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Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S5

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
76
Features
92
Overall
82

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S5 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Revealed October 2019
Panasonic S5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.0" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 714g - 133 x 97 x 82mm
  • Revealed August 2020
  • Later Model is Panasonic S5 II
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Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S5 Overview

Here is a in depth comparison of the Nikon Z50 versus Panasonic S5, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the Z50 (21MP) and the S5 (24MP) is relatively comparable but the Z50 (APS-C) and S5 (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The Z50 was launched 10 months earlier than the S5 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a short introduction of how the Z50 grades against the S5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Panasonic S5

 Z50 S5 
Screen sizing3.2"3.0"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Panasonic S5 over the Nikon Z50

 S5 Z50 
RevealedAugust 2020October 2019Fresher by 10 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1840k1040kCrisper screen (+800k dot)

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Panasonic S5

 Z50 S5 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z50 has outside dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") along with a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) and the Panasonic S5 has measurements of 133mm x 97mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 714 grams (1.57 lbs).

Check the Nikon Z50 versus Panasonic S5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the Z50 vs the S5.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S5 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and S5 is 74 and 60 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizing only by seeing a spec sheet. The visual here will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the Z50 and S5.

Clearly, both the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The Z50 because of its smaller sensor will make getting bokeh tougher and the Panasonic S5 will produce more detail utilizing its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The older Z50 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S5 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography info
Panasonic S5 Portrait photography info
80
has manual focus
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW files
85
manual focus
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic S5 as a Street photography camera
73
screen tilts
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
comes with focus via touch
environment proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (397 grams)
78
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
includes touch focus
environment sealing
great high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 Sports photography info
Panasonic S5 Sports photography info
75
resolution is good (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
81
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment sealing
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography details
Panasonic S5 Travel photography details
77
environment proof
supports bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
resolution is good (21MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
heavier than competition in class (397g)
79
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
includes touch focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon Z50
Landscape photography with Panasonic S5
79
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment proof
does not have image stabilization
86
manual focus
change lenses (Leica L mount)
decent sized screen (3.0 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging details
Panasonic S5 Vlogging details
71
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
includes face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have external mic socket
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (397 grams)
79
screen is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has microphone support
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Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Panasonic S5
 Nikon Z50Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Z50 Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2019-10-10 2020-08-14
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5568 x 3712 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 51200 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 209 225
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z Leica L
Total lenses 15 31
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3.2" 3.0"
Resolution of screen 1,040k dots 1,840k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots 2,360k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed - 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings - Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/250 seconds
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 PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 397 grams (0.88 lb) 714 grams (1.57 lb)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 133 x 97 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2")
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 320 images 440 images
Style of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL25 -
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card
Card slots One 2
Pricing at release $857 $1,999