Nikon D800E vs Panasonic GH5

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Nikon D800E vs Panasonic GH5

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35mm 861.6mm²
36.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D800E Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D800E.

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 D810
Compare D800E vs D810

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5 II
Compare GH5 vs GH5 II

Compare NIKON D810 vs PANASONIC GH5 II

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Differences

Nikon D800E advantages over Panasonic GH5

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.88 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.
D800E test data on DxO Mark GH5 test data on DxO Mark

2,979 vs 807 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D800E test data on DxO Mark GH5 test data on DxO Mark

14.3 vs 13.0 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
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
36.3 vs 20.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos

Panasonic GH5 advantages over Nikon D800E

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 13 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
725g vs 1008g
Lighter weight
Higher-res screen
405k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.21 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
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
11.9 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
600 vs 54 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.9 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
65 vs 18 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 D800E User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH5 User Reviews

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Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaking Kit
Kit with 12-60mm lens

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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.
Read our Nikon D800E 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 Nikon D800

Nikon D800E

Nikon D800

$2212
35mm

Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$1850
35mm

Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D800E vs Nikon D800

Panasonic GH5

Nikon D800

$1348
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$1850
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Nikon D800

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

Compare Nikon D800E vs Canon 5D Mark III

Panasonic GH5

Canon 5D Mark III

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2079
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D810

Nikon D800E

Nikon D810

$2212
35mm

Fast startup

$2291
35mm

Longer stills battery life
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Nikon D800E vs Nikon D810

Panasonic GH5

Nikon D810

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2291
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Nikon D810

Compared to Panasonic G9

Nikon D800E

Panasonic G9

$2212
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1065
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D800E vs Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G9

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

$1065
4/3

High resolution composite
Top deck display

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G9

Compared to Panasonic G95

Nikon D800E

Panasonic G95

$2212
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$848
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D800E 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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