• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Fujifilm S9800

  • 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)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 116 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 153k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1700 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Fujifilm S9800 advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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

User reviews

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Fuji S9800 (Black)
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Review Excerpt

  • Small body pairs nicely with compact, retractable Power Zoom lens. Extremely fast autofocus. Worthwhile improvements in image quality. Touchscreen overlays can now be hidden.

  • LCD panel is prone to fingerprint smudges. Weak flash, and no hot shoe. Modest burst performance, and very limited buffer for raw shooting. Noise levels and dynamic range still lag competition.

  • Read our Panasonic GF5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PL3

Fujifilm S9800
Olympus E-PL3
  • $504
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Fujifilm S9800 vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PM1
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Hot shoe

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PM1

Fujifilm S9800
Olympus E-PM1
  • $504
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Fujifilm S9800 vs Olympus E-PM1

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic GF3X

Fujifilm S9800
Panasonic GF3X
  • $504
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Fujifilm S9800 vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Fujifilm SL1000

Panasonic GF5
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Fujifilm SL1000

Fujifilm S9800
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $504
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • RAW file ability

Compare Fujifilm S9800 vs Fujifilm SL1000

Compared to Fujifilm S9900W

Panasonic GF5
Fujifilm S9900W
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $719
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Fujifilm S9900W

Fujifilm S9800
Fujifilm S9900W
  • $504
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $719
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Fujifilm S9800 vs Fujifilm S9900W

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