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

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Differences

Panasonic GF6 advantages over Nikon J5

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.77 vs 2.37 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    622 vs 479 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 340 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/160 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon J5 advantages over Panasonic GF6

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • More dynamic range
    12.0 vs 10.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Lighter weight
    345g vs 454g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.07 vs 0.27 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • 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 4.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    59.4 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    20 vs 8 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 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
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon J5

Review Excerpt

  • 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 Panasonic GX1

Panasonic GF6
Panasonic GX1
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon J5
Panasonic GX1
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Olympus E-PL5

Panasonic GF6
Olympus E-PL5
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Better color depth
Nikon J5
Olympus E-PL5
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Panasonic GF6
Samsung NX Mini
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner
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 GF6
Nikon J4
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Thinner
Nikon J5
Nikon J4
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Olympus E-PL7

Panasonic GF6
Olympus E-PL7
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon J5
Olympus E-PL7
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
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