Nikon D600 vs Panasonic GH5

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Nikon D600 vs Panasonic GH5

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35mm 861.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D600 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D600.

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH5 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GH5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GH5.
Compare Panasonic GH5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GH5 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D610
Compare D600 vs D610

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5 II
Compare GH5 vs GH5 II

Compare NIKON D610 vs PANASONIC GH5 II

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Differences

Nikon D600 advantages over Panasonic GH5

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.97 vs 3.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 1.0 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.
D600 test data on DxO Mark GH5 test data on DxO Mark

2,980 vs 807 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

900 vs 410 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More pixels
24.3 vs 20.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic GH5 advantages over Nikon D600

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) 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
Newer
8 years vs 12 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
405k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.26 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.76x vs 0.70x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
11.9 fps vs 5.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
600 vs 28 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.9 fps vs 5.4 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
65 vs 14 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D600 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH5 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D600

Body Only

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Buy the Panasonic GH5

Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaking Kit
Kit with 12-60mm lens

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Review Excerpt

Great controls for amateur or pro; Good grip and heft; Impressive low-light performance; Very good dynamic range; Excellent battery life; Built-in lens correction.
Dust and oil spatter problem; Moire problem with certain subjects; Slower X-sync speed; Slow AF in Live view mode; Aliasing in videos.
Read our Nikon D600 Review

20MP sensor; Better per-pixel sharpness; Very good, slightly improved dynamic range and high ISOs; Stellar 4K video up to 60p with no crop; 6K Photo; Dual UHS-II SD slots; Good battery life for its class.
Buffer is deep, but slow to clear; Expensive; Menus still confusing; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.
Read our Panasonic GH5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 6D

Nikon D600

Canon 6D

$1900
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$1499
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D600 vs Canon 6D

Panasonic GH5

Canon 6D

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1499
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Canon 6D

Compared to Nikon D610

Nikon D600

Nikon D610

$1900
35mm

$1196
35mm

Faster RAW shooting

Compare Nikon D600 vs Nikon D610

Panasonic GH5

Nikon D610

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1196
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Nikon D610

Compared to Nikon D750

Nikon D600

Nikon D750

$1900
35mm

Fast startup

$1700
35mm

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D600 vs Nikon D750

Panasonic GH5

Nikon D750

$1348
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1700
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Nikon D750

Compared to Panasonic G9

Nikon D600

Panasonic G9

$1900
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$965
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D600 vs Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G9

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

$965
4/3

High resolution composite
Top deck display

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G9

Compared to Panasonic G95

Nikon D600

Panasonic G95

$1900
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$848
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D600 vs Panasonic G95

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G95

$1348
4/3

Slower slow-motion
Longer stills battery life

$848
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G95

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