Panasonic GH5 vs Sony ZV-E1
59 Imaging
59 Features
89 Overall
71


80 Imaging
66 Features
89 Overall
75
Panasonic GH5 vs Sony ZV-E1 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Panasonic GH5 vs Sony ZV-E1 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 and Sony ZV-E1. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic GH5 Gallery and Sony ZV-E1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5 over the Sony ZV-E1
GH5 | ZV-E1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 3.2" | ![]() | 3.00" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 1620k | ![]() | 1037k | Crisper display (+583k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony ZV-E1 over the Panasonic GH5
ZV-E1 | GH5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | March 2023 | ![]() | January 2017 | More modern by 75 months |
Common features in the Panasonic GH5 and Sony ZV-E1
GH5 | ZV-E1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fully Articulated | Fully 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH5 vs Sony ZV-E1 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 | Sony 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 |