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Panasonic GH5 vs Sony ZV-E1

Portability
59
Imaging
60
Features
89
Overall
71
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 front
 
Sony ZV-E1 front
Portability
80
Imaging
67
Features
89
Overall
75

Panasonic GH5 vs Sony ZV-E1 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
  • Released January 2017
  • Older Model is Panasonic GH4
  • Replacement is Panasonic GH5 II
Sony ZV-E1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Bump to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 1920 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 483g - 121 x 72 x 54mm
  • Announced March 2023
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Panasonic GH5 vs Sony ZV-E1 Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Panasonic GH5 vs Sony ZV-E1, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the GH5 (20MP) and ZV-E1 (12MP) and the GH5 (Four Thirds) and ZV-E1 (Full frame) feature different sensor sizes.

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The GH5 was revealed 7 years before the ZV-E1 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GH5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony ZV-E1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a full comparison, below is a quick overview of how the GH5 grades against the ZV-E1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5 over the Sony ZV-E1

 GH5 ZV-E1 
Display sizing3.2"3.00"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1620k1037kCrisper display (+583k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony ZV-E1 over the Panasonic GH5

 ZV-E1 GH5 
AnnouncedMarch 2023January 2017More modern by 75 months

Common features in the Panasonic GH5 and Sony ZV-E1

 GH5 ZV-E1 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Panasonic GH5 vs Sony ZV-E1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GH5 has got external dimensions of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") with a weight of 725 grams (1.60 lbs) and the Sony ZV-E1 has dimensions of 121mm x 72mm x 54mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.1") having a weight of 483 grams (1.06 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic GH5 vs Sony ZV-E1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select during that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the GH5 compared to the ZV-E1.

Panasonic GH5 vs Sony ZV-E1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GH5 and ZV-E1 is 59 and 80 respectively.

Panasonic GH5 vs Sony ZV-E1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH5 vs Sony ZV-E1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to picture the difference between sensor sizes purely by reviewing technical specs. The image underneath should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the GH5 and ZV-E1.

As you can tell, each of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The GH5 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Panasonic GH5 will deliver greater detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged GH5 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic GH5 vs Sony ZV-E1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH5 vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH5 vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Portrait photography features
Sony ZV-E1 Portrait photography features
76
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
72
you can focus manually
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Street photography info
Sony ZV-E1 Street photography info
74
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
features focus by touch
weather proof
good ISO range (25,600)
84
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
offers focus via touch
environment proofing
lighter than competition (483g)
good ISO range (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Sports photography advice
Sony ZV-E1 Sports photography advice
68
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
no phase detect AF
72
quiet mode (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proofing
good battery (570 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
max shutter speed is low (1/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH5 as a Travel photography camera
Sony ZV-E1 as a Travel photography camera
68
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
features focus by touch
megapixel count decent (20MP)
selfie friendly display
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
79
good battery (570 per charge)
lighter than competition (483 grams)
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
offers focus via touch
display is selfie friendly
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Landscape photography advice
Sony ZV-E1 Landscape photography advice
75
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
no anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
has dual storage slots
not so great battery pack (410 CIPA)
79
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3.00")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
good ISO range (102,400)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
good battery (570 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony ZV-E1 as a Vlogging camera
75
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focusing
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
comes with microphone jack
85
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 1920 pxls)
includes external mic jack
lighter than competition (483g)
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Panasonic GH5 vs Sony ZV-E1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH5 and Sony ZV-E1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5Sony ZV-E1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 Sony ZV-E1
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2017-01-04 2023-03-29
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 4240 x 2832
Max native ISO 25600 102400
Max boosted ISO - 409600
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO 100 40
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 225 759
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 195
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display size 3.2" 3.00"
Display resolution 1,620 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,680 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s -
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/16000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Redeye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On w/Redeye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Redeye Reduction, Forced Off no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XA3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 4096x2160 3840x1920
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 725 gr (1.60 lbs) 483 gr (1.06 lbs)
Dimensions 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") 121 x 72 x 54mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 570 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs; 10 secs w/3 shots) Yes
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Dual Single
Cost at launch $1,298 $2,198