• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Panasonic G5 advantages over Nikon S1

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/160 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More dots on screen
    920k 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
    16.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon S1 advantages over Panasonic G5

  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    323g vs 575g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 6.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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

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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.

  • Read our Panasonic G5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon J1

Panasonic G5
Nikon J1
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Nikon J1

Nikon S1
Nikon J1
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Wider angle kit lens

Compare Nikon S1 vs Nikon J1

Compared to Nikon J2

Panasonic G5
Nikon J2
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Nikon J2

Nikon S1
Nikon J2
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Wider angle kit lens

Compare Nikon S1 vs Nikon J2

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Panasonic G5
Panasonic GH3
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Higher-res screen
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic GH3

Nikon S1
Panasonic GH3
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Nikon S1 vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Panasonic G6

Panasonic G5
Panasonic G6
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic G6

Nikon S1
Panasonic G6
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Thinner
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Nikon S1 vs Panasonic G6

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic G5
Olympus E-M1
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Olympus E-M1

Nikon S1
Olympus E-M1
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon S1 vs Olympus E-M1

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