• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

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Differences

Panasonic GX7 advantages over Nikon J5

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.77 vs 2.37 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    718 vs 479 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/320 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • 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
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 20 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon J5 advantages over Panasonic GX7

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    31 mm vs 54 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    345g vs 532g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    20.8 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    59.4 fps vs 10.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    59.4 fps vs 8.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    20 vs 9 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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 GX7

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon J5

Review Excerpt

  • Sharp retro design and solid build; High resolution, tiltable electronic viewfinder and LCD touchscreen monitor; Competitive still image quality; Very good video quality, recording Full HD at frame rates up to 60p; Fast autofocusing and all-around performance; Robust Wi-Fi and NFC capabilities, including remote shooting when paired with a smart device

  • Weak built-in flash; No external mic or headphone jack for video recording; Some poor results when shooting in Creative Panorama mode

  • Photographer-friendly controls; Impressive dynamic range for its class; Very fast hybrid autofocus; Fast high-speed shooting capabilities; Tilting touchscreen display.

  • No hot shoe or viewfinder; Aggressive noise reduction, even at base ISO; 4K video is limited to 15fps.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Panasonic GX7
Olympus E-M5
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More telephoto lens reach
Nikon J5
Olympus E-M5
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Olympus E-M10

Panasonic GX7
Olympus E-M10
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon J5
Olympus E-M10
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Panasonic GX7
Samsung NX Mini
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Nikon J5
Samsung NX Mini
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon J4

Panasonic GX7
Nikon J4
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
Nikon J5
Nikon J4
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic GX7
Olympus E-M5 II
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
Nikon J5
Olympus E-M5 II
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
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