• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 45.7 megapixels
  • ISO 64 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic GH5 advantages over Nikon Z7

  • Less expensive
    $1298 vs $3097
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Slower slow-motion
    180 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.9 fps vs 9.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    600 vs 26 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.9 fps vs 9.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    65 vs 23 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon Z7 advantages over Panasonic GH5

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.35 vs 3.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Better color depth
    26.3 vs 23.9 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,668 vs 807 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.6 vs 13.0 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer video battery life
    85 vs 55 minutes
    Capture more video
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More pixels
    45.7 vs 20.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z7

Review Excerpt

  • 20MP sensor; Better per-pixel sharpness; Very good, slightly improved dynamic range and high ISOs; Stellar 4K video up to 60p with no crop; 6K Photo; Dual UHS-II SD slots; Good battery life for its class.

  • Buffer is deep, but slow to clear; Expensive; Menus still confusing; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.

  • Familiar design in a compact form; Rugged build quality; Gorgeous EVF; Excellent image quality; Good autofocus; In-body image stabilization; Good 4K video recording.

  • Single card slot; Not as good at subject tracking as some Nikon DSLR cameras; Limited native lens selection (although adapter works well); Limited buffer depths.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic GH5
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite
Nikon Z7
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5
Panasonic G9
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $965
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Top deck display
Nikon Z7
Panasonic G9
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $965
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Nikon Z6

Panasonic GH5
Nikon Z6
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1396
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon Z7
Nikon Z6
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • More pixels
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1396
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon EOS R

Panasonic GH5
Canon EOS R
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon Z7
Canon EOS R
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Panasonic G95

Panasonic GH5
Panasonic G95
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Nikon Z7
Panasonic G95
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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