Nikon D5100 vs Panasonic GX8

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Nikon D5100 vs Panasonic GX8

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APS-C 368.2mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5100 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D5100.

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX8 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GX8 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GX8.
Compare Panasonic GX8 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GX8 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5200
Compare D5100 vs D5200

Succeeded by the Panasonic GX9
Compare GX8 vs GX9

Compare NIKON D5200 vs PANASONIC GX9

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Differences

Nikon D5100 advantages over Panasonic GX8

Less expensive
$650 vs $998
Save money for lenses or accessories
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.79 vs 3.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 1.2 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.
D5100 test data on DxO Mark GX8 test data on DxO Mark

1,183 vs 806 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

660 vs 340 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Nikon D5100

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 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
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Newer
9 years vs 14 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Less shutter lag
0.18 vs 0.27 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.77x vs 0.52x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
20.3 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
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
8.3 fps vs 3.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 100 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.9 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
36 vs 13 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (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
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

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

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5100 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX8 User Reviews

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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

Highest resolution Micro Four Thirds camera yet; Great high ISO performance; Very fast autofocus; Fast burst mode with deep buffers; Impressive Dual I.S. system; Great 4K video.
No built-in flash; Slow buffer clearing; Below average battery life; Limited I.S. for 4K video.
Read our Panasonic GX8 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 GX8

Sony A55

$998
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$734
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Sony A55

Compared to Sony A33

Nikon D5100

Sony A33

$650
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$540
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sony A33

Panasonic GX8

Sony A33

$998
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$540
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 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 GX8

Sony A57

$998
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Sony A57

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Nikon D5100

Olympus E-M1

$650
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$1099
4/3

Fast startup
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Nikon D5100

Olympus E-M1 II

$650
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$899
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1 II

$998
4/3

In-camera panoramas
NFC

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M1 II

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