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Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic GX8

Portability
62
Imaging
77
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 front
Portability
74
Imaging
59
Features
84
Overall
69

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic GX8 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Introduced July 2020
Panasonic GX8
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 487g - 133 x 78 x 63mm
  • Released July 2015
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GX7
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Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic GX8 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Nikon Z5 and Panasonic GX8, both Advanced Mirrorless cameras by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the Z5 (24MP) and the GX8 (20MP) is pretty close but the Z5 (Full frame) and GX8 (Four Thirds) possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The Z5 was brought out 5 years later than the GX8 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GX8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a full comparison, below is a quick summary of how the Z5 matches up vs the GX8 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Panasonic GX8

 Z5 GX8 
ReleasedJuly 2020July 2015Fresher by 62 months
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Panasonic GX8 over the Nikon Z5

 GX8 Z5 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Panasonic GX8

 Z5 GX8 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen resolution1040k1040kThe same screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic GX8 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera, you need to think about its weight and size. The Nikon Z5 comes with physical dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) and the Panasonic GX8 has specifications of 133mm x 78mm x 63mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 2.5") and a weight of 487 grams (1.07 lbs).

See the Nikon Z5 and Panasonic GX8 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the Z5 compared to the GX8.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic GX8 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z5 and GX8 is 62 and 74 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic GX8 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic GX8 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to see the gap in sensor sizing simply by researching specs. The photograph below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the Z5 and GX8.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The Z5 featuring a bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Nikon Z5 will render extra detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The younger Z5 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic GX8 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic GX8 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic GX8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 Portrait photography information
Panasonic GX8 Portrait photography information
86
has manual focus
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
75
has manual focus
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography advice
Panasonic GX8 Street photography advice
74
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
offers touch focus
weather sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competitors (675g)
80
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
features focus via touch
weather proofing
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic GX8 Sports photography highlights
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather sealing
better than average battery life (470 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (4.5 fps)
68
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
bad battery life (330 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon Z5
Travel photography with Panasonic GX8
68
better than average battery life (470 shots)
weather sealing
has bluetooth
offers touch focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
more heavy than competitors (675g)
does not offer selfie friendly display
73
weather proofing
features focus via touch
decent MP (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
bad battery life (330 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 Landscape photography features
Panasonic GX8 Landscape photography features
87
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
better than average battery life (470 CIPA)
two card slots
76
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
bad battery life (330 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic GX8 Vlogging highlights
34
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external microphone socket
does not offer selfie friendly display
more heavy than competitors (675g)
81
selfie friendly screen
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with microphone jack
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Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic GX8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Panasonic GX8
 Nikon Z5Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Z5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8
Type Advanced Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Introduced 2020-07-20 2015-07-16
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 6 Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6016 x 4016 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 51200 25600
Highest enhanced ISO 102400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 273 49
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 15 107
Crop factor 1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,040k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dot 2,360k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.77x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shutter speed 4.5 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 675g (1.49 lb) 487g (1.07 lb)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 133 x 78 x 63mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 75
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.6
DXO Low light score not tested 806
Other
Battery life 470 photographs 330 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15c -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots Two 1
Price at release $1,399 $898