Nikon Z6 II vs Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · Mirrorless · 24.5 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Nikon Z6 II
83
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 24.2 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
79
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon Z6 II and the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 are both full frame mirrorless cameras from 2020 and 2021 respectively. They sit close together: the Z6 II is the shallower body at 70 mm deep against 82 mm, and the lighter by 9 g at 705 g against 714 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2020 | 2021 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 14, 2020 | February 9, 2021 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 134 x 101 x 70 mm | 133 x 97 x 82 mm |
| Camera weight | 705 g | 714 g |
| Optics | 83/100 | 78/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Z6 II is the stronger choice for fast action, with a 14 fps burst rate against 7 fps on the S5. It also offers 273 autofocus points against 225, giving you more placement options when tracking a subject. Its electronic viewfinder is sharper, with 3,690,000 dots against 2,360,000 on the S5, making it easier to judge fine detail at the moment of capture. Both use a full frame CMOS sensor with in-body stabilisation, so handheld work at slower shutter speeds is equally supported. Resolution is nearly a match, 24.5 MP on the Z6 II against 24.2 MP on the S5, so neither gains meaningful cropping headroom. The lens mounts differ, so the Z6 II takes Nikon Z glass while the S5 uses Leica L mount lenses. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.5 MP050 | 24.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6048 x 4024 | 6000 x 4000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
35.9 x 23.9 | 23.8 x 35.6 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
14 fps045 | 7 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon Z | Leica L |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Dual Expeed 6 | Venus Engine |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
512003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
2048003003280000 | 2048003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
2730300 | 2250300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 369000009900000 | 236000009900000 |
| Video | 91/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Z6 II is the better pick for slow motion, with a 120 fps maximum video frame rate against 60 fps on the S5. That lets you slow a dancer's turn or a water splash to half speed with smooth motion. Both record 4K as their maximum resolution and offer a built-in timelapse mode, so ordinary projects are equally served. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
120 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV, MP4 | MP4, MOV |
| Features | 87/100 | 85/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe S5 is the friendlier camera for self-framing and odd angles, because it has a flip screen and the Z6 II does not. That matters for vlogging, low-level macro work over a flower bed, or overhead wedding frames. The Z6 II counters with a larger, sharper screen, 3.2 inches and 2,100,000 dots against 3 inches and 1,840,000. Protection and connectivity are shared. Both are weather sealed, offer a touch-enabled TFT LCD with live view, and include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless transfer. Neither has GPS, so travel shots carry no automatic location data, and neither has a built-in flash, though both accept external flash units. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
21000001150001500000 | 18400001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 71/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe S5 offers the longer rated battery life, 440 shots against 410 for the Z6 II under their respective test conditions. Both support USB charging from a power bank, and both carry two card slots. Card formats differ in a useful way. The Z6 II pairs an SD slot with CFexpress Type B or XQD support, giving fast cards for long bursts and large video files. The S5 uses two UHS-II SD slots, so one card type fills both. | ||
| Memory card | SD, CFexpress Type B / XQD (UHS-II compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | EN-EL15c | DMW-BLK22 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
410 shots1505000 | 440 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Nikon Z6 II if you shoot moving subjects. Its 14 fps burst, 273 autofocus points and sharper viewfinder suit sports, running dogs and birds in flight. Its 120 fps maximum video frame rate adds slow motion.
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 if you often shoot alone or from awkward angles. Its flip screen suits vlogging, low-level flower shots and overhead wedding frames. Its 440-shot rated battery life leads the Z6 II's 410, and its dual SD slots keep media simple.