• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 810.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

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Differences

Nikon P500 advantages over Panasonic G5

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.0 fps vs 6.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic G5 advantages over Nikon P500

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 310 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    70 mm vs 102 mm
    Thinner
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    18 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic G5

Review Excerpt

  • Small, compact body with excellent focusing and exposure capabilities; Newly enhanced touchpanel LCD screen makes image capture and review a joy; Excellent HD video recording quality.

  • Some controls difficult to access; Too easy to activate menus and options while shooting; Lack of a microphone-in jack limits video recording usefulness.

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm S4000

Nikon P500
Fujifilm S4000
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More dots on screen
  • $205
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Panasonic G5
Fujifilm S4000
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $205
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Olympus SP-820UZ

Nikon P500
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
Panasonic G5
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Slow-motion videos

Compared to Canon SX50

Nikon P500
Canon SX50
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • More telephoto lens reach
Panasonic G5
Canon SX50
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher max flash sync

Compared to Panasonic G6

Nikon P500
Panasonic G6
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic G5
Panasonic G6
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Nikon P500
Olympus E-M1
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic G5
Olympus E-M1
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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