• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Nikon S5300 advantages over Panasonic GX8

  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    20 mm vs 63 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    138g vs 487g
    Lighter weight
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Nikon S5300

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
    ~ 3.34 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 340 vs 180 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k 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
    20.3 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • 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
    Unlimited vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • 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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S5300
Nikon S5300

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX8
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Silver)
All GX8 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Highest resolution Micro Four Thirds camera yet; Great high ISO performance; Very fast autofocus; Fast burst mode with deep buffers; Impressive Dual I.S. system; Great 4K video.

  • No built-in flash; Slow buffer clearing; Below average battery life; Limited I.S. for 4K video.

  • Read our Panasonic GX8 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon S5200

Nikon S5300
Nikon S5200
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Faster shutter

Compare Nikon S5300 vs Nikon S5200

Panasonic GX8
Nikon S5200
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Nikon S5200

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Nikon S5300
Olympus E-M1
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon S5300 vs Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GX8
Olympus E-M1
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Nikon S3600

Nikon S5300
Nikon S3600
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon S5300 vs Nikon S3600

Panasonic GX8
Nikon S3600
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Nikon S3600

Compared to Canon 340 HS

Nikon S5300
Canon 340 HS
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus

Compare Nikon S5300 vs Canon 340 HS

Panasonic GX8
Canon 340 HS
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Canon 340 HS

Compared to Panasonic G7

Nikon S5300
Panasonic G7
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $665
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon S5300 vs Panasonic G7

Panasonic GX8
Panasonic G7
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • NFC
  • $665
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Panasonic G7

Compare Other Cameras?