• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D800E advantages over Panasonic G5

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.88 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 1.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 900 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    36.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    54 vs 18 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic G5 advantages over Nikon D800E

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.2 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic G5

Review Excerpt

  • Rugged build; Excellent controls; Extremely high resolution, even more than the D800; Dual cards; Surprising high ISO performance.

  • Moire problem with certain subjects; Very large files; Slower frame rate; Battery life lower than D700.

  • Small, compact body with excellent focusing and exposure capabilities; Newly enhanced touchpanel LCD screen makes image capture and review a joy; Excellent HD video recording quality.

  • Some controls difficult to access; Too easy to activate menus and options while shooting; Lack of a microphone-in jack limits video recording usefulness.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D800

Nikon D800E
Nikon D800
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Panasonic G5
Nikon D800
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D800E
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • More cross-type AF points
Panasonic G5
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic G6

Nikon D800E
Panasonic G6
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Panasonic G5
Panasonic G6
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Nikon D810

Nikon D800E
Nikon D810
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Panasonic G5
Nikon D810
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic G7

Nikon D800E
Panasonic G7
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic G5
Panasonic G7
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Compare Other Cameras?