Head to Head: Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic FX700 – Which Camera Really Delivers?

When you’re hunting for a new camera, it can sometimes feel like walking into an electronics jungle - dozens of models, wild specifications, and marketing claims that can spin your head. Having tested thousands of cameras across genres and price points, I’m here to slice through the noise and put two very different beasts under the microscope: the Nikon Z5, a sophisticated full-frame mirrorless camera, versus the budget-friendly Panasonic Lumix FX700 compact point-and-shoot.

Don’t let the price gap fool you; these two cameras serve fundamentally different purposes. Still, comparing them head to head shines a spotlight on what your investment really gets you, and which camera suits which kind of photographer best. I’ve taken these into the field, run lab tests, and scrutinized every spec, so by the end of this deep dive, you’ll have a clear, balanced picture to decide if it’s worth splurging on the Z5 or if the FX700 covers your needs without breaking the bank.

Let’s get started.

First Impressions and Ergonomics: Handling Matters

At a glance, it’s clear the Nikon Z5 is geared for the enthusiast or pro: boasting a chunky SLR-style mirrorless body built with weather sealing, it’s physically imposing compared to the petite FX700 compact camera. The Z5 measures roughly 134 x 101 x 70mm and weighs 675g, almost four times heavier than the FX700’s ultra-travel-friendly 176g and slim dimensions of 104 x 56 x 25mm.

Handling makes a world of difference in photography, especially if you plan long shoots, changing lenses, or working in less than perfect weather - three areas where the Z5 shines with its robust magnesium alloy body and a deep, thoughtfully sculpted grip that feels solid in my hands. The FX700, designed for casual snaps and travel-light convenience, has a plastic shell and no grip, which can make prolonged shooting a little fiddly.

Controls are another point of divergence. The Z5 sports an array of customizable buttons, dials, and modes designed for quick access to settings like ISO or autofocus mode. The FX700 simplifies things to appeal to point-and-shoot users, with fewer buttons and a stripped-back interface. The compact construction limits physical controls, but for beginners or casual use, the design prevents confusion.

Sensor Technology: Why Size and Resolution Really Count

Perhaps the most critical difference between these cameras is their image sensor. The Nikon Z5 rocks a full-frame CMOS sensor measuring a generous 35.9 x 23.9 mm with 24 megapixels, which is close to what professional DSLRs and high-end mirrorless cameras boast. The FX700’s sensor is a modest 1/2.3 inch (6.08 x 4.56 mm) with 14 megapixels - a typical specification for compact cameras but tiny compared to the Z5.

The big sensor in the Z5 means better light gathering ability, resulting in superior dynamic range, lower noise at high ISO, and more subtle color gradations. This directly impacts image quality across the board, especially in tricky lighting situations like dim interiors or night scenes. The FX700’s smaller sensor does just fine in bright daylight but struggles with noise and detail retention as soon as lighting dips.

Resolution-wise, 24MP on a full-frame sensor strikes a sweet spot that balances image detail and manageable file sizes, great for large prints or extensive cropping. The FX700’s 14MP sensor is decent for casual printing and social sharing but won’t satisfy photographers wanting to crop heavily or print large.

LCD Screens and Viewfinders: Seeing Your Shot Before You Snap

Both cameras offer LCD screens, but their size, resolution, and functionality are starkly different. The Nikon Z5’s 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen has a sharp 1.04-million-dot resolution - a crisp, fluid display perfect for composing shots from unusual angles, checking focus, or navigating menus. Touch functionality like tap-to-focus is smooth and responsive in real-world use.

In contrast, the FX700 features a fixed 3-inch screen with only 230,000 dots. It’s serviceable outdoors on sunny days (thanks to Panasonic’s image optimization), but the low resolution can make pixel peeping a challenge, especially when assessing fine focus or skin textures.

An important difference is the presence of an electronic viewfinder (EVF) on the Nikon Z5, boasting a 3.69-million-dot OLED panel with 100% coverage and 0.8x magnification. The EVF is invaluable for stability and shooting in bright conditions when an LCD can wash out. The FX700 has no viewfinder - you’re left to compose purely on the LCD, which can sometimes be tricky in bright sunlight.

Autofocus Systems: Precision vs Simplicity

If you’ve ever tried capturing a fast-moving subject, you know that autofocus (AF) performance can make or break the shot. The Nikon Z5 employs a sophisticated hybrid AF system combining phase-detection and contrast-detection with 273 focus points spread across the frame, including eye and animal eye detection that works impressively in my test shoots with both humans and pets. This makes it ideal for portrait, wildlife, and sports photography, where accuracy and tracking are paramount.

It also supports continuous autofocus with subject tracking and face detection during video recording, ensuring your focus stays locked even in dynamic scenes.

On the flip side, the Panasonic FX700 offers only contrast-detection AF with limited focus points and no face or eye detection technology. While the AF is fairly quick in good light for a compact, it’s slower and less reliable in low light or for tracking moving subjects. Manual focusing is possible but fiddly on a small sensor compact, less suited to action shooting.

Shooting Performance: Burst Rates, Shutters, and Stability

In burst shooting, the Nikon Z5 manages 4.5 frames per second - respectable but not blazing fast compared to higher-end sports cameras. However, with its large buffer and refined sensor readout, image quality remains consistent even in continuous shooting. The Panasonic FX700 hits 10fps, faster thanks to its smaller sensor and simpler hardware, but with a price - smaller buffer size and use-case geared towards casual snapshots rather than extended action sequences.

Both cameras offer sensor-based image stabilization, though of different types: the Z5’s 5-axis in-body stabilization is highly effective for minimizing blur from camera shake in handheld shooting, proving invaluable in low-light landscapes or macro shots. The FX700 relies on optical lens stabilization, which helps but isn’t as versatile or robust.

Screen lag and shutter speed ranges also illustrate the pros and cons of each system:

Longer shutter range and faster maximum shutter speed on the Z5 give creative freedom for freezing fast action or shooting long exposures under dark skies.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Flexibility vs Fixed Convenience

One of the biggest perks of the Nikon Z5 is its compatibility with the Nikon Z mount lens lineup - currently 15 native lenses and counting, covering everything from ultra-wide angles to super-telephoto primes and zooms. This means as your photography skills develop, you can invest in specialized optics tailored to portraits, wildlife, macro, landscapes, or astrophotography.

Additionally, with adapters, the Z5 can accept Nikon F-mount DSLR lenses, expanding options further.

The Panasonic FX700 has a built-in, non-interchangeable zoom lens covering a versatile 24-120mm equivalent focal range. It’s convenient for casual users who don’t want the hassle or expense of buying multiple lenses. The lens offers a modest maximum aperture of F2.2 at wide end and F5.9 at telephoto, which is adequate for daylight shooting but limited for shallow depth-of-field effects or low-light indoor photography.

Image Quality in Real-World Use: What You Can Expect

To put these cameras to the test, I took them on a variety of shoots covering everyday use, portraits, landscapes, and low light. The differences were telling.

• Portraits: The Nikon Z5’s wide aperture lenses and full-frame sensor rendered skin tones with smooth gradations, rich color depth, and attractive bokeh that isolates subjects beautifully - an essential trait for professional portraits. The FX700’s smaller sensor and slower lens yielded flatter images with less separation from background.

• Landscapes: The Z5 excelled with fine detail resolution and dynamic range, preserving highlight and shadow detail flawlessly - a testament to its sensor quality. Weather sealing gave peace of mind shooting outdoors in unpredictable conditions. The FX700’s smaller sensor struggled to capture the same tonal range and detail, especially in shadowy forest scenes.

• Wildlife and Sports: The Z5’s AF tracking and face/eye detection came through repeatedly, locking on to moving animals or players quickly and smoothly. While not made for hyper-fast sports shooting, it’s versatile enough for everything from hikes to family soccer games. The FX700’s autofocus lag made it frustrating for moving subjects; better suited for static scenes.

• Street Photography: Here, the compact FX700’s small size and discreet design shine. It slips easily in a pocket, is quick to power on, and less intimidating to subjects. Conversely, the Z5 is heavier and bulkier, potentially drawing unwanted attention and making candid shooting less spontaneous.

• Macro: The Z5’s support for specialized macro lenses and superior stabilization enable close-up details with sharp focus, unlike the FX700’s limited 3cm macro focusing distance on its fixed lens.

• Night/Astro: Thanks to high ISO capability (native up to 51,200, boost to 102,400) and low noise, the Z5 produces clean night shots with negligible grain - a big edge over the FX700’s max ISO 6400 and noisier output.

Video Capabilities: Not Just a Still Camera

For hybrid shooters dabbling in video, the Nikon Z5 is a strong contender. It offers 4K UHD recording at 24, 25, and 30 frames per second, with full sensor readout and minimal crop - ideal for professional-quality clips. Dual SD card slots add backup or overflow options, and microphone and headphone jacks provide flexibility for external audio. Five-axis in-body stabilization smooths handheld footage impressively.

The Panasonic FX700 caps out at 1080p Full HD video at 60fps with AVCHD compression, which remains serviceable for casual home movies but falls short of modern 4K standards and professional workflows. No external mic input limits audio quality control.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations

The Nikon Z5’s EN-EL15c battery delivers approximately 470 shots per charge according to CIPA standards, which aligns with real-world usage during my tests. While not record-breaking, it’s enough for a day’s shooting with some judicious power management. Dual UHS-II card slots provide security for pro shooters.

The Panasonic FX700 lacks formal battery life specs, but the built-in lithium-ion battery got me through typical sightseeing days comfortably. The single SD card slot accepts standard cards, but no dual slots for backup.

Connectivity and Wireless Options: Modern Features

The Nikon Z5 ships with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing rapid transfer of images to smartphones or cloud services - a big plus for social shooters and working pros alike who need immediate sharing or remote control capabilities.

The FX700, as a budget-era compact, offers no wireless features. You’ll need to offload photos via USB or by physically removing the SD card.

Pricing and Who Should Buy What?

At the time of writing, the Nikon Z5 retails for about $1400 body-only - a fair price for a full-frame camera with modern features and a strong lens ecosystem. The Panasonic FX700, a decade older and modest in specs, goes for roughly $399 or less secondhand, making it a wallet-friendly option for beginners or casual shooters.

Who should choose the Nikon Z5?

• Enthusiasts or professional photographers who want full-frame image quality and flexibility
• Portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, and macro shooters requiring advanced autofocus and low-light performance
• Video content creators needing 4K capability and robust audio inputs
• Travellers ready to carry a larger kit for superior versatility and reliability

Who should consider the Panasonic FX700?

• Casual photographers, cheapskates, or those upgrading from phone cameras looking for better zoom and manual exposure options
• Travelers prioritizing small size, lightweight, and simplicity
• Everyday snapshots in good light without fussing over interchangeable lenses

Overall Performance Scores (Subjective Expert Assessment)

To visualize these complex differences, here’s my synthesized scorecard (out of 10) based on hands-on tests covering image quality, autofocus, ergonomics, build, video, and value.

Specialized Photography Genres: How Do They Stack Up?

Breaking down by genre, I assigned scores reflecting each camera’s strengths tailored to specific use cases. Check out the nuanced take:

Sample Gallery: Real Images Straight from the Cameras

Nothing tells the story better than actual photos. Here’s a selection showcasing portraits, landscapes, and street scenes from both cameras. Note the difference in color depth, detail, and bokeh quality.

Nikon Z5 front Nikon Z5 screen back Panasonic FX700 front Panasonic FX700 screen back

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Nikon Z5

Pros:

• Large full-frame sensor with excellent image quality
• Durable build with weather sealing
• Versatile lens ecosystem with interchangeable lenses
• Advanced autofocus with eye and animal detection
• 4K video with microphone and headphone jacks
• Tilting high-res touchscreen and bright electronic viewfinder
• Dual card slots for backup/pro reliability

Cons:

• Heavier and bulkier, less pocketable
• Moderate burst speed (4.5 fps) for sports/action
• No silent shutter mode
• Price is on the higher side for enthusiasts on tight budgets

Panasonic FX700

Pros:

• Ultra-compact and lightweight, easy to carry and use
• Decent zoom range (24-120mm equivalent) with optical stabilization
• Fast continuous shooting up to 10 fps in good light
• Built-in flash for low-light fill
• Very affordable price point and simple operation

Cons:

• Tiny small sensor with limited image quality and dynamic range
• No 4K video, microphone input, or viewfinder
• Lack of wireless connectivity and advanced autofocus features
• No weather sealing or ruggedness
• Fixed lens limits creative control

Final Verdict: Which Camera Deserves Your Cash?

Choosing between the Nikon Z5 and Panasonic FX700 really boils down to what you want from your camera and how you shoot.

If you’re serious about photography or content creation, craving image quality that stands up to professional scrutiny, need versatility across genres, and are ready to invest in lenses and ergonomics, the Nikon Z5 is a fantastic entry point to the full-frame mirrorless world. It punches way above its price class with real-world performance to satisfy demanding workloads.

On the other hand, if your photography enthusiasm is casual, your budget is tight, or you prioritize portability and convenience over pro features, the Panasonic FX700 still holds value for travel snapshots and everyday use. It won’t produce gallery-ready prints or shoot fast action, but its simplicity and price make it an appealing travel companion or second camera option.

In summary: For those who want the best bang for their buck with modern tech, the Nikon Z5 is hands down the better investment. But for the cheapskate or light packer who just wants decent pictures without the bulk, the Panasonic FX700 remains a practical, no-frills choice.

Hope this comparison helped unravel the differences and guided you toward the right camera for your creative journey. Shoot well!