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Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Launched July 2020
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Launched June 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Nikon Z5 versus Panasonic ZS5, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference between the resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and ZS5 (12MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and ZS5 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor size.

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The Z5 was launched 10 years later than the ZS5 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the Z5 scores vs the ZS5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Panasonic ZS5

 Z5 ZS5 
LaunchedJuly 2020June 2010Fresher by 123 months
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1040k230kClearer display (+810k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Nikon Z5

 ZS5 Z5 

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Panasonic ZS5

 Z5 ZS5 
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z5 has got outside dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") and a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS5 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

See the Nikon Z5 versus Panasonic ZS5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the Z5 compared to the ZS5.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the Z5 and ZS5 is 62 and 92 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to see the gap between sensor sizing simply by reading a spec sheet. The graphic here might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the Z5 and ZS5.

Clearly, the two cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The Z5 because of its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Nikon Z5 will offer extra detail utilizing its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more modern Z5 is going to have an edge in sensor innovation.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon Z5
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS5
85
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
27
supports face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS5 Street photography highlights
74
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
weather proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
heavier than others in class (675g)
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (214 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z5
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS5
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery life (470 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.5 frames per second)
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300s)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Travel photography camera
68
great battery life (470 CIPA)
weather proof
has bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
heavier than others in class (675g)
does not offer selfie friendly display
63
lighter than others (214 grams)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
no Time Lapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography highlights
86
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
good sized screen (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
great battery life (470 per charge)
two card slots
33
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging advice
34
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have external mic socket
does not offer selfie friendly display
heavier than others in class (675g)
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than others (214g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic port
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Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Panasonic ZS5
 Nikon Z5Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Z5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Category Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2020-07-20 2010-06-16
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 6 Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6016 x 4016 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 51200 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 102400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 273 11
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Number of lenses 15 -
Crop factor 1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.5 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.30 m
Flash modes 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, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
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 lbs) 214g (0.47 lbs)
Physical dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL15c -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Dual One
Price at release $1,399 $300