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Nikon Z6 Vs Panasonic Gh5: Battle Of The Hybrid Cameras

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively...

What To Know

  • It also has a longer battery life and a more comprehensive set of video features, such as anamorphic mode and time-lapse recording.
  • If you’re on a budget or you need a camera that’s small and light, the Panasonic GH5 is a great option.

The Nikon Z6 and Panasonic GH5 are two of the most popular mirrorless cameras on the market. Both cameras offer excellent image quality, 4K video recording, and a wide range of features. But which one is right for you? In this blog post, we’ll compare the Nikon Z6 and Panasonic GH5 head-to-head to help you make a decision.

Sensor and Image Quality

The Nikon Z6 has a 24.5MP full-frame sensor, while the Panasonic GH5 has a 20.3MP Four Thirds sensor. Full-frame sensors are generally considered to be better than Four Thirds sensors in terms of image quality, but there are some advantages to Four Thirds sensors as well.

Full-frame sensors have a larger surface area than Four Thirds sensors, which means they can capture more light. This results in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Full-frame sensors also have a shallower depth of field, which can be used to create beautiful bokeh effects.

Four Thirds sensors are smaller and lighter than full-frame sensors, which makes them more portable. They also have a longer focal length, which can be useful for wildlife and sports photography.

Video Quality

Both the Nikon Z6 and Panasonic GH5 can record 4K video at up to 60fps. However, there are some key differences between the two cameras’ video capabilities.

The Nikon Z6 has a larger sensor, which gives it a shallower depth of field and better low-light performance. It also has a built-in ND filter, which can be used to reduce the amount of light entering the lens.

The Panasonic GH5 has a higher frame rate, which allows you to capture slow-motion video. It also has a longer battery life and a more comprehensive set of video features, such as anamorphic mode and time-lapse recording.

Autofocus

The Nikon Z6 and Panasonic GH5 both have excellent autofocus systems. However, there are some key differences between the two cameras’ AF systems.

The Nikon Z6 has a hybrid autofocus system that uses both phase-detection and contrast-detection AF. This gives it very fast and accurate autofocus, even in low-light conditions.

The Panasonic GH5 has a contrast-detection AF system. This is not as fast or accurate as phase-detection AF, but it is still very good. The GH5 also has a unique feature called DFD (Depth From Defocus), which can help to improve autofocus accuracy in low-light conditions.

Build Quality and Ergonomics

The Nikon Z6 and Panasonic GH5 are both well-built cameras. However, the Z6 has a more robust build quality and is better weather-sealed. It also has a larger and more comfortable grip.

The Panasonic GH5 is smaller and lighter than the Z6, which makes it more portable. It also has a more intuitive control layout and a better-articulating LCD screen.

Price

The Nikon Z6 is priced at $1,999, while the Panasonic GH5 is priced at $1,299. This makes the GH5 a more affordable option for those on a budget.

Which Camera is Right for You?

The Nikon Z6 and Panasonic GH5 are both excellent mirrorless cameras. The Z6 has a larger sensor, better image quality, and a more robust build quality. The GH5 is smaller, lighter, and more affordable. It also has a higher frame rate and a more comprehensive set of video features.

Ultimately, the best camera for you depends on your individual needs and budget. If you’re looking for the best possible image quality and build quality, the Nikon Z6 is the way to go. If you’re on a budget or you need a camera that’s small and light, the Panasonic GH5 is a great option.

The Verdict

The Nikon Z6 and Panasonic GH5 are both excellent mirrorless cameras. The Z6 has a larger sensor, better image quality, and a more robust build quality. The GH5 is smaller, lighter, and more affordable. It also has a higher frame rate and a more comprehensive set of video features.

Ultimately, the best camera for you depends on your individual needs and budget. If you’re looking for the best possible image quality and build quality, the Nikon Z6 is the way to go. If you’re on a budget or you need a camera that’s small and light, the Panasonic GH5 is a great option.

Popular Questions

Q: Which camera has better image quality, the Nikon Z6 or the Panasonic GH5?

A: The Nikon Z6 has better image quality than the Panasonic GH5, thanks to its larger sensor and better low-light performance.

Q: Which camera has better video quality, the Nikon Z6 or the Panasonic GH5?

A: The Panasonic GH5 has better video quality than the Nikon Z6, thanks to its higher frame rate and more comprehensive set of video features.

Q: Which camera has better autofocus, the Nikon Z6 or the Panasonic GH5?

A: The Nikon Z6 has better autofocus than the Panasonic GH5, thanks to its hybrid AF system.

Q: Which camera is better built, the Nikon Z6 or the Panasonic GH5?

A: The Nikon Z6 is better built than the Panasonic GH5, thanks to its more robust build quality and better weather-sealing.

Q: Which camera is more affordable, the Nikon Z6 or the Panasonic GH5?

A: The Panasonic GH5 is more affordable than the Nikon Z6.

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Lindsey

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively testing and reviewing Nikon's latest mirrorless cameras like the Z5, Z6, Z7 and Z50 on her blog. Through her writing on lindseyshoots.com, Lindsey aims to help other photographers make the transition from DSLRs to mirrorless. She shares detailed hands-on reviews, comparisons between different mirrorless camera models, tips for beginners, and photo tutorials. When she isn't testing cameras, Lindsey enjoys landscape, street and travel photography. Her work has been published in several magazines and online publications. Lindsey is also a member of the Nikon Professional Services program.
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