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Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic SZ7

Portability
59
Imaging
60
Features
89
Overall
71
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
41
Overall
39

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic SZ7 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 725g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Launched January 2017
  • Older Model is Panasonic GH4
  • Successor is Panasonic GH5 II
Panasonic SZ7
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2012
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic SZ7 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Panasonic GH5 and Panasonic SZ7, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are built by Panasonic. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the GH5 (20MP) and SZ7 (14MP) and the GH5 (Four Thirds) and SZ7 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor size.

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The GH5 was released 5 years later than the SZ7 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GH5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ7 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the GH5 matches up vs the SZ7 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5 over the Panasonic SZ7

 GH5 SZ7 
ReleasedJanuary 2017January 2012More recent by 61 months
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1620k460kSharper display (+1160k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Panasonic GH5

 SZ7 GH5 

Common features in the Panasonic GH5 and Panasonic SZ7

 GH5 SZ7 

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic SZ7 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GH5 has got physical dimensions of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") having a weight of 725 grams (1.60 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ7 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

See the Panasonic GH5 and Panasonic SZ7 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select during that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the GH5 against the SZ7.

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic SZ7 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the GH5 and SZ7 is 59 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic SZ7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic SZ7 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to envision the difference between sensor measurements just by going over specifications. The graphic here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the GH5 and SZ7.

To sum up, each of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The GH5 due to its larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Panasonic GH5 will offer you greater detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop photos more aggressively. The more modern GH5 will have an edge in sensor tech.

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic SZ7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GH5
Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ7
76
manual focus
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
34
MP count good (14MP)
includes face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GH5
Street photography with Panasonic SZ7
74
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
environment proof
great high ISO (25,600)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (133 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Sports photography features
Panasonic SZ7 Sports photography features
68
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
not so great battery (410 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
44
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic SZ7 Travel photography highlights
68
environment proof
supports bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
decent MP (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
not so great battery (410 per charge)
70
lighter than competition in class (133 grams)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
no Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic SZ7 Landscape photography advice
75
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
2 card slots
not so great battery (410 shots)
42
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Vlogging advice
Panasonic SZ7 Vlogging advice
75
display is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes mic support
35
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (133 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
no mic support
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Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic SZ7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH5 and Panasonic SZ7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
Type Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2017-01-04 2012-01-09
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 225 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 4cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,620 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,680 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1600s
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shutter rate 12.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 5.60 m
Flash modes 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 metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 725 grams (1.60 lbs) 133 grams (0.29 lbs)
Physical 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 rating 77 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 807 not tested
Other
Battery life 410 photographs 220 photographs
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 recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Dual 1
Price at release $1,298 $199