• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Nikon Z50

  • Less expensive
    $450 vs $897
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 60 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    364g vs 533g
    Lighter weight
  • 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 Z50 advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    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
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    5 years vs 13 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
  • More pixels
    20.9 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GF5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z50

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.

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
Nikon Z50
Olympus E-PL3
  • $807
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

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
Nikon Z50
Olympus E-PM1
  • $807
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3
Nikon Z50
Panasonic GF3X
  • $807
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Canon EOS M50

Panasonic GF5
Canon EOS M50
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Nikon Z50
Canon EOS M50
  • $807
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Fujifilm X-S10

Panasonic GF5
Fujifilm X-S10
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Nikon Z50
Fujifilm X-S10
  • $807
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Wider angle kit lens
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion
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