Nikon P340 vs Panasonic GM5: A Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

When it comes to selecting a compact yet capable camera for your creative endeavors, the choices abound. The Nikon Coolpix P340 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 stand out as interesting contenders from the mid-2010s era, each promising a unique blend of portability and imaging prowess. Having thoroughly tested thousands of cameras across all genres, we’ll break down these two thoughtful designs to help you understand which fits your photography style, creative goals, and budget.

In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll delve into every technical nook - from sensor technology through ergonomics - and explore real-world performance across popular photography types. Whether you seek a pocketable travel companion, a wildlife shooter’s tool, or a street photography marvel, this side-by-side puts the Nikon P340 and Panasonic GM5 under the spotlight.

First Impressions: Built for Different Creators

At first glance, the Nikon P340 and Panasonic GM5 feel like cameras designed with diverging priorities:

• The Nikon P340 is a small sensor compact designed to appeal to enthusiasts wanting effortless portability. It’s straightforward with a fixed 24-120mm equivalent zoom lens, bright aperture at the wide end (f/1.8), and a classic compact form factor (103x58x32mm, 194g). Ideal for those who want quick snapshots with manual control but without changing lenses.

• The Panasonic GM5 enters as an entry-level mirrorless camera, boasting a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) mount and an electronic viewfinder. Its rangefinder-style body is slightly smaller than typical mirrorless cameras (99x60x36mm) and weighs just 211g without a lens. The GM5 swaps the simplicity of a fixed lens for the freedom to change lenses across an extensive ecosystem of 107 MFT lenses – something photo creatives thirsty for versatility will appreciate.

You immediately notice the GM5’s inclusion of an electronic viewfinder (1166k dots, 100% coverage) and a touch-enabled screen, while the P340 keeps to a non-touch 3” fixed LCD without a viewfinder – a typical tradeoff between compactness and compositional precision.

Sensor Technology & Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

One fundamental difference lies in sensor technology and size, which materially affects image quality, dynamic range, and low-light capability.

From a laboratory and practical standpoint, the Panasonic GM5’s larger Four Thirds sensor offers a clear advantage in image quality. The bigger sensor area (over five times larger) translates to:

• Better control over depth of field, resulting in creamier bokeh (background blur).
• Improved noise handling and higher usable ISO settings.
• Greater color depth for richer, more natural skin tones and landscapes.
• Comparable dynamic range, critical when shooting scenes with strong highlights and shadows.

The Nikon P340’s sensor has the benefit of a bright f/1.8 lens aperture wide open, partially mitigating noise penalties at higher ISOs through faster shutter speeds and lower ISO usage. Yet, due to physical sensor limitations, image quality will generally lag behind the Panasonic in demanding conditions, especially low light.

Autofocus Systems and Shooting Responsiveness

Your ability to capture decisive moments depends heavily on autofocus (AF) performance and burst shooting speed.

The Nikon P340 surprisingly offers 10 fps continuous shooting, which is rapid for a compact camera. However, the lack of continuous AF makes it less effective for tracking moving subjects during bursts. The contrast-detection AF system tends to exhibit slow and sometimes hesitant focus in low contrast or fast action scenarios.

The Panasonic GM5, while shooting at a slightly slower 5.8 fps, supports continuous AF and offers more AF points and touch AF capabilities. This results in smoother subject tracking and better results in dynamic shooting conditions like wildlife and sports photography.

Build Quality, Handling, and User Interface

Ergonomics play a huge role in how comfortable and natural shooting feels during long sessions. Comparing body design, control layout, and screen usability reveals:

The P340 impresses with its pocket-friendly size and intuitive dial controls dedicated to aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation - great for manual shooters and step-up users from smartphones or point-and-shoots. But the lack of a viewfinder means relying on the LCD for composition, which can be challenging in bright sunlight.

The GM5 stands out with its built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) offering 100% coverage for precise framing. Though slightly thicker than the P340, its grip and button layout are comfortable for both casual snaps and more deliberate compositions. The touchscreen adds convenience for quick AF point selection and menu navigation - a welcome feature for those used to smartphone-like control interfaces.

Neither camera features weather sealing or ruggedness, so both require care outdoors in challenging conditions.

Lens Ecosystem & Creative Flexibility

Lens versatility is often a deal-breaker depending on your photographic ambitions.

• Nikon P340 comes with a fixed 24-120mm equivalent f/1.8-5.6 lens. This five-times zoom range covers wide-angle landscapes through moderate telephoto portraits and street shooting, all without swapping lenses. Its fast wide aperture benefits low-light and subject separation but runs slower at telephoto ends.

• Panasonic GM5 uses the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) mount, opening access to dozens of prime and zoom lenses from Panasonic, Olympus, and third-party manufacturers. Whether you want super-sharp 25mm f/1.7 lenses for portraits, ultra-wide 7-14mm zooms for landscapes, or specialized macro lenses, the GM5’s lens freedom invites experimentation and growth.

This significant difference impacts long-term value, versatility, and creative expression. If you prefer simplicity and minimal kit, the P340’s lens is an all-in-one solution. However, if you relish exploring focal lengths, aperture ranges, and lens rendering qualities, the GM5 will inspire you to expand your lens collection.

Real-World Photo Performance Across Genres

Let’s evaluate how these cameras perform in practical photography applications based on our hands-on testing and technical benchmarks.

Portrait Photography

Your ability to capture beautiful skin tones and sharp eyes with nice bokeh depends on sensor size, lens aperture, and autofocus.

• Nikon P340: The fast f/1.8 aperture at 24mm produces soft backgrounds in tight compositions. Contrast-detect AF with face detection helps but lacks continuous AF for video or moving subjects. Skin tones are good but can appear a touch less natural compared to larger sensors.

• Panasonic GM5: The larger sensor combined with fast MFT primes yields superior background blur (bokeh) and skin tones with better depth and nuance. Touch AF makes selecting an eye or face precise.

Landscape Photography

Here, resolution, dynamic range, and lens choice count.

• Nikon P340: 12MP is sufficient for casual prints and web sharing, and dynamic range is solid for a compact sensor, but limited for dramatic landscapes with deep shadows or bright skies. The fixed lens’s 24mm is wide but not ultra-wide, limiting expansive vistas.

• Panasonic GM5: The higher resolution 16MP sensor gives more cropping leeway. Dynamic range is equivalent but lenses like ultra-wide zooms (7-14mm) expand creative framing. The GM5’s manual focus aids in precise hyperfocal distance focusing.

Wildlife & Sports Photography

Speed, tracking, and lens reach are essential.

• Nikon P340: With 10 fps burst but no continuous AF, you may lose fast-moving subjects. The modest zoom max at 120mm equivalent limits reach on distant animals.

• Panasonic GM5: Continuous AF and decent burst speed improve tracking. Pairing with longer MFT telephoto lenses (100-400mm equivalents) vastly extends your reach and flexibility.

Street Photography

Discretion, responsiveness, and portability matter.

• Nikon P340: The compact size and quiet operation offer good street shooting credentials. The zoom lens covers versatile focal lengths without lens swaps.

• Panasonic GM5: Slightly thicker body but with EVF for eye-level shooting. Touch AF facilitates quick focusing on spontaneous street moments.

Macro Photography

Magnification, focusing precision, and stabilization help here.

• Nikon P340: Can focus as close as 2cm, enabling strong macro shots with optical stabilization compensating for hand shake.

• Panasonic GM5: Lacks built-in stabilization but benefits from a wide array of dedicated macro lenses, some with image stabilization in-lens.

Night and Astrophotography

High ISO capability, long exposures, and noise handling come into play.

• Nikon P340: Native max ISO 6400 is modest, and sensor noise becomes noticeable above ISO 1600.

• Panasonic GM5: Higher max ISO 25600 and reduced noise at high ISOs allow for superior low-light capture. Electronic shutter allows very fast shutter speeds for creative effects.

Video Capabilities

Both shoot Full HD video, but with some differences.

• Nikon P340: Full HD at 30fps max, lack of microphone input limits audio control. Optical image stabilization aids handheld recording.

• Panasonic GM5: Full HD up to 60fps, touch AF improves focus during video. External microphone port absent, but supports time-lapses natively.

Nikon P340 front Nikon P340 screen back Panasonic GM5 front Panasonic GM5 screen back

Power, Storage, and Connectivity

Another important practical lens to evaluate:

Both cameras offer average battery life suitable for daily outings but not prolonged multi-day shooting without spares. The GM5’s NFC capability simplifies pairing with smartphones for quick image sharing or remote control - a useful feature lacking on the P340.

Price and Value Considerations

The Nikon P340 has an online price around $380, while the Panasonic GM5 typically costs about $965 for the body only, reflecting their differing feature sets and sensor technologies.

• Nikon P340 offers outstanding value for discrete, casual shooting with manual control and a capable zoom lens bundled in.

• Panasonic GM5, with its larger sensor, interchangeable lenses, and EVF, positions itself more towards serious enthusiasts willing to invest in a versatile system.

Final Recommendations: Which Camera Fits Your Creative Journey?

• Choose the Nikon P340 if you:

  • Crave a pocketable, lightweight, all-in-one camera without fussing over lenses.
  • Mostly shoot travel, street, casual portraits, and landscapes in good light.
  • Value fast burst rates for shutter lag-free action in a compact.
  • Prefer optical stabilization with a bright zoom lens ready out-of-the-box.
  • Want excellent value under $400.

• Choose the Panasonic GM5 if you:

  • Want to grow your photography with interchangeable lenses for flexibility.
  • Shoot portraits, landscapes, macro, wildlife, and sports that require better image quality and autofocus tracking.
  • Appreciate composing with an electronic viewfinder and touchscreen.
  • Plan to explore video with better frame rate options and AF control.
  • Are comfortable investing into a Micro Four Thirds system with a starter lens kit.

Wrapping Up: Making the Choice That Works for You

Both cameras reflect thoughtful compromises. The Nikon P340 is a slick compact camera with excellent manual controls for its category and notable image stabilization. The Panasonic GM5 is a gateway into mirrorless versatility, with image quality and autofocus advantages balanced by a higher price and a slight learning curve due to lens changes.

If possible, handle both cameras in-store or rent them to get a feel for their size, responsiveness, and menus. Ultimately, your best camera is the one you enjoy using daily and which inspires you to capture the world around you with confidence and creativity.

Check out trusted retailers and local photography groups, find the right accessories - whether it’s a prime lens for the GM5 or filters for the P340’s zoom - and get started on your next visual adventure!

For further expert insights and updated tests on your favorite cameras and lenses, keep exploring our trusted reviews, and bookmark this comparison for your research.