• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400

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Differences

Panasonic GF7 advantages over Nikon D5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 92 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D5 advantages over Panasonic GF7

  • Larger sensor
    35mm 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
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.45 vs 3.77 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 3780 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/50 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Higher-res screen
    590k vs 346k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.24 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.8 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    3276800 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GF7

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5

Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality for its size; Fast AF for its class; 10fps burst mode with electronic shutter; Lightweight, yet well-built, compact design; Great value for the money.

  • Continuous AF is not reliable; Shallow buffer with RAW; Below average battery life; No EVF; Maximum mechanical shutter speed of only 1/500s.

  • Excellent image quality; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 153-point autofocus system; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K video recording; Pro-quality camera body; Outstanding battery life.

  • Large and heavy body might not be right for all; Loud shutter; Underutilized touchscreen; Low ISO dynamic range not as good as predecessor; Extended high ISOs not very useful; Sluggish Live View AF.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL6

Panasonic GF7
Olympus E-PL6
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon D5
Olympus E-PL6
  • $4891
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Nikon D4S

Panasonic GF7
Nikon D4S
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D5
Nikon D4S
  • $4891
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GF7
Panasonic GM5
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Hot shoe
Nikon D5
Panasonic GM5
  • $4891
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Panasonic GF7
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D5
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $4891
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GF7
Panasonic GX850
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
Nikon D5
Panasonic GX850
  • $4891
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
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