Nikon D810 vs Panasonic GH5

Cameras
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Nikon D810 vs Panasonic GH5

35mm 861.6mm²
36.3 megapixels
ISO 64 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon D810 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D810 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D810.
Compare Nikon D810 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D810 conclusion.

4/3 224.9mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH5 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GH5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GH5.
Compare Panasonic GH5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GH5 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D850
Compare D810 vs D850

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5 II
Compare GH5 vs GH5 II

Compare NIKON D850 vs PANASONIC GH5 II

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Differences

Nikon D810 advantages over Panasonic GH5

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.88 vs 3.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 1.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D810 test data on DxO Mark GH5 test data on DxO Mark

2,853 vs 807 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D810 test data on DxO Mark GH5 test data on DxO Mark

14.8 vs 13.0 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
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

1200 vs 410 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More pixels
36.3 vs 20.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GH5 advantages over Nikon D810

Less expensive
$1298 vs $2475
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Lighter weight
725g vs 988g
Lighter weight
Higher-res screen
405k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.76x vs 0.70x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
11.9 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
600 vs 57 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.9 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
65 vs 23 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
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

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D810 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH5 User Reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D810

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-120mm lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GH5

Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaking Kit
Kit with 12-60mm lens

Review Excerpt

Handles even better than its predecessors; Absolutely spectacular images from the 36-megapixel image sensor; Unusually wide sensitivity range for its resolution; Improved performance and buffer depths; Improved video feature set; Impressive low-light autofocus
Prone to moire and false color with some subjects; No longer available with a low-pass filter; Demands excellent lenses for the best detail; White balance tends warm under tungsten lighting
Read our Nikon D810 Review

20MP sensor; Better per-pixel sharpness; Very good, slightly improved dynamic range and high ISOs; Stellar 4K video up to 60p with no crop; 6K Photo; Dual UHS-II SD slots; Good battery life for its class.
Buffer is deep, but slow to clear; Expensive; Menus still confusing; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.
Read our Panasonic GH5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D810

Canon 5D Mark IV

$2346
35mm

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

$2499
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D810 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Panasonic GH5

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2499
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D800

Nikon D810

Nikon D800

$2346
35mm

Longer stills battery life
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$1850
35mm

Fast startup
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D810 vs Nikon D800

Panasonic GH5

Nikon D800

$1348
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$1850
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Nikon D800

Compared to Nikon D800E

Nikon D810

Nikon D800E

$2346
35mm

Longer stills battery life
Faster JPEG shooting

$2212
35mm

Fast startup

Compare Nikon D810 vs Nikon D800E

Panasonic GH5

Nikon D800E

$1348
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$2212
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Nikon D800E

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Nikon D810

Canon 5DS R

$2346
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher effective ISO

$1729
35mm

Less expensive
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D810 vs Canon 5DS R

Panasonic GH5

Canon 5DS R

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1729
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Panasonic G9

Nikon D810

Panasonic G9

$2346
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1065
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Nikon D810 vs Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G9

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

$1065
4/3

High resolution composite
Top deck display

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G9

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