Nikon D5000 vs Panasonic G85

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Nikon D5000 vs Panasonic G85

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APS-C 372.9mm²
12.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5000 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D5000.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.0 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic G85 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic G85 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G85.
Compare Panasonic G85 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic G85 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5100
Compare D5000 vs D5100

Succeeded by the Panasonic G95
Compare G85 vs G95

Compare NIKON D5100 vs PANASONIC G95

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Differences

Nikon D5000 advantages over Panasonic G85

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.50 vs 3.77 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D5000 test data on DxO Mark G85 test data on DxO Mark

868 vs 656 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

510 vs 330 shots
Capture more photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic G85 advantages over Nikon D5000

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 720p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
More telephoto lens reach
120 mm vs 84 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
8 years vs 16 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More dots on screen
1040k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Less shutter lag
0.20 vs 0.28 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.74x vs 0.52x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
16.0 vs 12.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 28 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
9.4 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 100 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.6 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
50 vs 10 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Adorama
Read D5000 User Reviews

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Adorama
Read G85 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D5000 Full Review

Very good image quality; Very good high ISO performance and dynamic range; Fast and accurate autofocus; Excellent 4K video recording quality and features.
OLPF-less sensor is prone to moiré; Electronic viewfinder struggles in low light; Continuous autofocus is limited to 6fps shooting; Below average battery life.
Read our Panasonic G85 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A350

Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A350

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$900
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Sony DSLR-A350

Panasonic G85

Sony DSLR-A350

$631
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$900
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Sony DSLR-A350

Compared to Sony DSLR-A300

Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A300

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$563
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Panasonic G85

Sony DSLR-A300

$631
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$563
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Compared to Sony DSLR-A390

Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A390

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$507
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Sony DSLR-A390

Panasonic G85

Sony DSLR-A390

$631
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$507
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Sony DSLR-A390

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Nikon D5000

Olympus E-M1 II

$850
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic G85

Olympus E-M1 II

$631
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Compared to Panasonic G95

Nikon D5000

Panasonic G95

$850
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$848
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Panasonic G95

Panasonic G85

Panasonic G95

$631
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger RAW buffer

$848
4/3

Built-in Bluetooth
Newer

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Panasonic G95

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