Panasonic Lumix FZ70 vs GH5: A Comprehensive Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing the right camera is often about matching your creative ambitions with the tool that best supports them. In this detailed comparison, we pit two very different Panasonic Lumix models - the compact superzoom FZ70 and the professional-grade mirrorless powerhouse GH5 - head-to-head. Having tested thousands of cameras across disciplines, I’ll walk you through their strengths and limitations, so you can confidently decide which fits your style, budget, and workflow.

First Impressions: Build, Size, and Handling

At a glance, the Panasonic FZ70 and GH5 signal very different photographic intentions.

• FZ70: This is a bridge camera with a fixed superzoom lens covering an enormous 20-1200mm equivalent focal range (60× zoom). It’s relatively compact and lightweight at 606g, with an SLR-like bridge body designed for versatile shooting without swapping lenses. Ergonomically, it’s geared toward casual users and enthusiasts seeking travel-friendly all-in-one convenience.

• GH5: A robust, pro-level mirrorless camera with a substantial body weighing 725g (body only). It features a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens mount offering access to over 100 compatible lenses from Panasonic and third parties. Its weather-sealed construction and SLR-style design prioritize durability and professional handling.

In practice, the GH5’s heft conveys reassuring solidity and balances well with large lenses, while the FZ70 feels nimble and intuitive for casual shoot-and-go use.

City Streets to Wild Safaris: Control Layout and Operation

Control-wise, the GH5 shines with extensive tactile buttons, dual card slots, customizable dials, and a modern touchscreen. It supports touchscreen AF selection, quick menu customization, and fully articulating LCD, making it a creator’s dream for video and photo.

In contrast, the FZ70 uses more traditional controls with fewer buttons and a fixed LCD screen. It lacks touchscreen input and has only basic exposure flexibility. While it covers essentials like manual exposure modes and 9 fps continuous shooting, it doesn’t reach the workflow customization or responsiveness of the GH5.

Sensor Technology & Image Quality: A Quantum Leap

Sensor size often dictates image quality and creative control - and here the difference is stark.

Thanks to its large MFT sensor, the GH5 significantly outperforms the FZ70 across all key image quality metrics. It delivers:

• Cleaner images in low light
• Higher dynamic range allowing better detail preservation in shadows/highlights
• More accurate and richer color reproduction

The FZ70’s tiny sensor size limits noise performance and dynamic range. While it impresses for a superzoom, its images can appear softer with noticeable noise beyond ISO 800.

Autofocus and Focusing Flexibility: Speed Meets Precision

• FZ70:

  • 23 contrast-detection AF points
  • Face detection active; no phase detection
  • AF tracking present, but limited by sensor speed and accuracy
  • No touch focus or advanced subject recognition

• GH5:

  • 225 AF points with contrast-detection
  • Touchscreen AF with customizable areas
  • Superior continuous AF and tracking for moving subjects
  • Focus bracketing, stack focusing, and post-focus modes

The GH5’s high-density AF system offers much faster, more reliable autofocus in practically every shooting scenario, making it a clear winner for sports, wildlife, and event photography. The FZ70 is adequate for daylight and casual uses but struggles in low light or with fast-moving subjects.

Viewing Experience: Screens and Viewfinders

The GH5 sports a 3.2-inch fully articulating touchscreen with 1620k dots resolution - excellent for live preview, vlogging, and shooting video at awkward angles. Its electronic viewfinder boasts 3680k dots, 100% coverage, and 0.76× magnification, surpassing most mirrorless cameras in clarity and precision.

The FZ70 has a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with only 460k dots and an electronic viewfinder of 202k dots. While usable, it feels archaic next to the GH5’s detailed and flexible displays. The lack of touchscreen on the FZ70 limits intuitive control.

Zoom Lens vs Interchangeable Lenses: Creative Reach and Versatility

The fixed extreme zoom on the FZ70 is tremendous for travel and wildlife at a budget. You get ultra-telephoto reach without carrying extra gear. However, the GH5’s interchangeable lens system offers superior image quality, creative flexibility, and faster apertures.

With the GH5, you can pick:

• Fast primes for portraits and low light
• Wide angle for landscapes
• Dedicated macro lenses for close-ups
• Pro telephotos for wildlife and sports

The GH5’s 5-axis sensor stabilization also means sharper handheld photos and steady video across lens choices.

Performance in Key Photography Genres

Panasonic FZ70 front Panasonic FZ70 screen back Panasonic GH5 front Panasonic GH5 screen back

Portraits

• FZ70: Decent bokeh at long focal lengths but limited aperture range restricts shallow depth of field. Face detection helps get sharp eyes, but image quality softens in lower light.
• GH5: Superior skin tone rendering with high bit depth and excellent color accuracy. Fast lenses and background separation create professional-quality portraits. Eye detect AF aids sharp focus.

Landscapes

• FZ70: Sensor size limits dynamic range, which can constrain preserving sky and shadow details. Good zoom and portability support diverse compositions outdoors.
• GH5: Wide dynamic range, higher resolution, and extensive lens options make it ideal for detailed, vibrant landscapes. Weather sealing offers rugged use in tough conditions.

Wildlife

• FZ70: Long zoom is enticing for distant subjects, but autofocus can lag on fast-moving animals.
• GH5: Faster AF and better burst rate enable capturing action in sharp detail. Lens versatility allows tailored reach.

Sports

• FZ70: Continuous shooting is 9 fps, respectable for its class. However, AF tracking limitations weaken performance with unpredictable motion.
• GH5: 12 fps burst and superior AF tracking excel with fast, erratic subjects in challenging light.

Street

• FZ70: Compact size and quiet operation suit candid shooting, but bulkier than mirrorless cameras.
• GH5: Larger but with silent shutter modes and customizable controls for discreet shooting.

Macro

• FZ70: Can focus to 1 cm for decent close-ups.
• GH5: Dedicated macro lenses plus focus stacking and bracketing commands provide precision and versatility.

Night/Astro

• FZ70: Noise and limited ISO range constrain low-light star photography.
• GH5: Excellent high ISO performance and long exposure capabilities, aided by sensor stabilization.

Video

• FZ70: Full HD (1080p) recording up to 60ifps with Optical stabilization. No mic input limits audio quality.
• GH5: Industry-leading video specs with 4K up to 60fps, 10-bit color, V-LogL support, dual card slots, headphone/mic inputs, and 5-axis stabilization for pro use.

Durability, Battery Life, and Storage

Although both offer similar battery endurance, the GH5’s rugged sealing suits professional outdoor use. Dual card slots enhance reliability for critical shoots.

Performance Summary: Scores and Ratings

Based on DxOMark and practical test data:

• FZ70 scores 41 overall, excelling in zoom and convenience but constrained by sensor and autofocus.
• GH5 scores 77 overall, a versatile pro tool excelling in image quality, speed, video, and durability.

Choosing Based on Your Photography Focus

Connectivity and Workflow Integration

The GH5 features built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, making remote control and rapid content transfer seamless. USB 3.1 Gen 1 allows fast tethered shooting and data transfer. The FZ70 offers no wireless connectivity and relatively slow USB 2.0.

For professionals requiring RAW workflows, tethering, and fast file handling, the GH5 integrates smoothly with editing suites and studio gear. The FZ70 supports RAW but with limited options.

Price and Value: What You Get for Your Investment

The FZ70 offers unbeatable zoom and simplicity at a bargain, but sacrifices image quality and advanced features. The GH5 commands a premium reflecting its pro-level build, performance, and extensibility.

Final Takeaways and Recommendations

• If you want a versatile, budget-friendly travel camera with an ultra-zoom lens, the Panasonic FZ70 is a solid pick. It's excellent for casual outdoor snapshots, travel, and wildlife observation without changing lenses, provided you can tolerate its limited low light capability and dated interface.

• If you crave exceptional image quality, fast and precise autofocus, professional video, and a system that grows with your creativity, the Panasonic GH5 is unmatched in its class. Its rugged design and lens ecosystem open doors for portraits, landscapes, action sports, macro, and cinema-quality video work.

As always, the best camera is the one that fits your vision and inspires you to create. We encourage you to try both cameras hands-on if possible. Check out sample images, rent lenses, and explore the controls yourself. This experience is invaluable in aligning your choice with your creative path.

Whether you prioritize the all-in-one convenience of the FZ70 or the powerhouse flexibility of the GH5, both bring different strengths to your photographic journey. Equip yourself with knowledge and confidence - and happy shooting!

Want to dive deeper?

• Explore best lens options for the GH5 for your preferred genres.
• Check out practical low light shooting tips for small sensor cameras like the FZ70.
• Watch comparative video samples to see stabilization in action.

Enjoy exploring and pushing your creativity with whatever Panasonic Lumix camera you choose!

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