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Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
59
Imaging
60
Features
89
Overall
71
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Panasonic GH5
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 725g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Introduced January 2017
  • Old Model is Panasonic GH4
  • Successor is Panasonic GH5 II
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Panasonic GH5 versus Panasonic SZ1, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are sold by Panasonic. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the GH5 (20MP) and SZ1 (16MP) and the GH5 (Four Thirds) and SZ1 (1/2.3") feature different sensor measurements.

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The GH5 was brought out 5 years later than the SZ1 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GH5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief overview of how the GH5 grades versus the SZ1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5 over the Panasonic SZ1

 GH5 SZ1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2017January 2012Fresher by 61 months
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1620k230kSharper screen (+1390k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic GH5

 SZ1 GH5 

Common features in the Panasonic GH5 and Panasonic SZ1

 GH5 SZ1 

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GH5 offers outside measurements of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") having a weight of 725 grams (1.60 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ1 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic GH5 versus Panasonic SZ1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use during that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the GH5 and the SZ1.

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the GH5 and SZ1 is 59 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing just by reading specifications. The visual here should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the GH5 and SZ1.

To sum up, each of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The GH5 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic GH5 will deliver extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The fresher GH5 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Portrait photography details
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography details
76
manual focus
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
delivers RAW files
34
MP count good (16MP)
comes with face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Street photography details
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography details
74
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
offers touch focus
environment proof
great high ISO (25,600)
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (131g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Sports photography features
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography features
68
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
bad battery life (410 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH5 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Travel photography camera
68
environment proof
has bluetooth
offers touch focus
decent MP (20MP)
selfie friendly display
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
70
lighter than competition (131 grams)
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
missing Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography factors
75
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
does not have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
2 card slots
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
43
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH5 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Vlogging camera
75
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
includes external microphone support
32
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than competition (131g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone support
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH5 and Panasonic SZ1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2017-01-04 2012-01-09
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 225 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance - 4cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2" 3"
Display resolution 1,620 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,680 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1600s
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Redeye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On w/Redeye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Redeye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 725 grams (1.60 lb) 131 grams (0.29 lb)
Dimensions 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 77 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 807 not tested
Other
Battery life 410 photos 250 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs; 10 secs w/3 shots) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 2 One
Pricing at release $1,298 $179