✦ SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARE

Nikon Z8 vs Panasonic Lumix S5: which is better?

Nikon Z8 and Panasonic Lumix S5 compared side by side across 123 specs and 13 scored categories — every winner highlighted, so the right pick is obvious.

2 PRODUCTS · 123 SPECS · 13 SCORED CATEGORIES · LIVE RE-RANKING

COMPARING

2 / 4

CAMERAS

Add or remove products — every chart and spec row re-ranks live.

← TOP PICK

NIKON

Nikon Z8

$5,075

BEST OVERALL

PANASONIC

Panasonic Lumix S5

$1,999

BEST VALUE

Add product

2 AVAILABLE

⚡ COMPARZONE VERDICT

The Nikon Z8 takes the overall win.

Highest composite at 9.2/10 — 0.5 ahead of the Panasonic Lumix S5. Dead heat on battery. Scroll for the category-by-category breakdown.

View the winner →

CATEGORY WINS · 13 SCOREDTIES SHOWN GREY

AUTO

BATT

BUIL

DESI

DOXM

FEAT

IMAG

OPTI

PERF

VIDE

VALU

THEV

Nikon Z8×11

Panasonic Lumix S5×1

Nikon Z8 Mirrorless CameraBEST OVERALL

Panasonic Lumix S5 Full-Frame Mirrorless CameraBEST VALUE

01 · SCORE RADAR

Performance profile

CLICK A PRODUCT TO ISOLATE ITS SHAPE

LARGEST GAPTHE VERDICT — Panasonic Lumix S5 leads by 8.7

TIGHTESTBATTERY — dead heat between the top two

02 · CATEGORY BREAKDOWN

Category showdown

NIKON Z8LUMIX S5

AutofocusiNikon Z8 · +2.0

NIKON Z89.5

LUMIX S57.5

BATTERYiTIED AT 7.0

NIKON Z87.0

LUMIX S57.0

BuildiNikon Z8 · +1.0

NIKON Z89.5

LUMIX S58.5

DESIGNiNikon Z8 · +0.5

NIKON Z89.0

LUMIX S58.5

DOXMARKiNikon Z8 · +0.5

NIKON Z89.5

LUMIX S59.0

FEATURESiNikon Z8 · +0.5

NIKON Z89.3

LUMIX S58.8

Image QualityiNikon Z8 · +0.5

NIKON Z89.5

LUMIX S59.0

OPTICSiNikon Z8 · +0.7

NIKON Z89.5

LUMIX S58.8

PERFORMANCEiNikon Z8 · +0.8

NIKON Z89.3

LUMIX S58.5

VIDEOGRAPHYiNikon Z8 · +0.4

NIKON Z89.6

LUMIX S59.2

VideoiNikon Z8 · +0.6

NIKON Z89.6

LUMIX S59.0

ValueiNikon Z8 · +8.5

NIKON Z88.5

LUMIX S50.0

THE VERDICTiPanasonic Lumix S5 · +8.7

NIKON Z80.0

LUMIX S58.7

03 · VALUE MAP

Price vs performance

TOP-LEFT IS THE SWEET SPOT

SCORE PER $100 · RANKED

01Panasonic Lumix S50.44BEST DEAL

02Nikon Z80.18

Map shows current starting prices · trends show tracked street prices. Check live deals before deciding.

04 · THE FULL SHEET

Full specifications

123 SPECS · ALL SHOWN

SPECS

Nikon Z8$5,07523W9.2

Panasonic Lumix S5$1,9995W8.7

AF Pointsi

493← BEST +119%

225

Subject Detectioni

People, Animals, Vehicles

Human, Animal (head, body, eye)

Burst RateFPSi

20 fps← BEST +186%

7 fps

Battery HealthWHiSAME

16 Wh

Removable BatteryiSAME

Yes

Battery Level IndicatoriSAME

Yes

Battery PowerMAHi

2280 mAh mAh

2200 mAh

Rechargeable BatteryiSAME

Yes

Full Charge Shotsi

340-370 shots

470 shots (CIPA LVF)

Battery VoltageVi

7 V

7.2 V← BEST +3%

Battery Modeli

EN-EL15c ( Li-ion Battery )

DMW-BLK22

Card Slotsi

1x CFexpress Type B, 1x SD UHS-II

Dual (1x UHS-II, 1x UHS-I)

Weather SealingiSAME

Yes

Battery (CIPA)SHOTSi

340 shots

470 shots← BEST +38%

WeightGi

910 g

714 g← 22% lighter

Weather Sealed ( Splashproof )i

Yes

Yes, splash/dust resistant

Screen Resolutioni

2.1M dots

1,840,000 dots

Touch ScreeniSAME

Yes

System Camerai

Yes

Yes (mirrorless)

EVF ResolutionM DOTSi

3.69 m dots← BEST +56%

2.36 m dots

Screen SizeINCHi

3.2 inch← BEST +7%

3 inch

Hot ShoeiSAME

Yes

FlashiSAME

Flip Out ScreeniSAME

Yes

VolumeCM³i

1,416.9 cm³

1032 cm³

Lowest Potential Operating Temperature°CiSAME

0 °C

Tilting Viewfinderi

N/A

EVF Refresh Rate ( Max )HZiSAME

120 Hz

WidthMMi

144 mm← BEST +9%

132.6 mm

HeightMMi

118.5 mm← BEST +16%

102.5 mm

Maximum Operating Temperature°CiSAME

40 °C

Waterproof DepthiSAME

Thicknessi

83 mm

76 mm

Dxomark Sensor Scorei

100← BEST +8%

Dxomark Sports Scorei

4,078← BEST +16278%

24.9

Dxomark Landscape Scorei

26.3← BEST +81%

14.5

Dxomark Portrait ScoreiSAME

25.5

Bluetooth Versioni

5.0

4.2

Typei

Mirrorless

Mirrorless Full-Frame

ViewfinderiSAME

Electronic

Viewfinder CoverageiSAME

100

WeightGi

910 g← BEST +27%

714 g

Processori

EXPEED 7

Venus Engine

Release Datei

2023-05-10

2020-09-02

Wi-Fi SupportediSAME

Yes

Bluetooth SupportediSAME

Yes

Dual Card SlotsiSAME

Yes

Pixel Shift Shoti

Yes

Yes (High Resolution Mode)

Shoots RawiSAME

Yes

Supports Lossless Compressed RawiSAME

Yes

Wi-Fi VersioniSAME

802.11ac

Supports A RemoteiSAME

Yes

HDMI SupportediSAME

Yes

GPS Supporti

Yes← BEST

Support Live StreamingiSAME

Yes

Advanced Hot Shoei

Yes

Internal StorageiSAME

HDMI Versioni

Type A

2.0 (Type D Micro)

Internal Storage SizeiSAME

0 GB

NFC SupportediSAME

USB Type-CiSAME

Yes

External Memory SlotiSAME

Yes

Sensori

Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS

Full-Frame CMOS

ResolutionMPi

45.7 MP← BEST +89%

24.2 MP

ISO Rangei

64-25600 (expandable to 32-102400)

100-51200

Dynamic RangeSTOPSiSAME

14 stops

Stabilizationi

5-axis Sensor-Shift VR

5-axis Sensor-Shift (IBIS)

Sensor Sizei

35.9 x 23.9 mm

35.6 x 23.8 mm (Full-Frame)

Lens MountiSAME

Yes

Megapixelsi

45.7 MP

24.2 MP

Maximum ISOi

25,600

51,200← BEST +100%

Sensor Shift StabilizationiSAME

Yes

Continuous Shootingi

20 fps (RAW), 30 fps (JPEG)

7 fps (AF-S), 5 fps (AF-C)

Phase Detection Autofocus For Photosi

Yes← BEST

Fastest Shutter Speedi

1/32000s (Electronic)

1/8000 sec

Focus Pointsi

493

225

Maximum Expanded ISOi

102400

204800

AF TrackingiSAME

Yes

Manual FocusiSAME

Yes

Touch AutofocusiSAME

Yes

Manual Shutter SpeediSAME

Yes

BSI SensoriSAME

Yes

Manual ExposureiSAME

Yes

Serial Shot ModeiSAME

Yes

CMOS SensoriSAME

Yes

Built In HDR ModeiSAME

Yes

Two Stage ShutteriSAME

Yes

Manual ISOiSAME

Yes

Flash Sync Speedi

1/200s

1/250 sec

Manual White BalanceiSAME

Yes

Exposure Timei

30 sec

60-1/8000 sec

Image Stabilization Ratingi

9.8← BEST +51%

6.5

Maximum Electronic Shutter Speedi

1/32000s

1/8000 sec

Can Combine Image Stabilizationi

Yes (Synchro VR)

Yes (Dual I.S. 2)

Can Create Panoramas In CameraiSAME

Stacked Cmos Sensori

Yes← BEST

USB SupportediSAME

Yes

USB Versioni

3.2 Gen 2

3.2 Gen 1

Pixel Size ( Main Camera )i

4.35 µm

5.94 µm

Build Qualityi

9.5← BEST +12%

8.5

Controlsi

9← BEST +6%

8.5

Autofocus Pointsi

9.5← BEST +27%

7.5

Image Qualityi

9.5← BEST +6%

Video Qualityi

9.5← BEST +6%

Battery LifeiSAME

Low Light Performancei

9← BEST +6%

8.5

The Verdicti

—

The Panasonic Lumix S5 is an outstanding choice for videographers and hybrid shooters seeking a compact, full-frame camera with class-leading video features and excellent image quality. While its DFD

CommentsiSAME

—

Overall Ratingi

9← BEST +3%

8.7

Color Combinationi

9.8

10← BEST +2%

Video Recording ( Main Camera )i

8K/60p, 4K/120p

4K 60p (APS-C crop), 4K 30p (full-frame)

Phase Detection Autofocus For Videosi

Yes← BEST

Microphone InputiSAME

Yes

Audio JackiSAME

Yes

Timelapse FunctioniSAME

Yes

Movie Bit Ratei

Up to 900 Mbps (N-RAW)

200 Mbps

24p Cinema ModeiSAME

Yes

Supports Slow Motion Video RecordiSAME

Yes

Continuous Autofocus When Recording MoviesiSAME

Yes

Stereo MicrophoneiSAME

Yes

MicrophoneiSAME

Yes

Max Videoi

8K 60p

4K 60p

Internal Colori

10-bit H.264/H.265, 12-bit N-RAW/ProRes RAW HQ

10-bit 4:2:2

ROW WINS

05 · WHICH ONE IS FOR YOU

Pick by persona

RE-RANKS LIVE AS YOU ADD OR REMOVE PRODUCTS

THE ALL-ROUNDER

Best overall

Nikon Z8NIKON9.2

ALL GROUPSEQUAL WEIGHT

Best total score across weighted category factors.

RUNNER-UP · Panasonic Lumix S5 (8.7)

FOR VALUE SEEKERS

Best bang for buck

Panasonic Lumix S5PANASONIC8.7

SCORE ÷ PRICELIVE PRICES

Strongest score-to-price ratio from the available price data.

RUNNER-UP · Nikon Z8 (0.2)

PRIORITY · THE VERDICT

Best for the verdict

Panasonic Lumix S5PANASONIC8.7

THE VERDICT WEIGHTEDCONF 84%

Best visible score in the the verdict category group.

RUNNER-UP · Nikon Z8 (0.0)

PRIORITY · VALUE

Best for value

Nikon Z8NIKON8.5

VALUE WEIGHTEDCONF 82%

Best visible score in the value category group.

RUNNER-UP · Panasonic Lumix S5 (0.0)

06 · BOTTOM LINE

Why pick each

STRENGTHS · AND ONE HONEST TRADE-OFF

#1NIKON0.0

Nikon Z8

“The Nikon Z8 is a high-performance, professional-grade mirrorless camera, offering a compact yet powerful solution for demanding photographe”

VIDEOGRAPHY 9.6

Video 9.6

Wins Image Quality

Wins Overall Rating

TRADE-OFFPremium price point

BEST OVERALLFull review →

#2PANASONIC0.0

Panasonic Lumix S5

“The Panasonic Lumix S5 is a compact, full-frame mirrorless camera renowned for its exceptional video capabilities and robust image quality, ”

VIDEOGRAPHY 9.2

DOXMARK 9.0

Wins Battery Voltage

Wins Maximum ISO

TRADE-OFFContrast-detect autofocus can struggle with tracking

BEST VALUEBest price →

Still deciding? The Nikon Z8 is the safest pick.

COMPOSITE 9.2/10 · WINS 11 OF 13 CATEGORIES

View the winner →

Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera vs Panasonic Lumix S5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera: which is better?

The Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera is our overall pick, scoring 9.2/10 against 8.7/10 for the Panasonic Lumix S5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera — a 6% edge. Current starting prices span $1,999–$5,075. The score weighs category-specific cameras attributes, spec wins, price signals, and data confidence — not sponsorships.

Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera leads overall with a 9.2 total score.
Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera wins 71 comparable specs with a 63% weighted win rate.
Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera has the strongest high-impact advantage in Image Quality.
Panasonic Lumix S5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera has the best visible score-to-price balance based on available starting price.

Nikon Z8 Mirrorless CameraWINNER 9.2/10

The Nikon Z8 is a high-performance, professional-grade mirrorless camera, offering a compact yet powerful solution for demanding photographers and videographers.

Pros

+ Exceptional 45.7MP stacked sensor
+ Blazing fast autofocus with subject detection
+ Robust 8K/60p video capabilities
+ Durable, weather-sealed construction

Cons

− Premium price point
− Battery life could be better
− No built-in vertical grip

Best for: Professional Photographers · Advanced Videographers · Wildlife and Sports Shooters

“Verdict: The Nikon Z8 is an outstanding professional mirrorless camera, delivering nearly all the capabilities of the flagship Z9 in a more portable form factor. It's a top-tier choice for demanding photographers and videographers who need…”

Panasonic Lumix S5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera8.7/10

The Panasonic Lumix S5 is a compact, full-frame mirrorless camera renowned for its exceptional video capabilities and robust image quality, perfect for hybrid shooters.

Pros

+ Exceptional 4K 10-bit video capabilities
+ Excellent 5-axis in-body image stabilization
+ Superb image quality and dynamic range
+ Compact and lightweight full-frame design

Cons

− Contrast-detect autofocus can struggle with tracking
− 4K 60p video has an APS-C crop
− Electronic viewfinder resolution is modest

Best for: Professional videographers · Hybrid photo/video creators · Travel and documentary filmmakers

“Verdict: The Panasonic Lumix S5 is an outstanding choice for videographers and hybrid shooters seeking a compact, full-frame camera with class-leading video features and excellent image quality. While its DFD autofocus isn't the fastest…”

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera or Panasonic Lumix S5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera?

By ComparZone's weighted scoring of category-specific cameras specs, the Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera scores highest overall (9.2/10, 0.5 points ahead of the Panasonic Lumix S5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera). It is the better all-round pick, but the right choice depends on your priorities — the spec table above shows exactly where each one wins.

What are the main differences between Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera and Panasonic Lumix S5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera?

The biggest measurable differences are Image Quality, Overall Rating, Sensor — with the Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera leading on Image Quality. The grouped spec sheet above marks the winner of every comparable spec.

Is the Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera better value than the Panasonic Lumix S5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera?

The Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera starts around $5,075 and the Panasonic Lumix S5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera around $1,999. Weigh the score gap against the price gap: a small score lead rarely justifies a large premium unless it comes from the specs you personally care about.

Can I compare other cameras on ComparZone?

Yes — ComparZone supports dynamic comparison pages for any 2 to 4 cameras from the same category, with verified specs, transparent scores, and live prices. See the related comparisons below or build your own from the category page.

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