• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic GF2 advantages over Nikon S5300

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 320 vs 180 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon S5300 advantages over Panasonic GF2

  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Thinner
    20 mm vs 32 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.6 fps vs 2.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GF3

Panasonic GF2
Panasonic GF3
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic GF3

Nikon S5300
Panasonic GF3
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon S5300 vs Panasonic GF3

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF2
Panasonic GF3X
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic GF3X

Nikon S5300
Panasonic GF3X
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon S5300 vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Panasonic GF2
Panasonic GF5
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic GF5

Nikon S5300
Panasonic GF5
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon S5300 vs Panasonic GF5

Compared to Nikon S3600

Panasonic GF2
Nikon S3600
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF2 vs Nikon S3600

Nikon S5300
Nikon S3600
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon S5300 vs Nikon S3600

Compared to Canon 340 HS

Panasonic GF2
Canon 340 HS
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF2 vs Canon 340 HS

Nikon S5300
Canon 340 HS
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus

Compare Nikon S5300 vs Canon 340 HS

Compare Other Cameras?