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Nikon Z 6II vs Panasonic LUMIX S5

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonZ 6IIPanasonicLUMIX S5
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2020September 2020
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeCMOSCMOS
Sensor dimensions35.9 × 23.9 mm35.6 × 23.8 mm
Effective resolution24.5 MP24.2 MP
Largest image6048 × 40246000 × 4000
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–51200100–51200
Sensor detail25.28 million total pixels; image-sensor cleaning and Image Dust Off reference data. Photography Blog and TechRadar identify the sensor as backside-illuminated.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, compressed or uncompressed options; medium/small RAW restricted to 12-bit lossless; 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 50–204800; auto ISO availableStandard ISO 100–51200, expanded 50–204800; Dual Native ISO technology
Image processorDual EXPEED 6 (Photography Blog and TechRadar)Venus Engine
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon Z mountL-Mount
StabilisationSensor shiftLens and sensor shift
Maximum continuous burst14 fps7 fps
Lens detailNIKKOR Z lenses; compatible F-mount NIKKOR lenses require an adapter and retain 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 −4.5 EV or −6 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/Time and manual extension to 900 seconds. 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 extended up to 14 fps; maker 14-bit NEF limit approximately 10 fps. Continuous H 5.5 fps and Continuous L 1–5 fps. TechRadar qualifies maximum 14 fps to 12-bit RAW and single-point AF; buffer/card/settings affect sustained speed.Native 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 up to 5 stops of body stabilisationFive-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 59.94 fps4096 × 2160 at 59.94 fps
Video detailFirmware 1.10 adds UHD 3840 × 2160 up to 59.94p using DX-based image area and Normal movie quality; full-width UHD up to 29.97p. Full HD up to 119.88p, with 4×/5× slow-motion options. MOV/MP4 H.264, recordings up to 29 minutes 59 seconds with mode/card restrictions; electronic VR, timecode and time-lapse. External N-Log/HLG output; RAW video output requires a paid Nikon service upgrade and compatible recorder, with no RAW output at 4K/60p. UK technical page retains its old anticipated-February2021 wording; current Japan table and maker firmware announcement confirm the added 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 dots2,100,0001,840,000
TouchscreenYesYes
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailTilting touchscreen, approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixelsThree-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)450 photographs470 photographs
Body weight615 g630 g
Release detailNikon Japan records first sale on 6 November 2020; exact first UK retail day is not independently establishedMaker 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 mediaOne CFexpress Type B/XQD slot and one UHS-II SD/SDHC/SDXC slot; 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 cordsUSB-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 connectionsWi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac at 2.4/5 GHz and Bluetooth 4.2; SnapBridgeWi-Fi 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n and 5 GHz 802.11ac; Bluetooth Low Energy 4.2
Battery life detailEN-EL15c; CIPA monitor approximately 450 shots with power saving or 410 without; EVF 400 with power saving or 340 without. Movie battery claim approximately 100 minutes. Earlier EN-EL15 variants give fewer shots; optional MB-N11/MB-N10 hold 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 615 g body only or 705 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
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy body and weather sealing described by both reviews; maker operating range 0–40°CDust/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, HDMI/USB clip, 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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