• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400

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Differences

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Nikon D5

  • Less expensive
    $998 vs $3789
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Thinner
    63 mm vs 92 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    487g vs 1415g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 200 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D5 advantages over Panasonic GX8

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.45 vs 3.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,343 vs 806 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 3780 vs 340 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Higher-res screen
    590k vs 346k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.1 fps vs 8.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.1 fps vs 7.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    183 vs 36 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    3276800 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX8

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5

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.

  • Excellent image quality; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 153-point autofocus system; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K video recording; Pro-quality camera body; Outstanding battery life.

  • Large and heavy body might not be right for all; Loud shutter; Underutilized touchscreen; Low ISO dynamic range not as good as predecessor; Extended high ISOs not very useful; Sluggish Live View AF.

The Competition

Compared to 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
Nikon D5
Olympus E-M1
  • $5143
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon D4S

Panasonic GX8
Nikon D4S
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D5
Nikon D4S
  • $5143
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic GX8
Panasonic G7
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • NFC
  • $665
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
Nikon D5
Panasonic G7
  • $5143
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $665
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Panasonic GX8
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D5
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $5143
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic GX8
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC
  • $1324
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Fast startup
Nikon D5
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $5143
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1324
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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