Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic S1
62 Imaging
76 Features
86 Overall
80


96 Imaging
35 Features
21 Overall
29
Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic S1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost 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
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
- 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Launched January 2011

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic S1 Overview
Following is a extended analysis of the Nikon Z5 and Panasonic S1, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and S1 (12MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and S1 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor measurements.

The Z5 was manufactured 9 years after the S1 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S1 being a Compact camera.
Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short highlight of how the Z5 grades against the S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic S1 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Z5 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon Z5 Gallery and Panasonic S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Panasonic S1
Z5 | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2020 | ![]() | January 2011 | More modern by 117 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+810k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Nikon Z5
S1 | Z5 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Panasonic S1
Z5 | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen |
Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Nikon Z5 has physical measurements of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") along with a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S1 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).
Check the Nikon Z5 and Panasonic S1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at that moment. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the Z5 and the S1.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the Z5 and S1 is 62 and 96 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison
Usually, its difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reading through specs. The image below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the Z5 and S1.
All in all, both of those cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The Z5 due to its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Nikon Z5 will give you greater detail due to its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a bit more aggressively. The younger Z5 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic S1 Specifications
Nikon Z5 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model type | Nikon Z5 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 |
Category | Advanced Mirrorless | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2020-07-20 | 2011-01-05 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Expeed 6 | Venus Engine IV |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Full frame | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 35.9 x 23.9mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 858.0mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 6016 x 4016 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 51200 | 6400 |
Max enhanced ISO | 102400 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Minimum enhanced ISO | 50 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 273 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon Z | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | - | f/3.1-5.6 |
Macro focusing distance | - | 5cm |
Available lenses | 15 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3.2 inches | 2.7 inches |
Display resolution | 1,040k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 3,690k dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.8x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 8 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.5 frames per sec | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 3.30 m |
Flash settings | Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/200 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
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 | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 3840x2160 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | Yes | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 675g (1.49 lbs) | 117g (0.26 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 470 photographs | 240 photographs |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL15c | - |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | Two | One |
Retail price | $1,399 | $269 |