• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Nikon D500 advantages over Panasonic S5 II

  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher extended ISO
    1638400 vs 204800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic S5 II advantages over Nikon D500

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.93 vs 4.22 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Newer
    16 months vs 8 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.9 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 10.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Panasonic S5 II

Review Excerpt

  • Superb image quality; Great high ISO performance; Rugged, comfortable camera body; Sharp articulating touchscreen display; Excellent AF point frame coverage; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K UHD video; Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth.

  • Somewhat large for an APS-C camera; Expensive for a DX camera; 4K UHD video doesn't offer full DX field-of-view; No built-in flash; Still uses contrast-detect for Live View AF; Dual slots use two different card types (XQD and SD).

  • Read our Nikon D500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Nikon D500
Pentax K-3 II
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II

Panasonic S5 II
Pentax K-3 II
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Built-in GPS
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic S5 II vs Pentax K-3 II

Compared to Sony A68

Nikon D500
Sony A68
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Sony A68

Panasonic S5 II
Sony A68
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash

Compare Panasonic S5 II vs Sony A68

Compared to Pentax KP

Nikon D500
Pentax KP
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Pentax KP

Panasonic S5 II
Pentax KP
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic S5 II vs Pentax KP

Compared to Nikon Z5

Nikon D500
Nikon Z5
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • NFC
  • Top deck display
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z5

Panasonic S5 II
Nikon Z5
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic S5 II vs Nikon Z5

Compared to Panasonic S5 IIX

Nikon D500
Panasonic S5 IIX
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • NFC
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $2200
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D500 vs Panasonic S5 IIX

Panasonic S5 II
Panasonic S5 IIX
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • $2200
  • 35mm

Compare Panasonic S5 II vs Panasonic S5 IIX

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