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Nikon Z 8 vs Panasonic LUMIX S5II

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonZ 8PanasonicLUMIX S5II
Overview
ReleasedMay 2023January 2023
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeStacked backside-illuminated CMOSCMOS
Sensor dimensions35.9 × 23.9 mm35.6 × 23.8 mm
Effective resolution45.7 MP24.2 MP
Largest image8256 × 55046000 × 4000
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range64–25600100–51200
Sensor detail52.37 million total pixels; sensor cleaning, dust-off reference data, protective sensor shield and electro-conductive/fluorine coatingsMaker Japan 24.2 million effective pixels, 35.6 × 23.8 mm CMOS; native 3:2 stills 6000×4000. High-resolution 12000×8000 composites are distinct from native output; no stacked or BSI construction inferred
Image formats14-bit NEF RAW with lossless or high-efficiency compression; JPEG, HEIF and RAW plus JPEG or HEIFJPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; high-resolution composite RAW generated in-camera
ISO detailExpandable to equivalent ISO 32–102400; HLG still photography starts at ISO 400; auto ISO supportedStandard ISO 100–51200; expanded 50/102400/204800. Dual Native ISO 100/640 for standard stills, 640/4000 for V-Log and 400/2500 for HLG; each profile has its own expanded ranges
Image processorEXPEED 7–
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon Z mountL-Mount
StabilisationSensor shiftLens and sensor shift
Maximum continuous burst20 fps30 fps
Lens detailNIKKOR Z lenses; NIKKOR F lenses require a mount adapter and retain model-dependent restrictions–
AutofocusHybrid phase/contrast detection, 493 single-point FX still positions, 3D tracking and subject detection including people, animals, birds and vehicles/aircraft. Maker sensitivity −7 EV or −9 EV with Starlight View, measured in AF-S at ISO 100, 20°C and f/1.2.Phase Hybrid AF combines phase and contrast detection; 779-area system (maker UK). Current Japan table recognises people, animals, cars, motorcycles, trains and aircraft; launch reviews described only people/animals, so later recognition is not treated as a launch feature. Continuous autofocus while zooming requires compatible lens firmware
ShutterElectronic shutter only, with selectable sound and sensor shield; 1/32000 to 30 seconds, Bulb/Time and manual-mode extension to 900 seconds. Flash sync 1/200 or 1/250 second with reduced guide number at the higher speeds; compatible Auto FP up to 1/8000.Mechanical 60–1/8000 second, Bulb approximately 30 minutes; electronic first curtain 60–1/2000 with the same Bulb maximum; electronic 60–1/8000 with Bulb approximately 60 seconds
Burst detailContinuous high-speed shooting up to 20 fps for full-resolution RAW. High-speed capture C15/C30 uses large FX or DX JPEGs, C60 requires large DX JPEGs and C120 requires small FX JPEGs (4128 × 2752). High-speed burst length varies by frame rate according to the current manual; these restricted JPEG modes are separate from the main continuous RAW figure. Pre-release capture available. Current manual restrictions take precedence over UK marketing prose and TechRadar's erroneous full-resolution 60 fps claim.Full-resolution electronic SH30 at 30 fps AFS/AFC/MF; SH buffer 200 RAW/RAW+JPEG/JPEG frames in the current maker table. Mechanical/electronic-first-curtain 9 fps AFS/MF or 7 fps AFC; normal electronic 9/8 fps respectively. Normal RAW/RAW+JPEG at least 200 and JPEG at least 300 frames under maker conditions. UK launch article's broad 300-frame statement is not substituted for the current SH limit
Stabilisation detailFive-axis sensor shift; lens VR supported, with Synchro VR up to 6 stops using NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S at the telephoto end under Nikon's CIPA conditions; electronic movie VR availableFive-axis sensor-shift B.I.S., rated five stops with S-R2060 at 60 mm; compatible-lens Dual I.S.2 rated 6.5 stops with S-E70200 at 200 mm, CIPA yaw/pitch conditions (Panasonic Australia). Active I.S. provides additional video correction, with mode restrictions
FlashNo built-in flash; ISO 518 hot shoe with compatible external i-TTL SpeedlightsNo built-in flash; external flash sync up to 1/250 second with reduced guide number and maker restrictions at the fastest sync setting
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M; ±5 EV still-image or ±3 EV movie compensation; matrix, centre-weighted, spot and highlight-weighted metering–
Video
Highest video resolution8256 × 4644 at 59.94 fps5952 × 3968 at 29.97 fps
Video detailN-RAW 12-bit 8256 × 4644 up to 59.94p; 5392 × 3032 up to 59.94p and 4128 × 2322 up to 119.88p. Conventional UHD 7680 × 4320 up to 29.97p; UHD 4K and Full HD up to 119.88p. ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ, H.265 8/10-bit and H.264 have format-dependent limits. Internal N-Log/HLG, waveform, timecode, RAW proxies and Hi-Res Zoom. Nikon's launch recording claims approximately 125 minutes UHD 4K/60p and 90 minutes UHD 8K/30p use specified media, temperature and external-power conditions.Internal 5952×3968 3:2 open-gate 6K at 29.97p, 4:2:0 10-bit HEVC 200 Mbps; 5952×3136 17:9 at 29.97p also supported. C4K/4K up to 59.94p uses APS-C crop; lower frame rates have full-frame modes. Full HD high-speed modes have separate sensor-output/crop limits. Built-in cooling fan; maker UK specifies 0–40 °C for its unlimited-recording claim, while 6K/5.9K stops once after 30 minutes with Thermal Management STANDARD. No S5IIX internal ProRes, SSD or streaming features copied
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphones; PCM 48 kHz/24-bit for NEV/MOV or AAC 48 kHz/16-bit for MP4; external microphone with attenuator and headphone monitoringBuilt-in stereo microphone; maker UK 48 kHz/24-bit audio and compatible external/XLR high-resolution 96 kHz/24-bit options; microphone and headphone sockets
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicElectronic
Screen size3.2″3″
Screen dots2,100,0001,840,000
TouchscreenYesYes
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailFour-axis horizontal/vertical tilt, approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixelsThree-inch 3:2 capacitive touchscreen, approximately 1.84 million dots in the maker Japan table; free-angle articulation. The German kit page's 1.24-million-dot icon caption conflicts with the exact Japan table and is not adopted
Viewfinder detail0.5-inch Quad-VGA OLED, approximately 3.69 million dots, 100% coverage, 0.8× magnification and 23 mm eyepoint; blackout-free display0.5-inch 4:3 OLED, approximately 3.68 million dots, 100% coverage; approximately 0.78× 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)370 photographs370 photographs
Body weight820 g657 g
Release detailAnnounced on 10 May 2023; Nikon US explicitly states availability on 25 May, corroborated by TechRadar's launch coverage. Exact first UK retail day is not independently established.Maker US confirms January 2023 availability; UK announcement uses Winter 2023, so January is supported regionally rather than an inferred exact UK retail day. Maker UK body launch price £1999; the official LUMIX Magazine identifies it as the S5 successor
Recording mediaOne CFexpress Type B/XQD slot and one UHS-II SD/SDHC/SDXC slot; overflow, backup and separate format recordingTwo SD/SDHC/SDXC slots; both UHS-II including V90, with relay/backup/allocation modes
PortsUSB-C SuperSpeed data port and separate USB-C Power Delivery port; full-size HDMI Type A; 3.5 mm microphone/headphone sockets; ten-pin remote terminal. Ethernet requires a compatible USB-LAN adapter; no built-in Ethernet socket or GPS receiver.USB-C SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps, full-size HDMI Type A, 2.5 mm remote and 3.5 mm microphone/headphone sockets
Wireless connectionsWi-Fi IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.0; SnapBridgeWi-Fi 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n and 5 GHz 802.11a/n/ac; Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0. Maker warns 5 GHz is unavailable in some countries
Battery life detailEN-EL15c; CIPA monitor approximately 370 shots with power saving or 340 without; EVF 340 with power saving or 330 without. Nikon's separate continuous-shooting test gives approximately 2280 shots; movie battery claim approximately 85 minutes. EN-EL15b/15a provide fewer shots; optional MB-N12 takes two batteries.DMW-BLK22, 7.2 V 2200 mAh; current Japan table approximately 370 LCD/EVF shots with S-R2060 and Panasonic SDXC, or 1250 under the maker's one-second power-save EVF test. Older reviews' 1500 power-save figure is not substituted for the current table
ChargingUSB charging and power delivery with suitable optional cable/adapter; in-camera charging supports EN-EL15c/15b. MH-25a external charger appears in the technical accessory list; current UK included-accessory tiles do not list it, so verify regional package contents.In-camera charging approximately 220 minutes with bundled Japan AC adapter or 170 minutes with DMW-BTC15 adapter; optional DMW-BTC15 charger approximately 175 minutes
DimensionsApproximately 144 × 118.5 × 83 mmApproximately 134.3 × 102.3 × 90.1 mm, excluding protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 820 g body only or 910 g with battery/card, excluding body cap and shoe coverMaker German exact-body kit page confirms 657 g body only; maker Japan 740 g with battery and one SD card. Photography Blog's 740 g body-only wording is not adopted
MaterialsMagnesium alloy and carbon-fibre composite; dust/moisture-resistant construction, maker operating range −10°C to 40°CMagnesium-alloy die-cast front and rear frames; dust/splash-resistant construction, not waterproof
In the boxCurrent UK accessory tiles list EN-EL15c, UC-E24 USB cable, AN-DC26 strap, DK-33 eyecup and BF-N1 body cap; technical list additionally names BS-1 shoe cover, HDMI/USB cable clip and region-dependent MH-25a chargerMaker Japan lists body cap, hot-shoe cover, battery-grip connector cover, shoulder strap, battery, USB AC adapter and USB A–C cable; regional contents may vary

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