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Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
74
Imaging
52
Features
66
Overall
57
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs

Panasonic G5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 396g - 120 x 83 x 71mm
  • Announced July 2012
  • Old Model is Panasonic G3
  • New Model is Panasonic G6
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Revealed January 2014
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Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Here is a in depth review of the Panasonic G5 and Panasonic SZ8, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both produced by Panasonic. The image resolution of the G5 (16MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is fairly well matched but the G5 (Four Thirds) and SZ8 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor measurements.

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The G5 was revealed 17 months prior to the SZ8 making them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic G5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the G5 scores against the SZ8 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G5 over the Panasonic SZ8

 G5 SZ8 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic G5

 SZ8 G5 
RevealedJanuary 2014July 2012Fresher by 17 months

Common features in the Panasonic G5 and Panasonic SZ8

 G5 SZ8 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements

Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic G5 comes with external measurements of 120mm x 83mm x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ8 has sizing of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic G5 and Panasonic SZ8 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at the time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the G5 versus the SZ8.

Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the G5 and SZ8 is 74 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing merely by looking at a spec sheet. The graphic underneath should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the G5 and SZ8.

Clearly, the 2 cameras have the same resolution but not the same sensor sizing. The G5 has got the larger sensor which is going to make achieving shallower depth of field simpler. The older G5 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G5 Portrait photography information
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography information
71
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
35
good MP (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G5 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Street photography camera
66
fully articulated screen
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
offers touch to focus
no image stabilization
heavier than average in class (396 grams)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (159 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic G5
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
51
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
34
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (200 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G5 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Travel photography camera
66
offers touch to focus
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than average in class (396 grams)
67
lighter than competitors in class (159g)
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great zoom (288mm)
no Timelapse mode
low battery power (200 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G5 Landscape photography details
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography details
65
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
no Time Lapse recording
42
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
low battery power (200 shots)
no Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G5 Vlogging details
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging details
62
selfie friendly display
screen is touchscreen
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
no image stabilization
no mic jack
heavier than average in class (396g)
32
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than competitors in class (159 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone socket
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Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G5 and Panasonic SZ8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-07-17 2014-01-06
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine VII FHD Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 12800 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-288mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.1-6.3
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 920 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.50 m 5.20 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 396 grams (0.87 lb) 159 grams (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 120 x 83 x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 61 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 618 not tested
Other
Battery life 320 pictures 200 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $699 $275