 1 J5 Gallery & Panasonic GF8 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J5 over the Panasonic GF8
1 J5 | GF8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF8 over the Nikon 1 J5
GF8 | 1 J5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2016 | ![]() | April 2015 | Fresher by 10 months |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 1037k | Clearer screen (+3k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon 1 J5 and Panasonic GF8
1 J5 | GF8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen dimensions |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Nikon 1 J5 vs Panasonic GF8 Physical Comparison
If you are going to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Nikon 1 J5 provides outside measurements of 98mm x 60mm x 32mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Panasonic GF8 has specifications of 107mm x 65mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") with a weight of 266 grams (0.59 lbs).
Check the Nikon 1 J5 vs Panasonic GF8 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the 1 J5 versus the GF8.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 1 J5 and GF8 is 91 and 90 respectively.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Panasonic GF8 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its difficult to see the difference between sensor sizing simply by reviewing specifications. The graphic here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 J5 and GF8.
Plainly, both of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The 1 J5 with its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field harder and the Nikon 1 J5 will offer you more detail having an extra 5 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots way more aggressively. The older 1 J5 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Panasonic GF8 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J5 vs Panasonic GF8 Specifications
Nikon 1 J5 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF8 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model type | Nikon 1 J5 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF8 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2015-04-03 | 2016-02-15 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Expeed 5A | Venus Engine |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1" | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 13.2 x 8.8mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 116.2mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 21 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5568 x 3712 | 4592 x 3448 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 160 | 200 |
RAW support | ||
Lowest enhanced ISO | - | 100 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 171 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Nikon 1 | Micro Four Thirds |
Amount of lenses | 13 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.7 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 1,037k dot | 1,040k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 60 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/500 secs |
Fastest silent shutter speed | 1/16000 secs | 1/16000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 20.0fps | 5.8fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m (ISO 100) | 5.60 m (at ISO 200) |
Flash modes | Auto, auto + red-eye reduction, fill-flash, fill-flash w/slow sync, rear curtain sync, rear curtain w/slow sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, off | Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, flash off |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 4K (15p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (120p/60p/30p) | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) |
Maximum video resolution | 3840x2160 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 231 grams (0.51 lbs) | 266 grams (0.59 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 98 x 60 x 32mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 107 x 65 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 65 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.1 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.0 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 479 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 shots | 230 shots |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL24 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) | Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3-shot/10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | microSD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | $497 | $549 |