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Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
62
Imaging
60
Features
90
Overall
72
Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs

Panasonic G9
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 658g - 137 x 97 x 92mm
  • Revealed November 2017
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
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ8
Photography Glossary

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

Following is a thorough comparison of the Panasonic G9 versus Panasonic ZS5, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both produced by Panasonic. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the G9 (20MP) and ZS5 (12MP) and the G9 (Four Thirds) and ZS5 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor size.

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The G9 was introduced 7 years after the ZS5 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic G9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summary of how the G9 matches up vs the ZS5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G9 over the Panasonic ZS5

 G9 ZS5 
LaunchedNovember 2017June 2010More modern by 91 months
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kCrisper display (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Panasonic G9

 ZS5 G9 

Common features in the Panasonic G9 and Panasonic ZS5

 G9 ZS5 

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic G9 comes with exterior dimensions of 137mm x 97mm x 92mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 3.6") having a weight of 658 grams (1.45 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS5 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic G9 versus Panasonic ZS5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the G9 compared to the ZS5.

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the G9 and ZS5 is 62 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes merely by going over specifications. The picture here will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the G9 and ZS5.

Plainly, both cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The G9 using its larger sensor will make getting shallow DOF less difficult and the Panasonic G9 will deliver greater detail using its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics far more aggressively. The more modern G9 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G9 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography factors
76
focusing manually
good resolution (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
27
offers face detection autofocus
no manual focus
external flash not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G9 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Street photography camera
75
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
weather sealing
very good ISO range (25,600)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (214 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G9 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography highlights
70
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
max fps high (20.0 fps)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
weather sealing
not so great battery (400 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
31
image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300s)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G9 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography highlights
70
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
comes with touch to focus
good resolution (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
not so great battery (400 shots)
63
lighter than competition in class (214 grams)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G9 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Landscape photography camera
76
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
does not have anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
has double storage slots
not so great battery (400 per charge)
33
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G9 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging highlights
76
selfie friendly screen
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have external mic port
31
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than competition in class (214g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic port
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Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G9 and Panasonic ZS5
 Panasonic Lumix DC-G9Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2017-11-08 2010-06-16
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW data
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 225 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,680 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.83x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1300 secs
Highest silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 20.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 5.30 m
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 658g (1.45 lb) 214g (0.47 lb)
Dimensions 137 x 97 x 92mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 3.6") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 400 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID DMW-BLF19 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Dual Single
Launch cost $1,500 $300