Nikon 1 S2 vs Panasonic GF5
93 Imaging
44 Features
60 Overall
50


89 Imaging
48 Features
54 Overall
50
Nikon 1 S2 vs Panasonic GF5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14.2MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 190g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
- Announced May 2014
- Older Model is Nikon 1 S1
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 267g - 108 x 67 x 37mm
- Introduced April 2012
- Previous Model is Panasonic GF3
- Successor is Panasonic GF6

Nikon 1 S2 vs Panasonic GF5 Overview
On this page, we are comparing the Nikon 1 S2 vs Panasonic GF5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the 1 S2 (14.2MP) and the GF5 (12MP) is fairly close but the 1 S2 (1") and GF5 (Four Thirds) provide different sensor sizes.

The 1 S2 was manufactured 2 years after the GF5 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the 1 S2 matches up vs the GF5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Panasonic GF5 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon 1 S2 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon 1 S2 Gallery and Panasonic GF5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 S2 over the Panasonic GF5
1 S2 | GF5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | May 2014 | ![]() | April 2012 | Newer by 26 months |
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF5 over the Nikon 1 S2
GF5 | 1 S2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+460k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Nikon 1 S2 and Panasonic GF5
1 S2 | GF5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen |
Nikon 1 S2 vs Panasonic GF5 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon 1 S2 offers external dimensions of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GF5 has sizing of 108mm x 67mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") with a weight of 267 grams (0.59 lbs).
Analyze the Nikon 1 S2 vs Panasonic GF5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the 1 S2 against the GF5.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the 1 S2 and GF5 is 93 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Panasonic GF5 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is very hard to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions just by looking through technical specs. The image below might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the 1 S2 and GF5.
As you have seen, both of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The 1 S2 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Nikon 1 S2 will result in greater detail due to its extra 2.2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a bit more aggressively. The younger 1 S2 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 vs Panasonic GF5 Specifications
Nikon 1 S2 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model type | Nikon 1 S2 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2014-05-21 | 2012-04-05 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Expeed 4A | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1" | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 13.1 x 8.8mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 115.3mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14.2MP | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4592 x 3072 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 160 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 171 | 23 |
Cross type focus points | 73 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Nikon 1 | Micro Four Thirds |
Available lenses | 13 | 107 |
Crop factor | 2.7 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 460k dot | 920k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30s | 60s |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Max silent shutter speed | 1/16000s | - |
Continuous shutter speed | 60.0 frames/s | 4.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 6.30 m |
Flash settings | Fill, fill w/slow sync, rear curtain sync, rear curtain w/ slow sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) | 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 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 190 gr (0.42 lbs) | 267 gr (0.59 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 108 x 67 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 50 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 20.5 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 10.0 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 573 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 270 photographs | 360 photographs |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL22 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch price | $450 | $600 |