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Nikon D300S vs Panasonic GM5

The Nikon D300S and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in July 2009 and September 2014. The D300S is a DSLR, while the GM5 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on an APS-C (D300S) and a Four Thirds (GM5) sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 12.2 megapixels, whereas the Panasonic provides 15.8 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Nikon D300S
versus
Panasonic GM5
Nikon D300S   Panasonic GM5
Digital single lens reflex Mirrorless system camera
Nikon F mount lenses Micro Four Thirds lenses
12.2 MP – APS-C sensor 15.8 MP – Four Thirds sensor
720/24p Video 1080/60p Video
ISO 200-3,200 (100 - 6,400) ISO 200-25,600
Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder (1166k dots)
3.0" LCD – 920k dots 3.0" LCD – 921k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed touchscreen
7 shutter flaps per second 5.8 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed bodynot weather sealed
950 shots per battery charge220 shots per battery charge
147 x 115 x 81 mm, 938 g 99 x 60 x 36 mm, 211 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D300S and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Nikon D300S and the Panasonic GM5 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The GM5 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the D300S is only available in black.

Size Nikon D300S vs Panasonic GM5
Compare D300S versus GM5 top
Comparison D300S or GM5 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Panasonic GM5 is considerably smaller (65 percent) than the Nikon D300S. Moreover, the GM5 is substantially lighter (78 percent) than the D300S. It is worth mentioning in this context that the D300S is splash and dust resistant, while the GM5 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Nikon Lens Catalog (D300S) and the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog (GM5). Mirrorless cameras, such as the GM5, have moreover the advantage that they can use many lenses from other systems via adapters, as they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance.

Concerning battery life, the D300S gets 950 shots out of its Nikon EN-EL3e battery, while the GM5 can take 220 images on a single charge of its Panasonic DMW-BLH7 power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D300S 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 938 g 950 Y Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic GM5 99 mm 60 mm 36 mm 211 g 220 n Sep 2014 749ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon D2X 158 mm 150 mm 86 mm 1252 g 3800 Y Sep 2004 4,999ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D2Xs 158 mm 150 mm 86 mm 1252 g 3800 Y Jun 2006 4,699ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D60 126 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 500 n Jan 2008 629ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D200 147 mm 113 mm 74 mm 920 g 400 Y Nov 2005 1,699ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D300 147 mm 114 mm 74 mm 925 g 1000 Y Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D500 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 860 g 1240 Y Jan 2016 1,999ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D700 147 mm 123 mm 77 mm 1074 g 1000 Y Jul 2008 2,999ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D3100 124 mm 96 mm 75 mm 505 g 550 n Aug 2010 599ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D5000 127 mm 104 mm 80 mm 590 g 510 n Apr 2009 749ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D7000 132 mm 105 mm 77 mm 780 g 1050 Y Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic G6 122 mm 85 mm 71 mm 390 g 340 n Apr 2013 599ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic G7 125 mm 86 mm 77 mm 410 g 350 n May 2015 649ebay.com
15.
 
Panasonic GH2 124 mm 90 mm 76 mm 442 g 330 n Sep 2010 899ebay.com
16.
 
Panasonic GM1 99 mm 55 mm 30 mm 204 g 230 n Oct 2013 749ebay.com
17.
 
Panasonic GX1 116 mm 68 mm 39 mm 318 g 320 n Nov 2011 699ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The GM5 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 58 percent) than the D300S, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon D300S features an APS-C sensor and the Panasonic GM5 a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the GM5 is 40 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 2.0. The sensor in the D300S has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the GM5 offers a 4:3 aspect.

Nikon D300S and Panasonic GM5 sensor measures

Despite having a smaller sensor, the GM5 offers a higher resolution of 15.8 megapixels, compared with 12.2 MP of the D300S. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.77μm versus 5.53μm for the D300S). However, it should be noted that the GM5 is much more recent (by 5 years and 1 month) than the D300S, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

The resolution advantage of the Panasonic GM5 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the GM5 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 23 x 17.2 inches or 58.3 x 43.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 18.4 x 13.8 inches or 46.7 x 35 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 15.3 x 11.5 inches or 38.9 x 29.2 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D300S are 21.4 x 14.2 inches or 54.5 x 36.2 cm for good quality, 17.2 x 11.4 inches or 43.6 x 28.9 cm for very good quality, and 14.3 x 9.5 inches or 36.3 x 24.1 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Nikon D300S has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 3200, which can be extended to ISO 100-6400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 are ISO 200 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-25600.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

D300S versus GM5 MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). Of the two cameras under review, the D300S has a notably higher overall DXO score than the GM5 (overall score 4 points higher), which gives it an advantage in terms of imaging quality. This advantage is based on 0.4 bits higher color depth, 0.5 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.1 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon D300S APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.512.278770
2.
 
Panasonic GM5 Four Thirds 15.8 4592 34481080/60p22.111.772166
3.
 
Nikon D2X APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.110.947659
4.
 
Nikon D2Xs APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.210.948959
5.
 
Nikon D60 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.511.456265
6.
 
Nikon D200 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.311.558364
7.
 
Nikon D300 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.112.067967
8.
 
Nikon D500 APS-C 20.7 5568 37124K/30p24.014.0132483
9.
 
Nikon D700 Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832none23.512.2230380
10.
 
Nikon D3100 APS-C 14.2 4608 30721080/24p22.511.391967
11.
 
Nikon D5000 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.586872
12.
 
Nikon D7000 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/24p23.513.9116780
13.
 
Panasonic G6 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/60p21.311.563961
14.
 
Panasonic G7 Four Thirds 15.8 4592 34484K/30p22.812.490471
15.
 
Panasonic GH2 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/60i21.211.365560
16.
 
Panasonic GM1 Four Thirds 15.8 4592 34481080/60i22.311.766066
17.
 
Panasonic GX1 Four Thirds 15.8 4592 34481080/60p20.810.670355
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the GM5 provides a better video resolution than the D300S. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60p, while the Nikon is limited to 720/24p.

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the GM5 has an electronic viewfinder (1166k dots), while the D300S has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the D300S has a higher magnification than the one of the GM5 (0.63x vs 0.46x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Nikon D300S and Panasonic GM5 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
  empty Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Nikon D300Soptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
2.
 
Panasonic GM51166 n3.0 / 921 fixed Y 1/500s 5.8/s n n
3.
 
Nikon D2Xoptical Y2.5 / 235 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
4.
 
Nikon D2Xsoptical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
5.
 
Nikon D60optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
6.
 
Nikon D200optical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
7.
 
Nikon D300optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
8.
 
Nikon D500optical Y3.2 / 2359 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
9.
 
Nikon D700optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n
10.
 
Nikon D3100optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon D5000optical n2.7 / 230 full-flex n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
12.
 
Nikon D7000optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
13.
 
Panasonic G61440 n3.0 / 1036 swivel Y 1/4000s 7.0/s Y n
14.
 
Panasonic G72360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 7.0/s Y n
15.
 
Panasonic GH21534 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
16.
 
Panasonic GM1none n3.0 / 1036 fixed Y 1/500s 5.0/s Y n
17.
 
Panasonic GX1optional n3.0 / 460 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.2/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The D300S has one, while the GM5 does not. While the built-in flash of the D300S is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the GM5 is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Nikon D300S and the Panasonic GM5 both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The D300S writes its imaging data to Compact Flash or SDXC cards, while the GM5 uses SDXC cards. The D300S features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the GM5 only has one slot. The GM5 supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the D300S cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon D300S and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon D300SYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
2.
 
Panasonic GM5Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
3.
 
Nikon D2XY- / ----2.0---
4.
 
Nikon D2XsY- / ----2.0---
5.
 
Nikon D60Y- / ----2.0---
6.
 
Nikon D200Y- / ----2.0---
7.
 
Nikon D300Y- / ---mini2.0---
8.
 
Nikon D500Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0YYY
9.
 
Nikon D700Y- / ---mini2.0---
10.
 
Nikon D3100Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
11.
 
Nikon D5000Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
12.
 
Nikon D7000Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
13.
 
Panasonic G6Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
14.
 
Panasonic G7Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
15.
 
Panasonic GH2Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
16.
 
Panasonic GM1-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
17.
 
Panasonic GX1Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---

It is notable that the D300S has a microphone port, which is missing on the GM5. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Nikon D300S (unlike the GM5) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the D300S and the GM5 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D300S was replaced by the Nikon D500, while the GM5 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the D300S and GM5 can be found, respectively, in the Nikon D300S Manual (free pdf) or the online Panasonic GM5 Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Nikon D300S or the Panasonic GM5 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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Advantages of the Nikon D300S:

  • Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (4 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.63x vs 0.46x).
  • Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/500s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (7 vs 5.8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (950 versus 220) on a single battery charge.
  • Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
  • Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in July 2009).

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Arguments in favor of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (15.8 vs 12.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 12%.
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/60p vs 720/24p).
  • More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
  • Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • More compact: Is smaller (99x60mm vs 147x115mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 727g or 78 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (58 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 5 years and 1 month of technical progress since the D300S launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the D300S comes out slightly ahead of the GM5 (13 : 12 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

D300S 13:12 GM5

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D300S and the Panasonic GM5 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the D300S or the GM5 perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D300S5/5+ +..82/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic GM53.5/5+..77/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2014 749ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon D2X......+ +.... Sep 2004 4,999ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D2Xs............ Jun 2006 4,699ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D60..80/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Jan 2008 629ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D200..+ +..+ +o.. Nov 2005 1,699ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D300..+ +..+ +5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D5005/5+ +4.7/591/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 1,999ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D700..89/100..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Jul 2008 2,999ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D31005/5+ +..72/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2010 599ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D5000..+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Apr 2009 749ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D70004/5....80/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic G64/5+ +....5/54.5/5 Apr 2013 599ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic G74/5+ +3.5/580/1005/54.5/5 May 2015 649ebay.com
15.
 
Panasonic GH25/5+ +..79/1004.5/55/5 Sep 2010 899ebay.com
16.
 
Panasonic GM13/5+..78/1005/54.5/5 Oct 2013 749ebay.com
17.
 
Panasonic GX13/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Nov 2011 699ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Nikon D300S vs Panasonic GM5

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Nikon D300S Panasonic GM5
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Nikon F mount lenses Micro Four Thirds lenses
    Launch Date July 2009 September 2014
    Launch Price USD 1,799 USD 749
    Sensor Specs Nikon D300S Panasonic GM5
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor Four Thirds Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.6 x 15.8 mm 17.3 x 13.0 mm
    Sensor Area 372.88 mm2 224.9 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.4 mm 21.6 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 2.0x
    Sensor Resolution 12.2 Megapixels 15.8 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4288 x 2848 pixels 4592 x 3448 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.53 μm 3.77 μm
    Pixel Density 3.28 MP/cm2 7.04 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 720/24p Video 1080/60p Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 3,200 ISO 200 - 25,600 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 6,400 ISO 100 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor EXPEED Venus
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 70 66
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.5 22.1
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.2 11.7
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 787 721
    Screen Specs Nikon D300S Panasonic GM5
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.63x 0.46x
    Viewfinder Resolution 1166k dots
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 920k dots 921k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Nikon D300S Panasonic GM5
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/8000s 1/500s
    Continuous Shooting 7 shutter flaps/s 5.8 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterno E-Shutterup to 1/16000s
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inIntervalometer built-in
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium CF or SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots Single card slot
    UHS card support no UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Nikon D300S Panasonic GM5
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket no PC Sync
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI micro HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port no MIC socket
    Wifi Support no Wifi Wifi built-in
    Body Specs Nikon D300S Panasonic GM5
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodynot weather sealed
    Battery Type Nikon EN-EL3e Panasonic DMW-BLH7
    Battery Life (CIPA)950 shots per charge220 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 147 x 115 x 81 mm
    (5.8 x 4.5 x 3.2 in)
    99 x 60 x 36 mm
    (3.9 x 2.4 x 1.4 in)
    Camera Weight 938 g (33.1 oz) 211 g (7.4 oz)
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    Check D300S offers at
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    Check GM5 offers at
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