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Nikon Z5 Vs Panasonic Lumix S5: Which Camera Offers The Best Bang For Your Buck?

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

  • However, the Nikon Z5 has a slight edge in terms of resolution, while the Panasonic Lumix S5 has a slight edge in terms of dynamic range.
  • The Panasonic Lumix S5 is a good choice for photographers who are looking for a camera with excellent video capabilities, a wide range of features, and a more modern design.

The Nikon Z5 and the Panasonic Lumix S5 are two of the most popular full-frame mirrorless cameras on the market. Both cameras offer excellent image quality, 4K video recording, and a wide range of features. But which one is the best choice for you?

In this blog post, we’ll compare the Nikon Z5 and the Panasonic Lumix S5 in detail, so you can make an informed decision about which camera is right for you.

Sensor and Image Quality

The Nikon Z5 and the Panasonic Lumix S5 both have 24-megapixel full-frame sensors. However, there are some key differences between the two sensors.

The Nikon Z5’s sensor has a slightly higher resolution than the Panasonic Lumix S5’s sensor. This means that the Nikon Z5 can capture images with more detail. However, the Panasonic Lumix S5’s sensor has a wider dynamic range than the Nikon Z5’s sensor. This means that the Panasonic Lumix S5 can capture images with more detail in the shadows and highlights.

In general, the Nikon Z5 and the Panasonic Lumix S5 offer excellent image quality. However, the Nikon Z5 has a slight edge in terms of resolution, while the Panasonic Lumix S5 has a slight edge in terms of dynamic range.

Autofocus

The Nikon Z5 and the Panasonic Lumix S5 both have excellent autofocus systems. However, there are some key differences between the two systems.

The Nikon Z5’s autofocus system is based on a phase-detection system with 273 focus points. The Panasonic Lumix S5’s autofocus system is based on a contrast-detection system with 225 focus points.

The Nikon Z5’s autofocus system is generally faster and more accurate than the Panasonic Lumix S5’s autofocus system. However, the Panasonic Lumix S5’s autofocus system is better at tracking moving subjects.

Video

The Nikon Z5 and the Panasonic Lumix S5 both offer excellent video capabilities. However, there are some key differences between the two cameras.

The Nikon Z5 can record 4K video at up to 30fps. The Panasonic Lumix S5 can record 4K video at up to 60fps.

The Nikon Z5 has a built-in microphone, while the Panasonic Lumix S5 does not.

The Panasonic Lumix S5 has a headphone jack, while the Nikon Z5 does not.

Overall, the Panasonic Lumix S5 offers better video capabilities than the Nikon Z5.

Build Quality and Ergonomics

The Nikon Z5 and the Panasonic Lumix S5 are both well-built cameras. However, there are some key differences between the two cameras.

The Nikon Z5 is made of magnesium alloy, while the Panasonic Lumix S5 is made of a combination of magnesium alloy and plastic.

The Nikon Z5 is slightly smaller and lighter than the Panasonic Lumix S5.

The Nikon Z5 has a more traditional DSLR-like design, while the Panasonic Lumix S5 has a more modern mirrorless design.

Overall, the Nikon Z5 and the Panasonic Lumix S5 are both well-built cameras. However, the Nikon Z5 is slightly smaller and lighter, and it has a more traditional DSLR-like design.

Price

The Nikon Z5 is priced at $1,399, while the Panasonic Lumix S5 is priced at $1,999.

Which Camera is Right for You?

The Nikon Z5 and the Panasonic Lumix S5 are both excellent full-frame mirrorless cameras. However, there are some key differences between the two cameras.

The Nikon Z5 is a good choice for photographers who are looking for a compact and lightweight camera with excellent image quality and autofocus.

The Panasonic Lumix S5 is a good choice for photographers who are looking for a camera with excellent video capabilities, a wide range of features, and a more modern design.

Ultimately, the best camera for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

Final Thoughts

The Nikon Z5 and the Panasonic Lumix S5 are both excellent full-frame mirrorless cameras. They offer excellent image quality, 4K video recording, and a wide range of features. However, there are some key differences between the two cameras.

The Nikon Z5 is a good choice for photographers who are looking for a compact and lightweight camera with excellent image quality and autofocus.

The Panasonic Lumix S5 is a good choice for photographers who are looking for a camera with excellent video capabilities, a wide range of features, and a more modern design.

Ultimately, the best camera for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

Information You Need to Know

Q: Which camera has better image quality, the Nikon Z5 or the Panasonic Lumix S5?

A: Both cameras offer excellent image quality. However, the Nikon Z5 has a slight edge in terms of resolution, while the Panasonic Lumix S5 has a slight edge in terms of dynamic range.

Q: Which camera has better autofocus, the Nikon Z5 or the Panasonic Lumix S5?

A: The Nikon Z5’s autofocus system is generally faster and more accurate than the Panasonic Lumix S5’s autofocus system. However, the Panasonic Lumix S5’s autofocus system is better at tracking moving subjects.

Q: Which camera has better video capabilities, the Nikon Z5 or the Panasonic Lumix S5?

A: The Panasonic Lumix S5 has better video capabilities than the Nikon Z5. The Panasonic Lumix S5 can record 4K video at up to 60fps, while the Nikon Z5 can only record 4K video at up to 30fps. The Panasonic Lumix S5 also has a headphone jack, while the Nikon Z5 does not.

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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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