• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 17.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 75.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon J5 advantages over Panasonic LX100 II

  • Less expensive
    $497 vs $798*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~2.00 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    31 mm vs 64 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    20.8 vs 17.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    59.4 fps vs 11.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    59.4 fps vs 11.2 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic LX100 II advantages over Nikon J5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.36 vs 2.37 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    6 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    109 vs 20 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    34 vs 20 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon J5

Review Excerpt

  • Photographer-friendly controls; Impressive dynamic range for its class; Very fast hybrid autofocus; Fast high-speed shooting capabilities; Tilting touchscreen display.

  • No hot shoe or viewfinder; Aggressive noise reduction, even at base ISO; 4K video is limited to 15fps.

  • Compact coat-pocket friendly body with plenty of dedicated controls; Great electronic viewfinder; Impressive image quality for its class; Generous performance; Decent battery life.

  • Too big for a pants pocket; No articulation for LCD; Relatively short zoom range compared to some rivals; Can't use full sensor area at any aspect ratio; Not the best choice for video.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon J3

Nikon J5
Nikon J3
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Panasonic LX100 II
Nikon J3
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Internal flash

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Nikon J5
Samsung NX Mini
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner
Panasonic LX100 II
Samsung NX Mini
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon J4

Nikon J5
Nikon J4
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
Panasonic LX100 II
Nikon J4
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Internal flash

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Nikon J5
Panasonic LX100
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic LX100 II
Panasonic LX100
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Nikon J5
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic LX100 II
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
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