Nikon J5 vs Panasonic G7

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon J5 vs Panasonic G7

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.8 megapixels
ISO 160 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon J5 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon J5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the J5.
Compare Nikon J5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon J5 conclusion.

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic G7 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic G7 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G7.
Compare Panasonic G7 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic G7 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic G85
Compare G7 vs G85
Compare Nikon J5 vs Panasonic G85

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Differences

Nikon J5 advantages over Panasonic G7

Less expensive
$497 vs $598
Save money for lenses or accessories
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
31 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
345g vs 542g
Lighter weight
More pixels
20.8 vs 16.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
59.4 fps vs 8.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
59.4 fps vs 6.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic G7 advantages over Nikon J5

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 3.77 vs 2.37 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~1.10 vs 2.0 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

360 vs 250 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/160 vs 1/60 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
240 vs 20 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read J5 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G7 User Reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon J5

Kit with 10-30mm lens (Black)

Kit with 10-30mm lens (Black)
Kit with 10-100mm lens (Silver)
Kit with 10-100mm lens (White)
Kit with 10-30mm & 30-110mm lenses (Silver)
Kit with 10-30mm & 30-110mm lenses (White)
Kit with 10-30mm lens (Silver)
Kit with 10-30mm lens (White)

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic G7

Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Silver)

Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Silver)
Kit with 14-140mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Black)

Review Excerpt

Photographer-friendly controls; Impressive dynamic range for its class; Very fast hybrid autofocus; Fast high-speed shooting capabilities; Tilting touchscreen display.
No hot shoe or viewfinder; Aggressive noise reduction, even at base ISO; 4K video is limited to 15fps.
Read our Nikon J5 Review

Compact and lightweight for a fully-featured interchangeable-lens camera; Really fast autofocus; Good all-around performance too; Generous buffer depth; Versatile tilt/swivel LCD and high-res viewfinder; Touch-screen controls; Very affordable pricetag
Out of the box, colors are muted by consumer standards; Warm white balance under incandescent light; Handgrip is a little shallow for those with larger hands; Wi-Fi is overly complex and has limited range
Read our Panasonic G7 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon J3

Nikon J5

Nikon J3

$497
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$617
1 inch

Bigger pixels
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon J5 vs Nikon J3

Panasonic G7

Nikon J3

$665
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$617
1 inch

On-sensor phase detect
Thinner

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Nikon J3

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Nikon J5

Olympus E-M1

$497
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

$1099
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon J5 vs Olympus E-M1

Panasonic G7

Olympus E-M1

$665
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$1099
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Nikon J5

Panasonic GH4

$497
1 inch

Less expensive
Slower slow-motion

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Nikon J5 vs Panasonic GH4

Panasonic G7

Panasonic GH4

$665
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$998
4/3

Fast startup
NFC

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Panasonic GH4

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Nikon J5

Samsung NX Mini

$497
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
On-sensor phase detect

$600
1 inch

Longer stills battery life
Thinner

Compare Nikon J5 vs Samsung NX Mini

Panasonic G7

Samsung NX Mini

$665
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$600
1 inch

NFC
Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Samsung NX Mini

Compared to Nikon J4

Nikon J5

Nikon J4

$497
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Tiltable Screen

$350
1 inch

Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon J5 vs Nikon J4

Panasonic G7

Nikon J4

$665
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$350
1 inch

On-sensor phase detect
Thinner

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Nikon J4

Compare Other Cameras?