Panasonic LUMIX G97 vs Panasonic LUMIX GH5 II
The bottom line
There's a real price gap here: the Panasonic LUMIX G97 at $699 versus the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 II at $1,997. The extra buys you faster 12fps burst and dual card slots. 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 Panasonic LUMIX G97 if…
- ✓You're budget-conscious — it launched at $699, about $1,298 less, freeing money for lenses.
- ✓You value portability — at 530g (1.17 lb) it's noticeably lighter than the 727g (1.60 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
Choose the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 II if…
- ✓You shoot action, sports or wildlife — 12fps burst keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 9fps would drop frames.
- ✓You shoot video seriously — it brings smoother 60p 4K vs 30p and 10-bit internal colour.
- ✓You need backup-while-you-shoot reliability — dual card slots (the other has one) matter for paid work like weddings and events.
Where they differ
- ›Video: the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 II is the stronger video tool — 4K up to 60p, 10-bit internal and Log.
- ›Price: the Panasonic LUMIX G97 launched at $699, $1,298 under the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 II — money that could go toward glass.
- ›Card slots: the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 II has dual slots for instant backup — the reliability paid work depends on.
- ›Weight: the Panasonic LUMIX G97 is 530g (1.17 lb) vs 727g (1.60 lb) — 197g you'll feel on a long day out.
- ›Burst: the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 II shoots 12fps to the Panasonic LUMIX G97's 9fps — the gap that decides whether you nail the peak moment in sports and wildlife.
Frequently asked
Is the Panasonic LUMIX G97 or the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 II better?
There's a real price gap here: the Panasonic LUMIX G97 at $699 versus the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 II at $1,997. The extra buys you faster 12fps burst and dual card slots. 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 Panasonic LUMIX G97?
Choose the Panasonic LUMIX G97 if you're budget-conscious — it launched at $699, about $1,298 less, freeing money for lenses. Choose it if you value portability — at 530g (1.17 lb) it's noticeably lighter than the 727g (1.60 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
Who should choose the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 II?
Choose the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 II if you shoot action, sports or wildlife — 12fps burst keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 9fps would drop frames. Choose it if you shoot video seriously — it brings smoother 60p 4K vs 30p and 10-bit internal colour. 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.
What is the main difference between the Panasonic LUMIX G97 and the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 II?
Video: the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 II is the stronger video tool — 4K up to 60p, 10-bit internal and Log.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | ||
| Sensor Type | CMOS | Digital Live MOS |
| Sensor Size | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Image Processor | Venus Engine | Venus Engine |
| Effective Resolution | 20.3 MP | 20.3 MP |
| Lens Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Exposure Control | ||
| ISO Range (Native) | 200 – 25600 | 200 – 25600 |
| ISO Range (Extended) | − | 100 – 25600 |
| Mechanical Shutter | 1/4000 | 1/8000 |
| Electronic Shutter | 1/16000 | 1/16000 |
| Flash Sync Speed | − | 1/250 |
| Built-in Flash | Yes | No |
| Still Image Capture | ||
| Continuous Shooting | 9 fps | 12 fps |
| Video Capture | ||
| Max Resolution | 4K | 4K |
| 8K Recording | − | − |
| 4K Recording | Up to 30p | Up to 60p |
| 1080p Recording | Up to 60p | Up to 180p |
| 10-bit Internal | No | Yes |
| Recording Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Log Profiles | V-Log L | V-Log L / HLG |
| Built-in Mic | Stereo | Stereo |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Mic Input | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Output | − | Full-size (Type A) |
| Focus | ||
| Phase Detect Points | − | 225 |
| Contrast Detect Points | 49 | − |
| Low Light AF | − | -4 EV |
| Eye AF | Yes | Yes |
| Animal AF | Yes | Yes |
| Vehicle AF | No | No |
| Viewfinder | ||
| EVF Type | OLED | OLED |
| EVF Resolution | 2.36M dots | 3.68M dots |
| EVF Magnification | − | 0.76x |
| Monitor | ||
| LCD Size | 3" | 3" |
| LCD Resolution | 1.84M dots | 1.04M dots |
| LCD Type | Vari-Angle | Vari-Angle |
| Touch Screen | Yes | Yes |
| Interface | ||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | v5.0 | v5.2 |
| USB | USB-C | USB-C 3.2 |
| Memory Card Slots | 1x SD UHS-I | 2x SD UHS-II |
| GPS | No | No |
| General | ||
| Price (MSRP) | $699 | $1,997 |
| Body Material | − | Magnesium Alloy |
| Dimensions | 130.4×93.5×77.4 mm | 138.5×98.1×87.4 mm |
| Weight | 530g (1.17 lb) | 727g (1.60 lb) |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| In-Body Stabilization | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life (EVF) | − | 360 shots |
| Battery Life (LCD) | − | 400 shots |
| Battery Type | − | DMW-BLK22 |
