Nikon
Z6 III
First partially stacked full-frame sensor with 6K N-RAW internal video.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased Jun 2024
Panasonic
Lumix S5 IIX
Video-first full-frame body with internal ProRes and phase-detect AF.
$2,199
Launch priceReleased May 2023
Z6 III is 1.1 years newer.
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Wins
Z6 III
Wins
Lumix S5 IIX
3 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AZ6 III has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 200 frames)
- AZ6 III has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- BLumix S5 IIX has higher Max video bit rate (800 Mbps vs 250 Mbps)
- BLumix S5 IIX has higher AF points / zones (779 vs 299)
- AZ6 III has higher Burst (mechanical) (20 fps vs 9 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
Z6 III
139 × 102 × 74 mm
760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Lumix S5 IIX
134 × 102 × 90 mm
740 g (1.63 lb / 26.10 oz)
Z6 III is 1mm shorter and 16mm thinner than Lumix S5 IIX but it is also 4mm wider.
Z6 III is 20 g heavier than Lumix S5 IIX.
Depth (front-to-back): 74mm Z6 III · 90mm Lumix S5 IIX
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Z6 III
139 × 102 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Lumix S5 IIX
134 × 102 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Z6 III
139 × 74 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Lumix S5 IIX
134 × 90 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Z6 III
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lumix S5 IIX
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Z6 III
✓ more lensesNikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Lumix S5 IIX: 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
The verdict
The $300 price gap separates the Nikon Z6 III's partially stacked sensor from the Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX's more affordable, full frame CMOS sensor.
Choose the Nikon Z6 III if you require precision in dark environments, as it features an autofocus system sensitive down to -10 EV. This capability provides a technical advantage for professionals working in low-light conditions.
Choose the Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX if you prioritize battery endurance, as it delivers 480 shots per charge compared to the Nikon's 380. This makes it a practical choice for extended shooting sessions without frequent power changes.
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
Z6 III
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -6 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138.5, 101.5, 74
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B, XQD, SD…
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 200 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds ProRes RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, Raw
Burst (mechanical)
20 fps vs 9 fps — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Lumix S5 IIX
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Face, Eye…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134.3, 102.3, 90.1
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II, SD UHS-II, USB-SSD
Max video bit rate
800 Mbps vs 250 Mbps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds Apple ProRes 422 HQ, Apple ProRes 422, MOV…
AF points / zones
779 vs 299 — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
370 shots vs 360 shots — higher is better
Weight
740 g vs 760 g — lower is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Internal RAW video — Both support internal raw video
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Z6 III
Pros
- ✓Partially stacked CMOS reduces rolling shutter
- ✓6K N-RAW 60p internal — true filmmaking capability
- ✓5.76M dot EVF — best-in-class resolution
- ✓14fps mechanical burst
Cons
- –EN-EL15c battery life only 380 CIPA shots
- –Smaller lens ecosystem vs. Canon RF
Lumix S5 IIX
Pros
- ✓Internal Apple ProRes 422 HQ recording
- ✓First Lumix with phase-detect AF
- ✓6K open gate video (3:2 full-sensor)
- ✓4K 120p slow-motion
Cons
- –24.2MP limits still resolution vs. A7 IV
- –AF still trails Canon/Sony in tracking speed
- –Large body for 24MP
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Z6 III and Lumix S5 IIX at major authorized retailers.
Nikon Z6 III
Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for vlogging, Z6 III or Lumix S5 IIX?
Lumix S5 IIX scores 8.0/10 versus 5.5/10 for Z6 III — Fully articulating screen — see yourself while filming.
What's the resolution difference between the Z6 III and Lumix S5 IIX?
Z6 III is 24.5 MP and Lumix S5 IIX is 24.2 MP, so the Z6 III captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Z6 III and Lumix S5 IIX have in-body image stabilization?
Z6 III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while Lumix S5 IIX has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Z6 III or the Lumix S5 IIX?
Z6 III reaches 120 fps electronic. Lumix S5 IIX reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Z6 III and Lumix S5 IIX?
Z6 III weighs 760 g and Lumix S5 IIX weighs 740 g, so the Lumix S5 IIX is 20 g lighter.
Do the Z6 III and Lumix S5 IIX record 4K video?
Z6 III: 4K up to 120p. Lumix S5 IIX: 6K Open Gate (max), 4K up to 60p.
Are the Z6 III and Lumix S5 IIX weather sealed?
Z6 III: Yes. Lumix S5 IIX: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 360 shots (CIPA) for the Z6 III and 370 shots for the Lumix S5 IIX, giving the Lumix S5 IIX the edge.
How much does each cost?
Z6 III launched at $2,499 and Lumix S5 IIX at $2,199. The Lumix S5 IIX is $300 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Z6 III vs Lumix S5 IIX vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon and Panasonic press materials.