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Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic S5 II X

Portability
51
Imaging
81
Features
90
Overall
84
Nikon Z9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 Mark II X front
Portability
59
Imaging
78
Features
93
Overall
84

Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic S5 II X Key Specs

Nikon Z9
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 1340g - 149 x 150 x 91mm
  • Announced October 2021
Panasonic S5 II X
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 5952 x 3968 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 740g - 134 x 102 x 90mm
  • Released January 2023
  • Previous Model is Panasonic S5
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Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic S5 II X Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic S5 II X, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the Z9 (46MP) and S5 II X (24MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (Full frame).

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The Z9 was introduced 14 months prior to the S5 II X which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. The two cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the Z9 matches up against the S5 II X in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z9 over the Panasonic S5 II X

 Z9 S5 II X 
Screen sizing3.2"3.00"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2089k1840kClearer screen (+249k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S5 II X over the Nikon Z9

 S5 II X Z9 
ReleasedJanuary 2023October 2021Newer by 14 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon Z9 and Panasonic S5 II X

 Z9 S5 II X 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic S5 II X Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon Z9 has outside 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) whilst the Panasonic S5 II X has specifications of 134mm x 102mm x 90mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 3.5") and a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

See the Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic S5 II X in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the Z9 and the S5 II X.

Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic S5 II X size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Z9 and S5 II X is 51 and 59 respectively.

Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic S5 II X top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic S5 II X Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reading specifications. The image here will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the Z9 and S5 II X.

Plainly, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Nikon Z9 to offer you extra detail using its extra 22 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged Z9 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic S5 II X sensor size comparison

Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic S5 II X Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic S5 II X Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z9 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic S5 II X Portrait photography advice
88
has manual focus
MP count fantastic (46 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection focus
exports RAW files
86
has manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z9 Street photography highlights
Panasonic S5 II X Street photography highlights
70
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
includes touch to focus
environment proofing
very good ISO range (25,600)
more heavy than competition in class (1,340g)
77
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
supports touch focus
environment sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z9 Sports photography information
Panasonic S5 II X Sports photography information
90
silent mode (1/32,000s)
high max fps (30.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count fantastic (46MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
great battery power (740 shots)
has phase detect auto focus
83
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
low battery power (370 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon Z9
Travel photography with Panasonic S5 II X
65
great battery power (740 shots)
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
includes touch to focus
MP count fantastic (46MP)
more heavy than competition in class (1,340 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
72
environment sealing
has bluetooth
supports touch focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
low battery power (370 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z9 Landscape photography details
Panasonic S5 II X Landscape photography details
87
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count fantastic (46MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
great battery power (740 shots)
has double storage slots
82
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
good sized screen (3.00")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
two card slots
low battery power (370 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z9 Vlogging factors
Panasonic S5 II X Vlogging factors
32
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focus
video resolution high (7680 x 4320 resolution)
has external microphone port
screen isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competition in class (1,340g)
79
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
video res high (5952 x 3968 resolution)
comes with mic socket
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Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic S5 II X Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z9 and Panasonic S5 II X
 Nikon Z9Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 Mark II X
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Z9 Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 Mark II X
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2021-10-28 2023-01-04
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type Stacked CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 46MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 8256 x 5504 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 25600 51200
Highest boosted ISO 102400 204800
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW format
Minimum boosted ISO 32 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 493 779
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Leica L
Total lenses 29 65
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3.00 inch
Display resolution 2,089k dots 1,840k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686k dots 3,680k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 900s 60s
Highest shutter speed - 1/8000s
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/32000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 30.0 frames per sec 9.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings 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 w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 5952 x 3968 @ 30p/24p
Highest video resolution 7680x4320 5952x3968
Video format H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 2 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1340 grams (2.95 lb) 740 grams (1.63 lb)
Dimensions 149 x 150 x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") 134 x 102 x 90mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 3.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 740 shots 370 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL18d DMW-BLJ31
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual CFexpress Type B slots SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card
Card slots Dual Dual
Retail price $5,500 $2,199