Nikon
D780
Last great Nikon DSLR — Z6 sensor with DSLR ergonomics and hybrid live view AF.
$2,299
Launch priceReleased Jan 2020
Panasonic
Lumix S5
Compact affordable L-mount full-frame for hybrid shooters.
$1,799
Launch priceReleased Sep 2020
Lumix S5 is 8 months newer.
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Wins
D780
Wins
Lumix S5
4 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BLumix S5 has higher IBIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
- AD780 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (2260 shots vs 470 shots)
- BLumix S5 has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 30 fps)
- AD780 has higher Burst (electronic) (12 fps vs 7 fps)
- BLumix S5 has higher 1080p max frame rate (180 fps vs 120 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareD780
144 × 116 × 76 mm
755 g (1.66 lb / 26.63 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Lumix S5
133 × 97 × 82 mm
714 g (1.57 lb / 25.19 oz)
D780 is 6mm thinner than Lumix S5 but it is also 11mm wider and 18mm taller.
D780 is 41 g heavier than Lumix S5.
Depth (front-to-back): 76mm D780 · 82mm Lumix S5
Sensor size, to scale
D780
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lumix S5
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D780
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
Lumix S5: mount data unavailable
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
D780
Subject recognition
Adds People, Dogs, Cats
Codecs
Adds H.264/AVC
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 143.5, 115.5, 76
Battery life (CIPA)
2260 shots vs 470 shots — higher is better
AA filter
Only D780 supports it
Burst (electronic)
12 fps vs 7 fps — higher is better
AF points / zones
273 vs 225 — higher is better
Resolution
24.5 MP vs 24.2 MP — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Lumix S5
AF low-light limit
-6 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Face, Eye…
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264, MOV…
IBIS effectiveness
5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 132.6, 97.1, 81.9
4K max frame rate
60 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only Lumix S5 supports it
In-body stabilization (IBIS)
Only Lumix S5 supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 51,200
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Burst (mechanical) — Both 7 fps
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
D780
Pros
- ✓Z6 sensor in DSLR
- ✓Dual card slots
- ✓4K video
- ✓OVF + EVF hybrid
Cons
- –DSLR end of era
- –Heavy
- –Limited future lenses
Lumix S5
Pros
- ✓Compact FF
- ✓Dual slots
- ✓Good video
Cons
- –DFD AF only
- –Older now
- –24MP
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D780 and Lumix S5 at major authorized retailers.
Nikon D780
Panasonic Lumix S5
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for vlogging, D780 or Lumix S5?
Lumix S5 scores 8.0/10 versus 3.0/10 for D780 — Fully articulating screen — see yourself while filming.
What's the resolution difference between the D780 and Lumix S5?
D780 is 24.5 MP and Lumix S5 is 24.2 MP, so the D780 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D780 and Lumix S5 have in-body image stabilization?
D780 does not have IBIS, while Lumix S5 has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D780 or the Lumix S5?
D780 reaches 12 fps electronic. Lumix S5 reaches 7 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D780 and Lumix S5?
D780 weighs 755 g and Lumix S5 weighs 714 g, so the Lumix S5 is 41 g lighter.
Do the D780 and Lumix S5 record 4K video?
D780: 4K up to 30p. Lumix S5: 6K (max), 4K up to 60p.
Are the D780 and Lumix S5 weather sealed?
D780: Yes. Lumix S5: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 2,260 shots (CIPA) for the D780 and 470 shots for the Lumix S5, giving the D780 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D780 launched at $2,299 and Lumix S5 at $1,799. The Lumix S5 is $500 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D780 vs Lumix S5 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.