Clicky

Nikon D5 vs Panasonic LX5

Portability
50
Imaging
70
Features
84
Overall
75
Nikon D5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 front
Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38

Nikon D5 vs Panasonic LX5 Key Specs

Nikon D5
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Boost to 3280000)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1415g - 160 x 158.5 x 92mm
  • Introduced January 2016
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D4s
  • Later Model is Nikon D6
Panasonic LX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-90mm (F2.0-3.3) lens
  • 271g - 110 x 65 x 43mm
  • Revealed December 2011
  • Succeeded the Panasonic LX3
  • Replacement is Panasonic LX7
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Nikon D5 vs Panasonic LX5 Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Nikon D5 and Panasonic LX5, one is a Pro DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Nikon and Panasonic. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the D5 (21MP) and LX5 (10MP) and the D5 (Full frame) and LX5 (1/1.63") feature totally different sensor size.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The D5 was introduced 4 years after the LX5 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Nikon D5 being a Large SLR camera and the Panasonic LX5 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a full comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the D5 scores versus the LX5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

        

Reasons to pick Nikon D5 over the Panasonic LX5

 D5 LX5 
RevealedJanuary 2016December 2011Newer by 50 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2359k460kSharper display (+1899k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX5 over the Nikon D5

 LX5 D5 

Common features in the Nikon D5 and Panasonic LX5

 D5 LX5 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Nikon D5 vs Panasonic LX5 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D5 has outside dimensions of 160mm x 158.5mm x 92mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 1415 grams (3.12 lbs) while the Panasonic LX5 has dimensions of 110mm x 65mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D5 and Panasonic LX5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the D5 compared to the LX5.

Nikon D5 vs Panasonic LX5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the D5 and LX5 is 50 and 88 respectively.

Nikon D5 vs Panasonic LX5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5 vs Panasonic LX5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions purely by looking through technical specs. The picture here might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the D5 and LX5.

As you can tell, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The D5 having a larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Nikon D5 will render extra detail using its extra 11MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images far more aggressively. The newer D5 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon D5 vs Panasonic LX5 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5 vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5 vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic LX5 as a Portrait photography camera
82
you can focus manually
MP count good (21MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
41
manual focus
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D5
Street photography with Panasonic LX5
60
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
great high ISO (102,400)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
59
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
more heavy than average (271 grams)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Nikon D5 Sports photography factors
Panasonic LX5 Sports photography factors
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
MP count good (21MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features tracking focus
weather sealing
great battery life (3,780 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
27
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
does not have phase detect auto focus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Nikon D5 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic LX5 as a Travel photography camera
64
great battery life (3,780 CIPA)
weather sealing
MP count good (21 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
59
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than average (271 grams)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic LX5 Landscape photography highlights
78
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
MP count good (21MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
great high ISO (102,400)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
great battery life (3,780 shots)
2 card slots
does not have image stabilization
52
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
missing Timelapse recording
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5 Vlogging information
Panasonic LX5 Vlogging information
30
touchscreen
features face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes microphone support
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
29
relatively wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Optical)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone port
more heavy than average (271g)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Nikon D5 vs Panasonic LX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5 and Panasonic LX5
 Nikon D5Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon D5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
Category Pro DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2016-01-05 2011-12-15
Body design Large SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 5 Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/1.63"
Sensor measurements 35.8 x 23.9mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor area 855.6mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5588 x 3712 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 102400 12800
Max enhanced ISO 3280000 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 153 23
Cross type focus points 99 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-90mm (3.8x)
Largest aperture - f/2.0-3.3
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 309 -
Crop factor 1 4.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 2,359k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.72x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 14.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 7.20 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1415g (3.12 lbs) 271g (0.60 lbs)
Dimensions 160 x 158.5 x 92mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") 110 x 65 x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 88 41
DXO Color Depth rating 25.1 19.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 10.8
DXO Low light rating 2434 132
Other
Battery life 3780 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL18a -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Dual CompactFlash or dual XQD SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Dual 1
Retail price $6,500 $294