• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Panasonic GM5 advantages over Nikon D780

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 76 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D780 advantages over Panasonic GM5

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 2260 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    120 mm vs 64 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • 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
    1/200 vs 1/50 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    5 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    786k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.5 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
  • Longer exposure
    900 vs 60 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 5.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 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
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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 GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Great image quality for a tiny camera; Excellent high ISO for its class; Built-in EVF; Built-in hot-shoe; Improved ergonomics; Improved image quality for long exposures; Improved burst rate with hybrid shutter; 1080/60p video.

  • Slightly bigger than GM1 (but not by much); No built-in flash; Shallow buffers with RAW files; Dynamic range not quite as good as some competing models; Below average battery life.

  • Read our Panasonic GM5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GM1

Panasonic GM5
Panasonic GM1
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic GM1

Nikon D780
Panasonic GM1
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compare Nikon D780 vs Panasonic GM1

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GM5
Panasonic GF7
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Hot shoe
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic GF7

Nikon D780
Panasonic GF7
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash

Compare Nikon D780 vs Panasonic GF7

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Panasonic GM5
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D780
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D780 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GM5
Panasonic GX850
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic GX850

Nikon D780
Panasonic GX850
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash

Compare Nikon D780 vs Panasonic GX850

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Panasonic GM5
Pentax K-1 II
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D780
Pentax K-1 II
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite

Compare Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 II

Compare Other Cameras?