Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic ZS100

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Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic ZS100

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4/3 224.9mm²
12.1 megapixels
ISO 160 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GF5 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the GF5.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.1 megapixels
25.00mm - 250.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic ZS100 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic ZS100 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the ZS100.
Compare Panasonic ZS100 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic ZS100 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GF6
Compare GF5 vs GF6

Succeeded by the Panasonic ZS200
Compare ZS100 vs ZS200

Compare PANASONIC GF6 vs PANASONIC ZS200

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Panasonic ZS100

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.33 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~1.40 vs 2.3 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
GF5 test data on DxO Mark ZS100 test data on DxO Mark

618 vs 559 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise

Panasonic ZS100 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
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
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
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
9 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
More pixels
20.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
9.9 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited 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
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
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
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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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
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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Adorama
Read GF5 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read ZS100 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

Compact camera body; versatile 10x zoom lens; relatively good high ISO performance; fast autofocus; many good 4K video and photo features.
Soft lens at longer focal lengths; no tilting display; small electronic viewfinder; slippery finish on the camera body.
Read our Panasonic ZS100 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

Panasonic ZS100

Olympus E-PL3

$498
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS100 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

Panasonic ZS100

Olympus E-PM1

$498
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$500
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS100 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

Panasonic ZS100

Panasonic GF3X

$498
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$750
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Sony RX100 VI

Panasonic GF5

Sony RX100 VI

$450
4/3

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$949
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Sony RX100 VI

Panasonic ZS100

Sony RX100 VI

$498
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$949
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 VI

Compared to Sony RX100 VII

Panasonic GF5

Sony RX100 VII

$450
4/3

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$1298
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Sony RX100 VII

Panasonic ZS100

Sony RX100 VII

$498
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$1298
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 VII

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