• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon D5100 advantages over Panasonic GX7

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.79 vs 3.77 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 0.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,183 vs 718 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.6 vs 12.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 660 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    13 vs 9 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Panasonic GX7 advantages over Nikon D5100

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Thinner
    54 mm vs 79 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/320 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    532g vs 829g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.19 vs 0.27 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.52x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.7 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 100 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX7

Review Excerpt

  • Side-mounted tilt / swivel LCD screen; same sensor and processing as the Nikon D7000; good speed and battery life; in-camera HDR and filter effects; Full HD video capture with aperture control; audio levels control and external microphone jack.

  • AF-S lens mount doesn't offer autofocus with screw-drive lenses; popup flash isn't the greatest; no built-in wireless flash control; HDR function doesn't microalign source images.

  • 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

The Competition

Compared to Sony A55

Nikon D5100
Sony A55
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
Panasonic GX7
Sony A55
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony A33

Nikon D5100
Sony A33
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
Panasonic GX7
Sony A33
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony A57

Nikon D5100
Sony A57
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic GX7
Sony A57
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compared to Olympus E-M10

Nikon D5100
Olympus E-M10
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic GX7
Olympus E-M10
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Olympus E-M5 II

Nikon D5100
Olympus E-M5 II
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic GX7
Olympus E-M5 II
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
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