• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 18.4 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic G5 advantages over Nikon V3

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $1197*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 2.52 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~1.30 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Nikon V3 advantages over Panasonic G5

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner
  • 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
  • Lighter weight
    404g vs 575g
    Lighter weight
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 6.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    40 vs 18 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

Review Excerpt

  • 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.

  • Very compact for an interchangeable-lens camera; Generous kit includes lens, high-res electronic viewfinder and accessory grip; Good image quality for the sensor size; Amazing burst performance; Lightning-fast autofocus; Intuitive touch-screen makes focusing a snap

  • Smaller sensor than most rivals limits possibilities for available-light shooting; Program mode opts for wide-open aperture most of the time; Limited dynamic range; Noisy shadows; Below-average battery life; Pricey when considering its image quality

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic G2

Panasonic G5
Panasonic G2
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • More dots on screen
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
Nikon V3
Panasonic G2
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon J3

Panasonic G5
Nikon J3
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Thinner
Nikon V3
Nikon J3
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Panasonic G6

Panasonic G5
Panasonic G6
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon V3
Panasonic G6
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Thinner
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Nikon AW1

Panasonic G5
Nikon AW1
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
Nikon V3
Nikon AW1
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic G5
Panasonic G7
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon V3
Panasonic G7
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Thinner
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
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