Nikon Z5 II vs Panasonic LUMIX S1R II
The bottom line
There's a real price gap here: the Nikon Z5 II at $1,699 versus the Panasonic LUMIX S1R II at $3,299. The extra buys you faster 40fps burst, 8K video and 44.3MP of resolution. The question is whether those advantages are ones you'll use often enough to justify the premium — if not, the cheaper body is the smart buy.
Choose the Nikon Z5 II if…
- ✓You're budget-conscious — it launched at $1,699, about $1,600 less, freeing money for lenses.
- ✓You shoot in low light or indoors — AF that focuses down to -10 EV gives it the edge after dark.
- ✓You need backup-while-you-shoot reliability — dual card slots (the other has one) matter for paid work like weddings and events.
Choose the Panasonic LUMIX S1R II if…
- ✓You shoot action, sports or wildlife — 40fps burst and 779 phase-detect points keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 14fps would drop frames.
- ✓You shoot video seriously — it brings 8K capture (up to 30p).
- ✓You want maximum detail for landscapes, studio or large prints — 44.3MP resolves noticeably more than 24.5MP and gives more cropping latitude.
Where they differ
- ›Video: the Panasonic LUMIX S1R II is the stronger video tool — 8K, 4K up to 60p and 10-bit internal.
- ›Burst: the Panasonic LUMIX S1R II shoots 40fps to the Nikon Z5 II's 14fps — the gap that decides whether you nail the peak moment in sports and wildlife.
- ›Price: the Nikon Z5 II launched at $1,699, $1,600 under the Panasonic LUMIX S1R II — money that could go toward glass.
- ›Card slots: the Nikon Z5 II has dual slots for instant backup — the reliability paid work depends on.
- ›Resolution: 44.3MP on the Panasonic LUMIX S1R II vs 24.5MP — more detail and crop room, at the cost of larger files.
- ›Weight: the Nikon Z5 II is 700g (1.54 lb) vs 795g (1.75 lb) — 95g you'll feel on a long day out.
Frequently asked
Is the Nikon Z5 II or the Panasonic LUMIX S1R II better?
There's a real price gap here: the Nikon Z5 II at $1,699 versus the Panasonic LUMIX S1R II at $3,299. The extra buys you faster 40fps burst, 8K video and 44.3MP of resolution. The question is whether those advantages are ones you'll use often enough to justify the premium — if not, the cheaper body is the smart buy.
Who should choose the Nikon Z5 II?
Choose the Nikon Z5 II if you're budget-conscious — it launched at $1,699, about $1,600 less, freeing money for lenses. Choose it if you shoot in low light or indoors — AF that focuses down to -10 EV gives it the edge after dark. Choose it if you need backup-while-you-shoot reliability — dual card slots (the other has one) matter for paid work like weddings and events.
Who should choose the Panasonic LUMIX S1R II?
Choose the Panasonic LUMIX S1R II if you shoot action, sports or wildlife — 40fps burst and 779 phase-detect points keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 14fps would drop frames. Choose it if you shoot video seriously — it brings 8K capture (up to 30p). Choose it if you want maximum detail for landscapes, studio or large prints — 44.3MP resolves noticeably more than 24.5MP and gives more cropping latitude.
What is the main difference between the Nikon Z5 II and the Panasonic LUMIX S1R II?
Video: the Panasonic LUMIX S1R II is the stronger video tool — 8K, 4K up to 60p and 10-bit internal.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | ||
| Sensor Type | Partially-Stacked CMOS | Partially-Stacked CMOS |
| Sensor Size | Full-Frame | Full-Frame |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 7 | Venus Engine |
| Effective Resolution | 24.5 MP | 44.3 MP |
| Lens Mount | Nikon Z | L-Mount |
| Exposure Control | ||
| ISO Range (Native) | 100 – 64000 | 80 – 51200 |
| ISO Range (Extended) | 50 – 204800 | 40 – 204800 |
| Mechanical Shutter | 1/8000 | 1/8000 |
| Electronic Shutter | 1/16000 | 1/16000 |
| Flash Sync Speed | 1/200 | 1/250 |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| Still Image Capture | ||
| Continuous Shooting | 14 fps | 40 fps |
| Video Capture | ||
| Max Resolution | 4K | 8.1K |
| 8K Recording | − | Up to 30p |
| 4K Recording | Up to 60p | Up to 60p |
| 1080p Recording | Up to 120p | Up to 120p |
| 10-bit Internal | Yes | Yes |
| Recording Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Log Profiles | N-Log / N-RAW / HLG | V-Log / HLG |
| Built-in Mic | Stereo | Stereo |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Mic Input | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Output | Full-size (Type A) | Full-size (Type A) |
| Focus | ||
| Phase Detect Points | 273 | 779 |
| Contrast Detect Points | − | − |
| Low Light AF | -10 EV | -6 EV |
| Eye AF | Yes | Yes |
| Animal AF | Yes | Yes |
| Vehicle AF | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| EVF Type | OLED | OLED |
| EVF Resolution | 3.69M dots | 5.76M dots |
| EVF Magnification | 0.8x | 0.78x |
| Monitor | ||
| LCD Size | 3.2" | 3.2" |
| LCD Resolution | 2.10M dots | 1.84M dots |
| LCD Type | Vari-Angle | Vari-Angle |
| Touch Screen | Yes | Yes |
| Interface | ||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | v5.3 | v5.2 |
| USB | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Memory Card Slots | 2x SD UHS-II | 1x CFexpress Type B + 1x SD UHS-II |
| GPS | No | No |
| General | ||
| Price (MSRP) | $1,699 | $3,299 |
| Body Material | Magnesium Alloy | Magnesium Alloy |
| Dimensions | 134×100.5×72 mm | 134.3×102.3×91.8 mm |
| Weight | 700g (1.54 lb) | 795g (1.75 lb) |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| In-Body Stabilization | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life (EVF) | 380 shots | 340 shots |
| Battery Life (LCD) | 420 shots | 380 shots |
| Battery Type | EN-EL15c | DMW-BLK22 |
