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Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic GF5

Portability
92
Imaging
41
Features
56
Overall
47
Nikon 1 S1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
49
Features
54
Overall
51

Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic GF5 Key Specs

Nikon 1 S1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 197g - 102 x 61 x 30mm
  • Introduced June 2013
  • Updated by Nikon 1 S2
Panasonic GF5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 267g - 108 x 67 x 37mm
  • Released April 2012
  • Replaced the Panasonic GF3
  • Updated by Panasonic GF6
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Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic GF5 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Nikon 1 S1 and Panasonic GF5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the 1 S1 (10MP) and the GF5 (12MP) is pretty close but the 1 S1 (1") and GF5 (Four Thirds) have totally different sensor measurements.

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The 1 S1 was introduced 15 months after the GF5 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going into a complete comparison, here is a quick view of how the 1 S1 grades vs the GF5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon 1 S1 over the Panasonic GF5

 1 S1 GF5 
ReleasedJune 2013April 2012Newer by 15 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF5 over the Nikon 1 S1

 GF5 1 S1 
Screen resolution920k460kClearer screen (+460k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon 1 S1 and Panasonic GF5

 1 S1 GF5 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic GF5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon 1 S1 has got external measurements of 102mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Panasonic GF5 has measurements of 108mm x 67mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 267 grams (0.59 lbs).

Compare the Nikon 1 S1 and Panasonic GF5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the 1 S1 compared to the GF5.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic GF5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the 1 S1 and GF5 is 92 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic GF5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic GF5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to envision the difference in sensor dimensions just by looking through specifications. The image underneath may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 S1 and GF5.

To sum up, the 2 cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The 1 S1 having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging and the Panasonic GF5 will result in greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The fresher 1 S1 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic GF5 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Portrait photography details
Panasonic GF5 Portrait photography details
48
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (1")
saves RAW files
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
56
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Street photography information
Panasonic GF5 Street photography information
69
sensor size is decent (1")
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (197g)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
70
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic GF5 Sports photography highlights
49
silent mode (1/16,000 seconds)
sensor size is decent (1")
offers tracking focus
comes with phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
not so great battery (220 shots)
41
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GF5 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competition in class (197g)
has built in flash
not so great battery (220 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
61
boasts focus via touch
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low MP (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon 1 S1
Landscape photography with Panasonic GF5
56
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (1")
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
not so great battery (220 per charge)
59
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Vlogging details
Panasonic GF5 Vlogging details
30
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (197 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
no microphone socket
32
built-in touchscreen
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have microphone support
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Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic GF5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 S1 and Panasonic GF5
 Nikon 1 S1Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon 1 S1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-06-21 2012-04-05
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3872 x 2592 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 160
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 135 23
Lens
Lens support Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 13 107
Focal length multiplier 2.7 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 15.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 6.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/60 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 1072 x 720 (60 fps) 640 x 240 (400), 320 x 120 (1200) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 197 gr (0.43 lbs) 267 gr (0.59 lbs)
Physical dimensions 102 x 61 x 30mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.2") 108 x 67 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 50
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 20.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 10.0
DXO Low light rating 397 573
Other
Battery life 220 shots 360 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL20 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $231 $600