Nikon D7100 vs Panasonic GH5

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Nikon D7100 vs Panasonic GH5

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D7100 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D7100.

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 D7200
Compare D7100 vs D7200

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5 II
Compare GH5 vs GH5 II

Compare NIKON D7200 vs PANASONIC GH5 II

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Differences

Nikon D7100 advantages over Panasonic GH5

Less expensive
$849 vs $1298
Save money for lenses or accessories
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.92 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.
D7100 test data on DxO Mark GH5 test data on DxO Mark

1,256 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

950 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
24.1 vs 20.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos

Panasonic GH5 advantages over Nikon D7100

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 0.25 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.76x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
11.9 fps vs 5.8 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
600 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.9 fps vs 5.3 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
65 vs 5 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 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 D7100 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH5 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D7100

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-105mm Lens
Kit with 18-140mm Lens

All D7100 Deals

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Buy the Panasonic GH5

Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaking Kit
Kit with 12-60mm lens

All GH5 Deals

Review Excerpt

Solid, ergonomic body design; Stunning, highly detailed photos, thanks to 24.1MP sensor upgrade and removal of optical low-pass filter; Cool 1.3x crop mode extends reach to nearly 2x the full-frame equivalent; Records Full 1080p HD video at up to 30fps with full-time AF; Many pro-level features packed into a consumer-friendly body at reasonable price.
Shallow buffer that hampers continuous burst shooting; AF slightly slower than average for its class; No real-time aperture control while in Movie mode (among other quirks); More noticeable moire patterns and aliasing artifacts (but only found when shooting fabrics with strong, distinct patterns).
Read our Nikon D7100 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 70D

Nikon D7100

Canon 70D

$690
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D7100 vs Canon 70D

Panasonic GH5

Canon 70D

$1348
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Canon 70D

Compared to Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

$690
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D7100 vs Pentax K-3

Panasonic GH5

Pentax K-3

$1348
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-3

Compared to Nikon D5300

Nikon D7100

Nikon D5300

$690
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D7100 vs Nikon D5300

Panasonic GH5

Nikon D5300

$1348
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Panasonic G9

Nikon D7100

Panasonic G9

$690
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$948
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D7100 vs Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G9

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

$948
4/3

High resolution composite
Top deck display

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G9

Compared to Panasonic G95

Nikon D7100

Panasonic G95

$690
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$848
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D7100 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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