Nikon D5 vs Panasonic FZ80

Cameras
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Nikon D5 vs Panasonic FZ80

35mm 858.0mm²
20.8 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5.
Compare Nikon D5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5 conclusion.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
18.1 megapixels
20.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic FZ80 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the FZ80.

Succeeded by the Nikon D6
Compare D5 vs D6
Compare Nikon D6 vs Panasonic FZ80

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Differences

Nikon D5 advantages over Panasonic FZ80

Larger sensor
35mm vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.45 vs 1.26 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

3780 vs 330 shots
Capture more photos
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
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
2359k vs 1040k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More viewfinder magnification
0.72x vs 0.46x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
12.1 fps vs 10.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
3276800 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic FZ80 advantages over Nikon D5

Less expensive
$298 vs $3790
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
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
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Lighter weight
616g vs 1415g
Lighter weight
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
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

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read FZ80 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D5

Body Only (CF Version)

Body Only (CF Version)
Body Only (XQD Version)
Body Only 100th Anniversary Edition (XQD)

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Buy the Panasonic FZ80

Panasonic FZ80

Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 153-point autofocus system; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K video recording; Pro-quality camera body; Outstanding battery life.
Large and heavy body might not be right for all; Loud shutter; Underutilized touchscreen; Low ISO dynamic range not as good as predecessor; Extended high ISOs not very useful; Sluggish Live View AF.
Read our Nikon D5 Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Panasonic FZ80, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Panasonic FZ80 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D5

Canon EOS-1D C

$5143
35mm

Touchscreen
More cross-type AF points

$6989
35mm

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Panasonic FZ80

Canon EOS-1D C

$348
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$6989
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ80 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Fujifilm S1

Nikon D5

Fujifilm S1

$5143
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$349
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D5 vs Fujifilm S1

Panasonic FZ80

Fujifilm S1

$348
1/2.3 inch

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$349
1/2.3 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Slower slow-motion

Compare Panasonic FZ80 vs Fujifilm S1

Compared to Sony HX400V

Nikon D5

Sony HX400V

$5143
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$448
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5 vs Sony HX400V

Panasonic FZ80

Sony HX400V

$348
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$448
1/2.3 inch

Tiltable Screen
NFC

Compare Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony HX400V

Compared to Nikon D4S

Nikon D5

Nikon D4S

$5143
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$5999
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D4S

Panasonic FZ80

Nikon D4S

$348
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$5999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ80 vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D5

Canon 1DX Mark II

$5143
35mm

Less expensive
Fast startup

$2999
35mm

Higher effective ISO
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

Panasonic FZ80

Canon 1DX Mark II

$348
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ80 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

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