• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 27.00mm - 108.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Nikon S3000 advantages over Panasonic G5

  • Thinner
    19 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner

Panasonic G5 advantages over Nikon S3000

  • 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
    ~ 3.75 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

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 JV100

Nikon S3000
Fujifilm JV100
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Wider angle lens
  • $130
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
Panasonic G5
Fujifilm JV100
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $130
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon S4000

Nikon S3000
Nikon S4000
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
Panasonic G5
Nikon S4000
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner

Compared to Pentax RS1000

Nikon S3000
Pentax RS1000
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $117
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Higher extended ISO
Panasonic G5
Pentax RS1000
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $117
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic G6

Nikon S3000
Panasonic G6
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • $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 S3000
Olympus E-M1
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1050
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic G5
Olympus E-M1
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $1050
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Compare Other Cameras?