• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon D5100 advantages over Panasonic G7

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.79 vs 3.77 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 1.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 660 vs 360 shots
    Capture more photos

Panasonic G7 advantages over Nikon D5100

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    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
  • Newer
    9 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    542g vs 829g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.27 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.52x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.1 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    240 vs 100 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    6.6 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Both provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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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Buy the Nikon D5100
Body Only

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Buy the Panasonic G7
Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Silver)
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Silver)
  • Kit with 14-140mm Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Black)
All G7 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Side-mounted tilt / swivel LCD screen; same sensor and processing as the Nikon D7000; good speed and battery life; in-camera HDR and filter effects; Full HD video capture with aperture control; audio levels control and external microphone jack.

  • AF-S lens mount doesn't offer autofocus with screw-drive lenses; popup flash isn't the greatest; no built-in wireless flash control; HDR function doesn't microalign source images.

  • Read our Nikon D5100 Full Review

  • Compact and lightweight for a fully-featured interchangeable-lens camera; Really fast autofocus; Good all-around performance too; Generous buffer depth; Versatile tilt/swivel LCD and high-res viewfinder; Touch-screen controls; Very affordable pricetag

  • Out of the box, colors are muted by consumer standards; Warm white balance under incandescent light; Handgrip is a little shallow for those with larger hands; Wi-Fi is overly complex and has limited range

  • Read our Panasonic G7 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A55

Nikon D5100
Sony A55
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sony A55

Panasonic G7
Sony A55
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Sony A55

Compared to Sony A33

Nikon D5100
Sony A33
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sony A33

Panasonic G7
Sony A33
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Sony A33

Compared to Sony A57

Nikon D5100
Sony A57
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sony A57

Panasonic G7
Sony A57
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Sony A57

Compared to Panasonic G6

Nikon D5100
Panasonic G6
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Panasonic G6

Panasonic G7
Panasonic G6
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Panasonic G6

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Nikon D5100
Panasonic GH4
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Panasonic GH4

Panasonic G7
Panasonic GH4
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • NFC

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Panasonic GH4

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