• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon AW1 advantages over Panasonic GH5 II

  • Less expensive
    $797 vs $1798
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Slower slow-motion
    1200 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 87 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    313g vs 727g
    Lighter weight
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic GH5 II advantages over Nikon AW1

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.34 vs 2.86 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    5K vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 410 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1840k vs 921k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

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Buy the Nikon AW1

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GH5 II

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon J2

Nikon AW1
Nikon J2
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Wider angle kit lens
Panasonic GH5 II
Nikon J2
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Nikon V2

Nikon AW1
Nikon V2
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life
Panasonic GH5 II
Nikon V2
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Nikon J3

Nikon AW1
Nikon J3
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Wider angle kit lens
Panasonic GH5 II
Nikon J3
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Nikon V3

Nikon AW1
Nikon V3
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic GH5 II
Nikon V3
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compared to Nikon J5

Nikon AW1
Nikon J5
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Bigger pixels
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
Panasonic GH5 II
Nikon J5
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
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