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Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
72
Imaging
47
Features
60
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs

Panasonic G2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 428g - 124 x 84 x 74mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Replaced the Panasonic G1
  • Replacement is Panasonic G3
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
  • Released June 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

Lets look much closer at the Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic ZS5, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both built by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the G2 (12MP) and the ZS5 (12MP) is very similar but the G2 (Four Thirds) and ZS5 (1/2.3") feature different sensor measurements.

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The G2 was launched at a similar time to the ZS5 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic G2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the G2 grades versus the ZS5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G2 over the Panasonic ZS5

 G2 ZS5 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Panasonic G2

 ZS5 G2 

Common features in the Panasonic G2 and Panasonic ZS5

 G2 ZS5 
ReleasedJuly 2010June 2010Similar generation

Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic G2 provides exterior dimensions of 124mm x 84mm x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS5 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic ZS5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the G2 versus the ZS5.

Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the G2 and ZS5 is 72 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to picture the gap between sensor measurements purely by reading technical specs. The graphic here will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the G2 and ZS5.

As you have seen, both of these cameras offer the same exact MP but different sensor measurements. The G2 includes the larger sensor which is going to make obtaining shallow DOF simpler.

Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G2 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography information
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
27
supports face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G2 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS5 Street photography advice
65
fully articulated screen
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
has focus via touch
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (428 grams)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (214g)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G2 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography highlights
40
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow fps (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
no phase detect autofocus
31
image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300s)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Travel photography camera
58
has focus via touch
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (428 grams)
low resolution (12MP)
63
lighter than average (214 grams)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic G2
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS5
57
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
33
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G2 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging details
61
selfie friendly display
touchscreen capability
comes with face detection autofocus
has external mic socket
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
heavier than competition in class (428g)
31
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than average (214 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone socket
Photography Glossary

Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G2 and Panasonic ZS5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-07-12 2010-06-16
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD II Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 11.00 m 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD Lite, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 428g (0.94 lbs) 214g (0.47 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 84 x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 53 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 493 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $1,000 $300