Clicky

Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic GH5 II

Portability
51
Imaging
82
Features
90
Overall
85
Nikon Z9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
63
Features
89
Overall
73

Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic GH5 II Key Specs

Nikon Z9
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 1340g - 149 x 150 x 91mm
  • Released October 2021
Panasonic GH5 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4992 x 3744 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 727g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Launched July 2021
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DC-GH5M2
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GH5
  • Renewed by Panasonic GH6
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic GH5 II Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Nikon Z9 and Panasonic GH5 II, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the Z9 (46MP) and GH5 II (20MP) and the Z9 (Full frame) and GH5 II (Four Thirds) possess different sensor measurements.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

The Z9 was launched 3 months later than the GH5 II so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the Z9 scores versus the GH5 II for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon Z9 over the Panasonic GH5 II

 Z9 GH5 II 
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2089k1840kSharper display (+249k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5 II over the Nikon Z9

 GH5 II Z9 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon Z9 and Panasonic GH5 II

 Z9 GH5 II 
LaunchedOctober 2021July 2021Same generation
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic GH5 II Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z9 offers external dimensions of 149mm x 150mm x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") along with a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs) while the Panasonic GH5 II has measurements of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") with a weight of 727 grams (1.60 lbs).

Compare the Nikon Z9 and Panasonic GH5 II in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the Z9 vs the GH5 II.

Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic GH5 II size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z9 and GH5 II is 51 and 59 respectively.

Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic GH5 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic GH5 II Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizing just by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic here should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the Z9 and GH5 II.

As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The Z9 because of its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Nikon Z9 will render more detail utilizing its extra 26 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics far more aggressively.

Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic GH5 II sensor size comparison

Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic GH5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic GH5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z9 Portrait photography information
Panasonic GH5 II Portrait photography information
89
focusing manually
excellent resolution (46MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers face detection focus
supports RAW formats
77
has manual focus
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW files
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Street Comparison

Nikon Z9 Street photography information
Panasonic GH5 II Street photography information
70
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
features focus via touch
weather proofing
very good high ISO (25,600)
more heavy than competition (1,340g)
74
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
supports focus via touch
weather proofing
very good high ISO (25,600)
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Sports Comparison

Nikon Z9 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic GH5 II Sports photography highlights
91
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (30.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent resolution (46 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
good battery pack (740 shots)
supports phase detect auto focus
70
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
bad battery pack (400 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon Z9
Travel photography with Panasonic GH5 II
65
good battery pack (740 CIPA)
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
features focus via touch
excellent resolution (46MP)
more heavy than competition (1,340 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly display
69
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
supports focus via touch
MP count decent (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
bad battery pack (400 per charge)
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z9 Landscape photography info
Panasonic GH5 II Landscape photography info
87
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent resolution (46 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
good battery pack (740 shots)
has double storage slots
76
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
no low pass filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
has double storage slots
bad battery pack (400 shots)
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z9 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GH5 II as a Vlogging camera
32
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focus
high res video (7680 x 4320 resolution)
comes with external microphone port
does not contain selfie friendly display
more heavy than competition (1,340g)
76
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focusing
video res high (4992 x 3744 pixels)
comes with external mic port
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic GH5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z9 and Panasonic GH5 II
 Nikon Z9Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 II
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Z9 Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 II
Also Known as - Lumix DC-GH5M2
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2021-10-28 2021-07-30
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type Stacked CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 46MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 8256 x 5504 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Max enhanced ISO 102400 -
Minimum native ISO 64 200
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO 32 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 493 225
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 29 108
Crop factor 1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 2,089k dot 1,840k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686k dot 3,680k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.76x
Features
Min shutter speed 900 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed - 1/8000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 30.0 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Front-curtain sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 7680 x 4320 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, L 4992x3744 (30p/?25p/?24p)
Max video resolution 7680x4320 4992x3744
Video format H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1340 grams (2.95 pounds) 727 grams (1.60 pounds)
Dimensions 149 x 150 x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1136
Other
Battery life 740 images 400 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL18d DMW-BLK22
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual CFexpress Type B slots Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots 2 2
Price at release $5,500 $1,700