• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 675.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon L820 advantages over Panasonic GM5

  • Less expensive
    $280 vs $899 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 540 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.0 fps vs 5.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic GM5 advantages over Nikon L820

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 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
    ~ 3.77 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    56 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera

Common Weaknesses

  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon L820

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GM5

Review Excerpt

  • Great image quality for a tiny camera; Excellent high ISO for its class; Built-in EVF; Built-in hot-shoe; Improved ergonomics; Improved image quality for long exposures; Improved burst rate with hybrid shutter; 1080/60p video.

  • Slightly bigger than GM1 (but not by much); No built-in flash; Shallow buffers with RAW files; Dynamic range not quite as good as some competing models; Below average battery life.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon L810

Nikon L820
Nikon L810
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
Panasonic GM5
Nikon L810
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Samsung WB100

Nikon L820
Samsung WB100
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Panasonic GM5
Samsung WB100
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic GM1

Nikon L820
Panasonic GM1
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic GM5
Panasonic GM1
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Fujifilm S8600

Nikon L820
Fujifilm S8600
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More dots on screen
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Panasonic GM5
Fujifilm S8600
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Nikon L820
Panasonic GF7
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic GM5
Panasonic GF7
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Hot shoe
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
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