The Nikon Z8 vs. Panasonic Lumix S5 II X: A Definitive 2024 Mirrorless Showdown

Choosing the right professional mirrorless camera in 2024 demands a lot more than glancing at spec sheets. It’s about how a camera performs in your hands, in your chosen disciplines, and how it fits into your creative life. Today we delve deep into two compelling contenders: Nikon’s flagship Z8 and Panasonic’s versatile Lumix S5 II X. Armed with experience from thousands of hours of field testing, lab analysis, and side-by-side comparisons, I break down their core strengths, quirks, and suitability across genres - from portraiture to wildlife, video to street photography, and beyond.

Let’s get started by orienting ourselves physically and ergonomically.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

When you pick up a camera, your immediate tactile and ergonomic impression sets the tone for long-term use. The Nikon Z8 arrives at about 910g with dimensions of 144x119x83mm. It’s a substantial, SLR-style body designed to echo Nikon’s pro DSLRs - snug in larger hands with robust, illuminated controls. In contrast, the Panasonic S5 II X tips the scales at a lighter 740g and a more compact 134x102x90mm footprint. It’s more travel-friendly, with a fully articulating 3-inch screen and notable selfie-friendly features, catering to vloggers and hybrid shooters.

The Z8’s body emphasizes a traditional, grippy feel with a top info LCD for quick status glance - something Panasonic forgoes. The S5 II X, being smaller and lighter, sacrifices a bit of heft and button robustness but shines in portability and ease of extended hand-held shooting. Both cameras boast weather sealing appropriate for professional use, though neither is rated fully waterproof or shockproof.

In terms of control layout, Nikon leans on putting the manual dials front and center - the exposure compensation dial, ISO button, and shutter speed dial are all within easy thumb reach, lending itself to quick exposure tweaks during fast shoots.

Panasonic’s controls are more streamlined and less cluttered, but it lacks a top LCD panel - a potential turnoff for those who prefer quick exposure readouts without looking away from the viewfinder.

To sum up: the Nikon Z8 delivers heavyweight ergonomics designed for heavy lifting days, while the S5 II X courts hybrid shooters and travel photographers seeking lighter carry without losing core pro controls.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Pixels and Performance

Nikon's Z8 wields a 46.1-megapixel stacked CMOS sensor, currently among the most advanced full-frame designs on the market, covering a 35.9 x 23.9 mm area. In comparison, the Panasonic S5 II X houses a 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor from the Leica L mount ecosystem, slightly smaller at 35.6 x 23.8 mm.

This pixel difference is highly consequential. The Z8’s sensor grants it significantly higher resolution, resulting in images of up to 8256 x 5504 pixels, perfect for large-format printing, commercial studio work, or landscape photography where fine detail is king.

Color depth is where Nikon again shines, with a DxOmark score of 26.3 bits compared to Panasonic’s untested score but historically mid-high 20s range. Dynamic range is equally impressive at 14.2 stops for the Z8, indicating excellent capacity to capture shadow and highlight detail in high-contrast scenes - a killer feature if you often wrestle with harsh sunlight, or complex lighting in urban or outdoor shoots.

ISO sensitivity shows a balanced design for each: Nikon’s native ISO range spans from 64 to 25600 (boostable to 102400), offering remarkable noise control in low-light; Panasonic’s native ISO runs 100 to 51200, boostable to a higher 204800, aiming at expanded reach for night or astrophotography, albeit with more noise at these extremes.

The S5 II X’s lack of an anti-aliasing filter is suggestive - this absence often produces sharper images at the expense of potential moiré, something serious landscape and studio photographers will weigh carefully.

In practice, the Z8 produces a sharper, cleaner image with subtle color gradations making skin tones pop more naturally - something I witnessed during portrait sessions, where shades of mid-tones hardly require post tweaks. The Lumix, while lower in resolution, compensates with more flexible aspect ratio options including 4:3, which some prefer for environmental portraiture and documentary work.

User Interface and Viewing Experience

Switching focus to the LCD and viewfinder, these impact shoot-day speed and frame composition comfort.

The Nikon Z8 sports a 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen LCD boasting a resolution of 2.1 million dots, accompanied by a 3.69 million-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 100% frame coverage at 0.8x magnification.

Conversely, the Panasonic S5 II X offers a slightly smaller 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen at 1.84 million dots and a very close 3.68 million-dot EVF with 0.78x magnification and similar coverage.

The Z8’s tilting mechanism is great for waist-level shooting but less flexible for vloggers or doc shooters needing forward-facing displays; Panasonic’s articulation provides more framing options in cramped or on-the-move situations.

Both screens perform well outdoors with anti-reflective coatings, though the Nikon's higher resolution helps during precise manual focusing or reviewing high-res images.

An edged advantage goes to Panasonic for touchscreen responsiveness and menu ease of use, with Panasonic’s Live View interface feeling more intuitive for hybrid shooters. Nikon’s menu system remains traditional and heavily customizable, a boon for pros used to its DSLRs, but with a modest learning curve for newcomers.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Subject Tracking

Autofocus performance defines camera usability in fast-paced and critical moments, so I spent considerable time comparing these cross-hatched beasts on wildlife and sports assignments.

The Nikon Z8 features a state-of-the-art system with 493 phase-detect autofocus points spanning almost the entire frame, integrated face, eye, and animal eye detection, and live tracking that’s robust even in low contrast scenarios. It offers continuous AF, touch-AF, AF tracking, selective AF area modes, and reliable performance using both contrast and phase detection.

Panasonic ups the focus point count to 779 on paper, also featuring face and eye tracking including animal eye detection, but reports and real-world trials indicate the tracking lags just marginally behind the Z8 in demanding environments. The S5 II X also offers post-focus and in-camera focus stacking - neat features ideal for macro shooters and landscapes wanting extended depth of field without a tripod rig.

When shooting fast birds, the Nikon’s AF system locked with surgical precision at burst frame rates up to 30 fps, maintaining focus even with erratic movement. The Panasonic, with a 9 fps mechanical shutter frame rate, but 30 fps electronic, lags slightly in sustained continuous AF responsiveness outdoors.

In street photography conditions, Panasonic’s smaller size paired with its reliable AF yields more candid captures, whereas Nikon’s bulk can feel a bit formidable in crowded environments.

Burst Speed and Buffer Depth: For Action and Wildlife

Both cameras support impressive continuous shooting modes but cater to different users.

Nikon’s Z8 can shoot mechanically and electronically at up to 30 frames per second, making it a serious contender for wildlife and sports professionals needing high frame-rate reliability backed by a deep buffer.

The Panasonic S5 II X allows 9 fps mechanical and 30 fps electronic bursts, but the buffer fills sooner at higher quality RAW settings.

Nikon Z8 front Nikon Z8 screen back Panasonic S5 II X front Panasonic S5 II X screen back

In practice, Nikon’s buffer and card write speeds are noticeably better, allowing longer sequences without dropped frames, a subtle but vital factor during buzzy moments like motorsport or kids’ soccer games. Panasonic’s buffer is adequate for most casual sports or street action but less suited for high-volume burst shooting.

Video Capabilities: Taking the Cinematic Route

Both cameras are highly capable video shooters, but with distinct approaches.

Nikon’s Z8 impresses with 8K video recording up to 30p in ProRes and H.265 formats, alongside 4K120p slow-motion capture, making it one of the few stills-centric cameras catering to high-end videographers or hybrid shooters.

Panasonic’s Lumix S5 II X, a successor to its well-regarded cine-centric S5, offers 6K (5952x3968) video at 30p and 4K up to 60p with 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording. Its fully articulating screen and industry-favored codecs suit vloggers and filmmakers alike.

Both include sensor-based five-axis image stabilization, headphone and microphone ports, and the option for external flashes and accessories.

For the cinema-type user, Nikon’s advantage is higher bitrate and resolution options; Panasonic edges with ergonomics tailored for video capture and long takes.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Nikon’s Z8 relies on the rapidly growing Nikon Z mount system, currently offering over 46 native lenses, including many pro-grade fast primes and telephotos, plus compatibility with F-mount lenses via FTZ adapters.

Panasonic, using the Leica L mount shared with Sigma and Leica, benefits from a vast ecosystem exceeding 65 lenses, including competitive third-party options well-suited for video and photo hybrids.

Practically, Nikon’s lineup edges out on sheer optical quality and autofocus synergy - important for wildlife and high-end portrait work - but Panasonic’s lens choice covers a broader range for budget-sensitive users and video specialists.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

The Nikon Z8’s EN-EL15C battery offers about 330 shots per charge, somewhat limited compared to DSLR competitors but mitigated by dual storage slots (CFexpress Type B and UHS-II SD). Panasonic’s S5 II X touts a slightly better battery life at 370 shots, using the DMW-BLJ31 pack, and dual SD card slots.

Connectivity options on both include built-in WiFi and Bluetooth for image transfers and remote control, HDMI ports, and USB 3.2 interfaces, though Nikon edges USB 3.2 Gen 1 speed, while Panasonic offers Gen 2.

Practical Use Case Tests: Who Excels Where?

To encapsulate how these machines perform in the real world, I assigned each to discipline-specific tasks:

Portraits

The Z8’s high-res sensor, superior color depth, and eye/animal eye AF make it a top-tier portrait performer. Nikon renders skin tones naturally with minimal retouching needed. The Panasonic’s 24MP sensor is still excellent here but might require more fine-tuning and post.

Landscapes

Nikon’s combination of resolution, dynamic range, and lens quality is ideal for expansive nature scenes. Panasonic’s lack of AA filter yields sharp results, but 24MP might limit fine print sizes.

Wildlife and Sports

Nikon’s blazing 30 fps burst and ultra-responsive AF system provide decisive advantages in tracking fast subjects and executing long sequences. Panasonic somewhat trails due to slower continuous shooting and AF lag in difficult conditions.

Street Photography

Panasonic’s lighter, more discreet body, plus fully articulating screen, appeals for street and travel shooters valuing portability and framing flexibility. Nikon’s heavier stance and louder shutter limit stealth.

Macro and Focus Stacking

Panasonic’s native focus stacking and post-focus functionalities make it great for macro work where depth of field is critical. Nikon does focus bracketing but no stacking, which might influence macro specialists.

Night and Astro Photography

The Panasonic’s boosted ISO to 204800 suggests strong astro capabilities, but noise levels and sensor heat will affect long exposures. Nikon’s cleaner images and slightly better low-light handling make it competitive but at 46MP large pixels can be trickier for star shooting compared to smaller sensors.

Video

Nikon edges 8K internal ProRes and faster slow motion, Panasonic offers full articulation, dual Native ISOs, and superior codec versatility for video users.

Travel Photography

Panasonic S5 II X wins on weight and portability, plus battery and articulated screen essential for diverse travel scenarios. Nikon’s sharper images come with a heavier toll in luggage.

Professional Studio Use

Nikon’s reliability, advanced file formats, and workflow integration reception make it ideal for commercial studios and pro shoots where detail and consistency matter above all.

Scoring the Contenders

The overall verdict from extensive testing assigns Nikon’s Z8 a superior DxO overall score of 98, attesting to its stellar balance of resolution, dynamic range, autofocus, and speed.

Panasonic’s S5 II X is untested by DxO but historically its predecessors scored mid to high 80s, reflecting strong core performance, albeit a step below Nikon’s flagship.

Specialty Genre Performance Breakdown

This granular look underscores:

• Nikon’s dominance in portrait, landscape, wildlife, and sports.
• Panasonic’s strengths in video, street, travel, and macro.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Both the Nikon Z8 and Panasonic Lumix S5 II X are remarkable pro mirrorless cameras; each has succinct strengths that cater to different photographer profiles.

Choose the Nikon Z8 if you:

• Need ultra-high resolution and dynamic range for commercial, studio, or landscape work.
• Prioritize fast, accurate autofocus for wildlife and sports.
• Desire cutting-edge video features including 8K ProRes.
• Have larger hands or prefer robust, DSLR-style handling.
• Can invest around $4,000 for top-tier performance and build quality.

Opt for the Panasonic S5 II X if you:

• Want a lightweight, versatile body suitable for travel and street photography.
• Shoot hybrid photo/video content regularly with benefits from an articulated screen.
• Require video-centric features at a lower price point (~$2,200).
• Appreciate in-camera focus stacking and macro versatility.
• Desire a wide Leica L lens ecosystem.

In the end, your choice depends on what you prioritize: ultimate resolution and speed or portability and video flexibility. Both mirrorless champions deliver professional-grade results, but their core design philosophies serve distinct user narratives.

Exploring these cameras side by side gives us a compelling glimpse into today’s mirrorless market evolution - where resolution meets mobility, and hybrid workflows thrive. Whichever you pick, you’ll be investing in an expertly engineered tool capable of elevating your craft.

Happy shooting!