Nikon D5 vs Panasonic LX10

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D5 vs Panasonic LX10

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 inch 116.2mm²
20.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 72.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic LX10 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic LX10 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the LX10.
Compare Panasonic LX10 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic LX10 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D6
Compare D5 vs D6
Compare Nikon D6 vs Panasonic LX10

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Differences

Nikon D5 advantages over Panasonic LX10

Larger sensor
35mm 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
Bigger pixels
~ 6.45 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 3.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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 260 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
More dots on screen
2359k vs 1040k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
12.1 fps vs 9.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 80 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
12.1 fps vs 9.3 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
183 vs 14 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
3276800 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic LX10 advantages over Nikon D5

Less expensive
$498 vs $3789
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
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
Thinner
42 mm vs 92 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Lighter weight
310g vs 1415g
Lighter weight
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
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
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
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 LX10 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 LX10

Panasonic LX10 (Black)

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

Very good image quality for its class; Compact, sleek camera body; Excellent touchscreen and user interface; Fast built-in lens; 4K UHD recording and 4K Photo.
Continuous autofocus performance is spotty; Shallow RAW buffer depth; No built-in electronic viewfinder; No hot shoe; Slow start-up time.
Read our Panasonic LX10 Review

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 LX10

Canon EOS-1D C

$548
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$6989
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic LX10 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Samsung EX2F

Nikon D5

Samsung EX2F

$5143
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$479
1/1.7 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D5 vs Samsung EX2F

Panasonic LX10

Samsung EX2F

$548
1 inch

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$479
1/1.7 inch

Slower slow-motion
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic LX10 vs Samsung EX2F

Compared to Panasonic LX7

Nikon D5

Panasonic LX7

$5143
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$297
1/1.7 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Internal flash

Compare Nikon D5 vs Panasonic LX7

Panasonic LX10

Panasonic LX7

$548
1 inch

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$297
1/1.7 inch

More telephoto lens reach
Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic LX10 vs Panasonic LX7

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 LX10

Nikon D4S

$548
1 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$5999
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic LX10 vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D5

Canon 1DX Mark II

$5143
35mm

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$2999
35mm

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

Panasonic LX10

Canon 1DX Mark II

$548
1 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2999
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic LX10 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

Compare Other Cameras?