• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon S1 advantages over Panasonic GM5

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $899 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • More telephoto lens reach
    74 mm vs 64 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 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 S1

  • 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.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Higher effective ISO
    721 vs 397 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 30 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

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 J1

Nikon S1
Nikon J1
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Wider angle kit lens
Panasonic GM5
Nikon J1
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Nikon J2

Nikon S1
Nikon J2
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Wider angle kit lens
Panasonic GM5
Nikon J2
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Panasonic GM1

Nikon S1
Panasonic GM1
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic GM5
Panasonic GM1
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Nikon J4

Nikon S1
Nikon J4
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
Panasonic GM5
Nikon J4
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Nikon S1
Panasonic GF7
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic GM5
Panasonic GF7
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Hot shoe
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
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