Nikon D5 vs Panasonic LX100 II

Cameras
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Nikon D5 vs Panasonic LX100 II

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.

4/3 224.9mm²
17.0 megapixels
24.00mm - 75.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic LX100 II Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic LX100 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the LX100 II.
Compare Panasonic LX100 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic LX100 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D6
Compare D5 vs D6
Compare Nikon D6 vs Panasonic LX100 II

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Differences

Nikon D5 advantages over Panasonic LX100 II

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.45 vs 3.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 2.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer video battery life
110 vs 35 minutes
Capture more video
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 300 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
Higher-res screen
590k vs 413k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More pixels
20.8 vs 17.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
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
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 109 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
183 vs 34 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 LX100 II advantages over Nikon D5

Less expensive
$798 vs $3990
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
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Thinner
64 mm vs 92 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
6 years vs 8 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
392g 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
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
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
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Read D5 User Reviews

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Body Only 100th Anniversary Edition (XQD)

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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

Compact coat-pocket friendly body with plenty of dedicated controls; Great electronic viewfinder; Impressive image quality for its class; Generous performance; Decent battery life.
Too big for a pants pocket; No articulation for LCD; Relatively short zoom range compared to some rivals; Can't use full sensor area at any aspect ratio; Not the best choice for video.
Read our Panasonic LX100 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D5

Canon EOS-1D C

$5243
35mm

Touchscreen
More cross-type AF points

$6989
35mm

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Panasonic LX100 II

Canon EOS-1D C

$898
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$6989
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic LX100 II vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Nikon D4S

Nikon D5

Nikon D4S

$5243
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$5999
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D4S

Panasonic LX100 II

Nikon D4S

$898
4/3

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$5999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic LX100 II vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Nikon D5

Panasonic LX100

$5243
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Nikon D5 vs Panasonic LX100

Panasonic LX100 II

Panasonic LX100

$898
4/3

Touchscreen
Built-in Bluetooth

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic LX100 II vs Panasonic LX100

Compared to Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Nikon D5

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

$5243
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$875
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Nikon D5 vs Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Panasonic LX100 II

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

$898
4/3

Touchscreen
Built-in Bluetooth

$875
4/3

Bigger pixels
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic LX100 II vs Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D5

Canon 1DX Mark II

$5243
35mm

Less expensive
Fast startup

$2999
35mm

Higher effective ISO
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

Panasonic LX100 II

Canon 1DX Mark II

$898
4/3

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$2999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic LX100 II vs Canon 1DX Mark II

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