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Nikon Z 5 vs Panasonic LUMIX S5

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonZ 5PanasonicLUMIX S5
Overview
ReleasedAugust 2020September 2020
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeCMOSCMOS
Sensor dimensions35.9 × 23.9 mm35.6 × 23.8 mm
Effective resolution24.3 MP24.2 MP
Largest image6016 × 40166000 × 4000
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–51200100–51200
Sensor detailUK publishes 24.3 million effective pixels, Japan 24.32 million; 24.93 million total. Image-sensor cleaning and Image Dust Off reference data.24.2 million effective and 25.28 million total pixels; primary colour filter and sensor-shift dust reduction. Multi-shot high-resolution mode generates 96 MP composite files, separately from native single-exposure resolution
Image formatsNEF RAW 12/14-bit with lossless or compressed options, JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus JPEG. DX, square and 16:9 still crops supported.JPEG, RAW and HLG Photo; sRGB/Adobe RGB
ISO detailExpandable to equivalent ISO 50–102400; auto ISO availableStandard ISO 100–51200, expanded 50–204800; Dual Native ISO technology
Image processorEXPEED 6Venus Engine
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon Z mountL-Mount
StabilisationSensor shiftLens and sensor shift
Maximum continuous burst4.5 fps7 fps
Lens detailNIKKOR Z lenses; compatible F-mount NIKKOR lenses require an adapter with model-dependent restrictionsInterchangeable L-Mount body; kit 20–60mm lens is a separate configuration
AutofocusHybrid phase/contrast detection, 273 single-point FX positions and human/animal eye detection. Maker sensitivity −2 EV normally or −3 EV with low-light AF, in AF-S at ISO 100, 20°C and f/2.0.Contrast AF with DFD; face/eye/body/animal detection, tracking, 225-area and configurable zone/single-area modes; touch selection and joystick
ShutterMechanical focal-plane, electronic front-curtain and electronic shutters; 1/8000 to 30 seconds, Bulb and Time. Flash sync 1/200 second; Auto FP supported.Mechanical 1/8000–60 seconds and bulb up to approximately 30 minutes; electronic front curtain 1/2000–60 seconds; maker NA specification lists electronic shutter up to 1/16000, with separate bulb restrictions. Flash sync up to 1/250 second with guide-number/mode qualifications
Burst detailContinuous H up to 4.5 fps at full resolution with AF/AE; Continuous L 1–4 fpsNative 7 fps with AFS/MF or 5 fps AFC, mechanical or electronic. Maker buffer at least 24 RAW/RAW+JPEG or 999 JPEG with specified UHS-II card in slot 1. Video-derived reduced-resolution 6K/4K Photo modes are separate from full-resolution bursts
Stabilisation detailFive-axis image-sensor shift plus supported lens VR; TechRadar describes a five-stop claimFive-axis Body I.S., maker 5-stop CIPA yaw/pitch rating with S-R2060 at 60 mm; compatible-lens Dual I.S. 2 rated 6.5 stops with S-E70200 at 200 mm
FlashNo built-in flash; ISO 518 hot shoe with compatible i-TTL Speedlights and wireless-flash accessories–
Exposure controlsAuto/P/S/A/M and three user-setting banks; compensation ±5 EV; matrix, centre-weighted, spot and highlight-weighted metering1728-zone multi, centre-weighted, spot and highlight-weighted metering; still exposure compensation ±5 EV in one-third steps
Video
Highest video resolution3840 × 2160 at 29.97 fps4096 × 2160 at 59.94 fps
Video detailUHD 3840 × 2160 up to 29.97p with approximately 1.7× crop; Full HD up to 59.94p using full-frame image area. MOV/MP4 H.264, recordings up to 29 minutes 59 seconds; electronic VR, timecode and time-lapse. No 120p recording mode.Firmware 2.0 dated 24 November 2020 added internal C4K 4096×2160 at 59.94p/50p, 4:2:0 8-bit, and C4K 29.97p/25p/23.98p 4:2:2 10-bit. 4K/C4K 60p uses APS-C or pixel-by-pixel crop; full-frame 4K30 supports 10-bit. Launch camera recorded UHD rather than C4K. Firmware also added external 12-bit RAW up to 5888×3312 at 29.97p; compatible recorder required and not internal recording. V-Log/V-Gamut with maker 14+ stop claim; 10-bit recording has 30-minute clip limits, while specified 4K30 8-bit modes have no fixed clip limit subject to power/storage/operating conditions
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphones or 3.5 mm external microphone with attenuator; PCM in MOV or AAC in MP4, headphone monitoring availableBuilt-in stereo microphone and monaural speaker; microphone/line input, headphone monitoring and optional DMW-XLR1 adapter
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicElectronic
Screen size3.2″3″
Screen dots1,040,0001,840,000
TouchscreenYesYes
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailTilting touchscreen, approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixels. Maker size is 3.2 inches, rather than TechRadar's 3.0-inch wording.Three-inch 3:2 LCD, approximately 1.84 million dots, capacitive touch and free-angle articulation
Viewfinder detail0.5-inch Quad-VGA OLED, approximately 3.69 million dots, 100% coverage, 0.8× magnification and 21 mm eyepoint0.39-inch 4:3 OLED, approximately 2.36 million dots, 100% coverage and 0.74× magnification with 50 mm lens at infinity, −1 dioptre and 3:2 image ratio
Connections and design
Wi-FiYesYes
BluetoothYesYes
Battery life (maker's claim)470 photographs470 photographs
Body weight590 g630 g
Release detailMaker launch release states August 2020 availability; a later US maker notice schedules 27 August. Exact earliest worldwide or UK retail day remains unconfirmed, so month precision is retained.Maker Japan confirms 25 September 2020 first sale in that market; month precision retained for broader regional availability. Original S5 remains separately listed from S5D and S5II; no inferred successor. Cameralabs tested a preview-labelled boxed sample running firmware 1.0, which the reviewer identifies as representative of final production; later firmware additions are separately qualified
Recording mediaTwo UHS-II SD/SDHC/SDXC slots; overflow, backup, RAW/JPEG separation and card copyingTwo SD/SDHC/SDXC slots; slot 1 UHS-I/UHS-II including V90, slot 2 UHS-I; relay, backup and file allocation
PortsUSB-C SuperSpeed USB, HDMI Type C mini connector, 3.5 mm microphone/headphone sockets and accessory terminal for compatible remote cords; maker connector specifications take precedence over the review's full-size HDMI wordingUSB-C SuperSpeed USB 3.1 Gen 1, micro-HDMI Type D, 2.5 mm remote, 3.5 mm microphone/line input and headphone output
Wireless connectionsUK technical page lists Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHz; Japan lists a/b/g/n/ac at 2.4/5 GHz. Bluetooth 4.2 and SnapBridge; regional wireless specifications differ.Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n and 5 GHz 802.11ac; Bluetooth Low Energy 4.2
Battery life detailEN-EL15c; CIPA approximately 470 shots using monitor or 390 using EVF. Movie battery claim approximately 120 minutes with monitor or 115 with EVF. Earlier EN-EL15 variants give fewer shots; optional MB-N10 holds two batteries.DMW-BLK22, 7.2 V 2200 mAh; maker CIPA approximately 440 LCD/470 EVF shots with S-R2060. Conditional power-save EVF 1500 shots with one-second sleep is not the headline figure
ChargingUSB-C charging/power with compatible equipment; in-camera charging supports EN-EL15c/15b; MH-25a external charger, optional EH-7P or compatible AC adapter with EP-5B connectorUSB power supply and charging; dedicated battery charger, AC adapter and USB cable listed with original regional package
DimensionsApproximately 134 × 100.5 × 69.5 mmApproximately 132.6 × 97.1 × 81.9 mm, excluding protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 590 g body only or 675 g with battery/card, excluding body capMaker NA and Japan approximately 630 g body only or 714 g with battery and one card; Photography Blog's prose 712 g loaded is not substituted
MaterialsMaker dust/drip-resistant magnesium-alloy exterior; TechRadar identifies a plastic rear panel. Maker operating range 0–40°C; resistance does not guarantee waterproofing.Dust/splash-resistant construction, not waterproof; maker operating range 0–40 °C
In the boxBF-N1 body cap, DK-29 eyecup, EN-EL15c battery, MH-25a charger, AN-DC19 strap, UC-E24 USB cable and BS-1 shoe cover; charger plug varies by region, current Japan also lists AN-DC26 as a strap alternativeBody cap, hot-shoe cover, battery-grip connector cover, shoulder strap, battery, battery charger, AC adapter and USB A–C cable; lens/caps/hood additionally in kit, regional contents vary

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