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Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS45

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
55
Overall
46

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS45 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
  • Announced July 2020
Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 249g - 108 x 60 x 32mm
  • Launched January 2015
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS40
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS50
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Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS45 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Nikon Z5 versus Panasonic ZS45, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and ZS45 (16MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and ZS45 (1/2.3") provide different sensor measurements.

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The Z5 was unveiled 5 years after the ZS45 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS45 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the Z5 scores against the ZS45 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Panasonic ZS45

 Z5 ZS45 
LaunchedJuly 2020January 2015Newer by 68 months
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Nikon Z5

 ZS45 Z5 

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Panasonic ZS45

 Z5 ZS45 
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display resolution1040k1040kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS45 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera, you should think about its weight and size. The Nikon Z5 offers exterior dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS45 has specifications of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check the Nikon Z5 versus Panasonic ZS45 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the Z5 compared to the ZS45.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS45 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the Z5 and ZS45 is 62 and 91 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS45 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS45 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing specs. The picture below will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the Z5 and ZS45.

All in all, both cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The Z5 with its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Nikon Z5 will offer you extra detail having an extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics way more aggressively. The fresher Z5 provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS45 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon Z5
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS45
85
focusing manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW files
37
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS45 Street photography highlights
74
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
comes with focus by touch
environment proofing
very good high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than others in class (675 grams)
69
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (249 grams)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS45 as a Sports photography camera
82
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
good battery (470 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (4.5 frames per second)
55
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
good battery (350 per charge)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS45 as a Travel photography camera
68
good battery (470 shots)
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
good resolution (24MP)
more heavy than others in class (675g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
71
good battery (350 CIPA)
lighter than others in class (249 grams)
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS45 as a Landscape photography camera
86
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
good battery (470 shots)
has double storage slots
47
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
good battery (350 CIPA)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS45 Vlogging information
34
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have microphone port
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
more heavy than others in class (675 grams)
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (249 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic socket
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Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS45 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Panasonic ZS45
 Nikon Z5Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Z5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-TZ57
Category Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2020-07-20 2015-01-06
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 6 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6016 x 4016 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 51200 6400
Max boosted ISO 102400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 273 21
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range - 3cm
Amount of lenses 15 -
Crop factor 1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3.2" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.5fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.00 m
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/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 675g (1.49 lb) 249g (0.55 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 470 photos 350 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15c -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Dual 1
Launch price $1,399 $300