Nikon
Z8
Z9 internals in a compact body — 45.7MP stacked sensor, 8K 60p, no blackout burst.
$3,999
Released May 2023
Panasonic
Lumix S5 IIX
Video-first full-frame body with internal ProRes and phase-detect AF.
$2,199
Released May 2023
Released within a month of each other.
Wins
Z8
Wins
Lumix S5 IIX
1 categories tied
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TL;DR — Key differences
- BLumix S5 IIX has higher Burst (mechanical) (9 fps vs 0 fps)
- AZ8 has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 200 frames)
- AZ8 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- BLumix S5 IIX has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
- AZ8 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Z8
144 × 119 × 83 mm
820 g (1.81 lb / 28.92 oz)
Lumix S5 IIX
134 × 102 × 90 mm
740 g (1.63 lb / 26.10 oz)
Z8 is 7mm thinner than Lumix S5 IIX but it is also 10mm wider and 16mm taller.
Z8 is 80 g heavier than Lumix S5 IIX.
Depth (front-to-back): 83mm Z8 · 90mm Lumix S5 IIX
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Z8
144 × 119 mm
Lumix S5 IIX
134 × 102 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Z8
144 × 83 mm
Lumix S5 IIX
134 × 90 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Z8
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
Z8
✓ 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 $1,800 price gap between these cameras centers on the Nikon Z8's 45.7MP stacked sensor versus the Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX's 24.2MP CMOS.
Choose the Nikon Z8 if you require high resolution and speed for wildlife or aviation, as it features 8K video and subject recognition for airplanes. Its autofocus system remains effective in extreme low light down to -10 EV.
Choose the Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX if you prioritize handheld stability, utilizing its 6.5-stop in-body image stabilization. This model also offers longer field use with a 480-shot CIPA battery rating compared to the Nikon's 340 shots.
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
Z8
AF low-light limit
-9 EV vs -6 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 144, 118.5, 83
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 200 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only Z8 supports it
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Lumix S5 IIX
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Face, Eye…
Burst (mechanical)
9 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds Apple ProRes 422 HQ, Apple ProRes 422, H.265…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134.3, 102.3, 90.1
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
AF points / zones
779 vs 493 — higher is better
Card types
Adds USB-SSD
Weight
740 g vs 820 g — lower is better
Both cameras share
- ✓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 — Both support in-body stabilization
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Card slots — Both 2
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Z8
Pros
- ✓45.7MP stacked CMOS from Z9 — class-leading
- ✓8K 60p N-RAW internal
- ✓No mechanical shutter wear — fully electronic
- ✓20fps at full 45.7MP resolution
Cons
- –EN-EL15c battery life only 340 CIPA shots
- –No built-in grip (unlike Z9)
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 Z8 and Lumix S5 IIX at major authorized retailers.
Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, Z8 or Lumix S5 IIX?
Z8 scores 9.5/10 versus 7.0/10 for Lumix S5 IIX — 45.7MP — excellent for prints up to 24×36".
What's the resolution difference between the Z8 and Lumix S5 IIX?
Z8 is 45.7 MP and Lumix S5 IIX is 24.2 MP, so the Z8 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Z8 and Lumix S5 IIX have in-body image stabilization?
Z8 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while lumix S5 IIX has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Z8 or the Lumix S5 IIX?
Z8 reaches 120 fps electronic. Lumix S5 IIX reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Z8 and Lumix S5 IIX?
Z8 weighs 820 g and Lumix S5 IIX weighs 740 g, so the Lumix S5 IIX is 80 g lighter.
Do the Z8 and Lumix S5 IIX record 4K video?
Z8: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p. Lumix S5 IIX: 6K Open Gate (max), 4K up to 60p.
Are the Z8 and Lumix S5 IIX weather sealed?
Z8: Yes. Lumix S5 IIX: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 340 shots (CIPA) for the Z8 and 370 shots for the Lumix S5 IIX, giving the Lumix S5 IIX the edge.
How much does each cost?
Z8 launched at $3,999 and Lumix S5 IIX at $2,199. The Lumix S5 IIX is $1,800 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon and Panasonic press materials.