• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Nikon J2

  • 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.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 3.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Higher effective ISO
    618 vs 363 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/160 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More pixels
    12.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon J2 advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • Less expensive
    $550 vs $749 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    12 vs 5 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

  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

User reviews

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  • Kit with 14-42mm Power Lens
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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

Nikon J2
Olympus E-PL3
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon J2 vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

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

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PM1

Nikon J2
Olympus E-PM1
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Internal flash
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon J2 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

Nikon J2
Panasonic GF3X
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon J2 vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Nikon J1

Panasonic GF5
Nikon J1
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Nikon J1

Nikon J2
Nikon J1
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
  • $500
  • 1 inch

Compare Nikon J2 vs Nikon J1

Compared to Nikon J3

Panasonic GF5
Nikon J3
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Nikon J3

Nikon J2
Nikon J3
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More pixels

Compare Nikon J2 vs Nikon J3

Compare Other Cameras?