Panasonic GH5s versus Nikon D1

The Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5s and the Nikon D1 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in January 2018 and June 1999. The GH5s is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the D1 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a Four Thirds (GH5s) and an APS-C (D1) sensor. The Panasonic has a resolution of 9.9 megapixel, whereas the Nikon provides 2.6 MP. Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their size, their sensors, their features, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison: Panasonic GH5s vs Nikon D1

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Panasonic GH5s and the Nikon D1 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 width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter. You can also use the toggle button to switch to a percentage comparison if you prefer that the measures are being expressed in relative terms (in this case, the camera on the left – the GH5s – represents the basis or 100 percent across all the size and weight measures).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D1 is considerably larger (76 percent) than the Panasonic GH5s. Moreover, the D1 is substantially heavier (67 percent) than the GH5s. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

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 find an overview of optics for the two cameras in the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog (GH5s) and the Nikon Lens Catalog (D1). Mirrorless cameras, such as the Panasonic GH5s, have moreover the advantage that they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance and can thus use many lenses from other systems via adapters.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, just click on the right or left arrow next to the camera that you would like to inspect. Alternatively, you can also use the CAM-parator to select your camera combination among a larger number of options.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Panasonic GH5s»	5.5 in	3.9 in	3.4 in	23.3 oz	440	Y	Jan 2018	2,499			Panasonic GH5s
	Nikon D1«	6.2 in	6.0 in	3.3 in	38.8 oz	..	Y	Jun 1999	5,499	-		Nikon D1
	Nikon D4« »	6.3 in	6.2 in	3.6 in	47.3 oz	2600	Y	Jan 2012	5,999	-		Nikon D4
	Nikon D2Xs« »	6.2 in	5.9 in	3.4 in	44.2 oz	3800	Y	Jun 2006	4,699	-		Nikon D2Xs
	Nikon D2X« »	6.2 in	5.9 in	3.4 in	44.2 oz	3800	Y	Sep 2004	4,999	-		Nikon D2X
	Nikon D1H« »	6.2 in	6.0 in	3.3 in	38.8 oz	1200	Y	Feb 2001	4,499	-		Nikon D1H
	Nikon D1X« »	6.2 in	6.0 in	3.3 in	38.8 oz	1200	Y	Feb 2001	5,999	-		Nikon D1X
	Olympus E-M1 II« »	5.3 in	3.6 in	2.6 in	20.2 oz	440	Y	Sep 2016	1,999			Olympus E-M1 II
	Panasonic G9« »	5.4 in	3.8 in	3.6 in	23.2 oz	400	Y	Nov 2017	1,699			Panasonic G9
	Panasonic GH5« »	5.5 in	3.9 in	3.4 in	25.6 oz	410	Y	Jan 2017	1,999			Panasonic GH5
	Panasonic G85« »	5.0 in	3.5 in	2.9 in	17.8 oz	330	Y	Sep 2016	899			Panasonic G85
	Panasonic GX8« »	5.2 in	3.1 in	2.5 in	17.2 oz	330	Y	Jul 2015	1,199	-		Panasonic GX8
	Panasonic FZ300« »	5.2 in	3.6 in	4.6 in	24.4 oz	380	Y	Jul 2015	599			Panasonic FZ300
	Panasonic GH4« »	5.2 in	3.7 in	3.3 in	19.8 oz	500	Y	Feb 2014	1,499	-		Panasonic GH4
	Panasonic GH3« »	5.2 in	3.7 in	3.2 in	19.4 oz	540	Y	Sep 2012	1,299	-		Panasonic GH3
	Sony A9« »	5.0 in	3.8 in	2.5 in	23.7 oz	650	Y	Apr 2017	4,499			Sony A9
	Sony A7S II« »	5.0 in	3.8 in	2.4 in	22.1 oz	370	Y	Sep 2015	2,999			Sony A7S II
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The camera’s price is obviously a critical decision-making factor. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The GH5s was launched at a markedly lower price (by 55 percent) than the D1, 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: Panasonic GH5s vs Nikon D1

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to 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 Panasonic GH5s features a Four Thirds sensor and the Nikon D1 an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the D1 is 64 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.0 and 1.5. The sensor in the GH5s has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the D1 offers a 3:2 aspect.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Panasonic GH5s offers a higher resolution of 9.9 megapixel, compared with 2.6 MP of the Nikon D1. This megapixel advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 4.77μm versus 11.93μm for the D1). However, it should be noted that the GH5s is much more recent (by 18 years and 6 months) than the D1, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the GH5s has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. 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"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The GH5s indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the D1 does not. The highest resolution format that the GH5s can use is 4K/60p.

Feature comparison: Panasonic GH5s vs Nikon D1

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the GH5s has an electronic viewfinder (3680k dots), while the D1 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 table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Panasonic GH5s and Nikon D1 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras. If needed, the dpreview camera hub, for example, contains further detail on the cameras' specs.

The reported shutter speed and shutter burst refer to the use of the mechanical shutter. In addition, the GH5s features an electronic shutter, which makes silent shooting and higher burst speeds possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (flickering).

The GH5s is a current model that online retailers, such as amazon, will have in stock. In contrast, the D1 has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the D1 was succeeded by the Nikon D1X.

Review summary: Panasonic GH5s vs Nikon D1

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Panasonic GH5s or the Nikon D1 – has the upper hand? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5s:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (9.9 vs 2.6MP) with a 91% higher linear resolution.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 4K/60p movies.
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 2.0") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1620k vs 120k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (12 vs 1.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• More compact: Is smaller (139x98mm vs 157x153mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 440g or 40 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (55 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 18 years and 6 months of technical progress since the D1 launch.

Advantages of the Nikon D1:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• Easier setting verification: Has a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (16000/sec vs 8000/sec) to freeze action.
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in June 1999).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the GH5s is the clear winner of the match-up (15 : 5 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the GH5s or the D1 handle or perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased. This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog). The detailed reviews can be accessed by clicking on the site logo in the table header.

Review Scores

	Camera Model						Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Panasonic GH5s»	-	84/100	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	Jan 2018	2,499			Panasonic GH5s
	Nikon D1«	-	HiRec	-	-	-	Jun 1999	5,499	-		Nikon D1
	Nikon D4« »	-	-	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	Jan 2012	5,999	-		Nikon D4
	Nikon D2Xs« »	-	-	-	rev	-	Jun 2006	4,699	-		Nikon D2Xs
	Nikon D2X« »	-	HiRec	-	rev	-	Sep 2004	4,999	-		Nikon D2X
	Nikon D1H« »	-	HiRec	-	rev	-	Feb 2001	4,499	-		Nikon D1H
	Nikon D1X« »	-	HiRec	-	rev	-	Feb 2001	5,999	-		Nikon D1X
	Olympus E-M1 II« »	HiRec	85/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2016	1,999			Olympus E-M1 II
	Panasonic G9« »	HiRec	85/100	5/5	-	5/5	Nov 2017	1,699			Panasonic G9
	Panasonic GH5« »	HiRec	85/100	4.5/5	5/5	5/5	Jan 2017	1,999			Panasonic GH5
	Panasonic G85« »	HiRec	84/100	5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2016	899			Panasonic G85
	Panasonic GX8« »	Rec	82/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2015	1,199	-		Panasonic GX8
	Panasonic FZ300« »	HiRec	-	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2015	599			Panasonic FZ300
	Panasonic GH4« »	HiRec	85/100	5/5	5/5	5/5	Feb 2014	1,499	-		Panasonic GH4
	Panasonic GH3« »	HiRec	79/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	1,299	-		Panasonic GH3
	Sony A9« »	HiRec	89/100	5/5	5/5	5/5	Apr 2017	4,499			Sony A9
	Sony A7S II« »	Rec	-	4.5/5	5/5	5/5	Sep 2015	2,999			Sony A7S II

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when refering to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other camera comparisons

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