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Panasonic LUMIX S1IIvsNikon Z5II: Which to Buy
Both are 2025 full-frame mirrorless bodies with in-body stabilization, dual card slots and weather sealing, so the choice comes down to two things. The Panasonic LUMIX S1II is the video and speed tool; the Nikon Z5II is the lighter, far cheaper stills body with a brighter viewfinder.
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- MOST WINS
PanasonicBest for Hybrid shooters and videographers who need 6K, high frame rates and fast bursts
10of 19 specs better - Nikon
Best for Stills-focused buyers who want full-frame quality and a lighter kit for less money
9of 19 specs better
Biggest differences
Continuous shooting (electronic)
Panasonic LUMIX S1II leads
2.33×
higher is better
- Panasonic LUMIX S1II70 fps
- Nikon Z5II30 fps
Launch price
Nikon Z5II leads
−47%
lower is better
- Panasonic LUMIX S1II3,199 USD
- Nikon Z5II1,696.95 USD
Viewfinder resolution
Panasonic LUMIX S1II leads
+56%
higher is better
- Panasonic LUMIX S1II5.76 M dots
- Nikon Z5II3.69 M dots
4K max frame rate
Panasonic LUMIX S1II leads
2×
higher is better
- Panasonic LUMIX S1II120 fps
- Nikon Z5II60 fps
Where each one wins
Panasonic LUMIX S1II
- In-body image stabilization
- Continuous shooting (mechanical)
- Continuous shooting (electronic)
- Max video resolution
- 4K max frame rate
- 4K max frame rate (full width)
- Viewfinder resolution
- Battery life
- Minimum operating temperature
- HDMI port type
Nikon Z5II
- Launch price
- Effective pixels
- Native ISO maximum
- Viewfinder magnification
- Screen size
- Rear screen resolution
- Weight
- Height
- Depth
What both have
- High resolution pixel-shift mode✓
- Sensor formatFull-frame
- Sensor typePartially-stacked CMOS
- Max mechanical shutter speed8,000 1/s
- Raw video recordingInternal
- Video bit depth10 bit
- Log profile support✓
- Screen articulationFully articulated
- Memory card slots2 slots
- Weather sealingDust and drip resistant
- Width134 mm
- USB charging & power delivery✓
- Headphone port✓
Every spec
Red marks the better value in each row.
| Spec | Panasonic LUMIX S1II | Nikon Z5II |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Release date | 2025-05 | 2025-04 |
| Launch price | 3,199 USD | 1,696.95 USD |
| Lens mount | L-Mount | Nikon Z |
| High resolution pixel-shift mode | Yes1 | Yes2 |
| Sensor & Image | ||
| Effective pixels | 24.1 MP | 24.5 MP |
| Sensor format | Full-frame | Full-frame |
| Native ISO maximum | 51,200 ISO | 64,000 ISO |
| In-body image stabilization | 8 stops | 7.5 stops |
| Sensor readout speed | 14.6 ms3 | Not published |
| Sensor type | Partially-stacked CMOS | Partially-stacked CMOS |
| Aspect ratios | 3:2, 4:3, 1:1, 16:9, 2:1, 65:24 | — |
| Lens & Autofocus | ||
| Continuous shooting (mechanical) | 10 fps | 7.8 fps |
| Continuous shooting (electronic) | 70 fps | 30 fps |
| Max mechanical shutter speed | 8,000 1/s | 8,000 1/s |
| Pre-burst capture duration | 1.5 s | Not published |
| AF subject detection | Human, animal, car, train, airplane, motorcycle | Human, animal, bird, car, train, airplane, motorcycle |
| Video | ||
| Max video resolution | 6K | 4K |
| 4K max frame rate | 120 fps4 | 60 fps |
| Video codecs | H.264, HEVC, ProRes 422, ProRes RAW | H.264, HEVC, N-RAW |
| 4K max frame rate (full width) | 60 fps5 | 30 fps |
| Raw video recording | Internal | Internal |
| Video bit depth | 10 bit | 10 bit |
| Log profile support | Yes | Yes |
| Video dynamic range (log) | 15 stops | Not published |
| Viewfinder & Screen | ||
| Viewfinder resolution | 5.76 M dots | 3.69 M dots |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.78 x | 0.8 x |
| Screen size | 3 in | 3.2 in |
| Screen articulation | Fully articulated | Fully articulated |
| Rear screen resolution | 1.84 M dots | 2.1 M dots |
| Handling & Power | ||
| Battery life | 360 shots | 350 shots |
| Memory card slots | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Weather sealing | Dust and drip resistant | Dust and drip resistant |
| Weight | 800 g | 700 g |
| Width | 134 mm | 134 mm |
| Height | 102 mm | 100.5 mm |
| Depth | 92 mm | 72 mm |
| USB charging & power delivery | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum operating temperature | -10 °C | 0 °C |
| Headphone port | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI port type | Full-size | Micro |
Notes on 5 values — test conditions and caveats
- 1Panasonic LUMIX S1II, High resolution pixel-shift mode: The full 96MP composite needs a tripod; handheld shooting caps at 48MP.
- 2Nikon Z5II, High resolution pixel-shift mode: Pixel-shift composite raises resolution to 96MP, but images must be combined in NX Studio on a computer.
- 3Panasonic LUMIX S1II, Sensor readout speed: Measured by DPReview using the electronic shutter in 14-bit stills mode.
- 4Panasonic LUMIX S1II, 4K max frame rate: Maximum 120 fps in 4K requires recording in MOV format at a 24.00Hz system frequency.
- 5Panasonic LUMIX S1II, 4K max frame rate (full width): 4K at 120fps requires an approximate 1.24x sensor crop; 60fps is the fastest at full sensor width.
Video
The Panasonic LUMIX S1II shoots 6K and reaches 120 fps in 4K, though that top rate needs MOV format at a 24.00Hz system frequency and an approximate 1.24x sensor crop. At full sensor width the ceiling is 60 fps, still double the Nikon Z5II's 30 fps. For anyone shooting slow motion or delivering 6K, the S1II is the only option here.
The S1II also records ProRes 422 and ProRes RAW internally, against H.264, HEVC and N-RAW on the Nikon. ProRes is the easier codec to hand straight to an editor without transcoding. Both give 10-bit depth and log profiles, so the Panasonic's advantage is resolution, frame rate and workflow rather than color depth.
Stills speed and autofocus
The S1II fires at 10 fps mechanically and 70 fps electronically, against 7.8 fps and 30 fps for the Z5II. That gap matters most for birds, sport and any subject that moves unpredictably. The Panasonic also holds the shutter button's pre-burst window for 1.5 seconds, so you can catch the moment before you pressed it, and it measured 14.6 ms sensor readout in 14-bit electronic stills, which means less rolling-shutter skew on fast action.
Subject detection is close. Both recognize humans, animals, cars, trains, airplanes and motorcycles; the Nikon adds birds. If birds are your priority, that single addition may outweigh the Panasonic's speed advantage.
Size, weight and battery
The Nikon Z5II is the smaller, lighter camera at 700 g against 800 g, and much of that comes from depth: 72 mm versus 92 mm. It will pack into a smaller bag and hang on a strap for a longer day without complaint. Both take two memory cards and both charge and run over USB.
Battery life is effectively a draw, with the S1II rated at 360 shots and the Z5II at 350. The Panasonic's real handling advantage is different: its viewfinder packs 5.76 M dots against 3.69 M dots, a noticeably finer image for manual focus. The Nikon counters with a slightly larger rear screen and marginally higher magnification at the eyepiece. The S1II also keeps working down to -10 °C where the Z5II is rated to 0 °C, which matters for winter shooting.
Price and value
This is the widest gap between the two. The Nikon Z5II launched at $1,696.95, roughly half the Panasonic LUMIX S1II's $3,199. The Z5II also edges ahead on pixel count and native ISO maximum, and it is the lighter body.
That leaves a simple trade. The S1II buys you 6K, 120 fps 4K, faster burst rates, a sharper viewfinder, full-size HDMI and ProRes. The Z5II buys you a complete full-frame system, and enough budget left for a lens or two, for about half the outlay. Neither is the wrong answer; they just serve different budgets and different jobs.
The Verdict
Buy the Panasonic LUMIX S1II if video resolution, slow motion, burst speed or a finer viewfinder decide your work. Buy the Nikon Z5II if you shoot mostly stills and want full-frame quality at half the price in a lighter body. Choose the S1II for paid video and action. Choose the Z5II for travel, portraits and everyday stills.
Where to buy
Panasonic LUMIX S1II
Best for Hybrid shooters and videographers who need 6K, high frame rates and fast bursts
Nikon Z5II
Best for Stills-focused buyers who want full-frame quality and a lighter kit for less money
FAQ
Is the Panasonic LUMIX S1II worth double the price of the Nikon Z5II?
Only if you shoot video or fast action. The S1II's 6K, 120 fps 4K and 70 fps electronic burst are features the Z5II cannot match, but for everyday stills the Z5II delivers comparable image quality for far less.
Can the Nikon Z5II shoot 6K video?
No. Its maximum video resolution is 4K, topping out at 60 fps, versus 6K on the S1II.
Which camera has better stabilization?
The Panasonic LUMIX S1II, at 8 stops of in-body stabilization against 7.5 stops on the Nikon Z5II. The difference is small but favors the Panasonic for handheld work.
Do both cameras offer a high-resolution pixel-shift mode?
Yes, but the workflow differs. The S1II can shoot some composited frames handheld and caps at 48MP without a tripod, while the Z5II's 96MP composites must be combined in NX Studio on a computer.
Can I use the same lenses on both cameras?
No. The Panasonic LUMIX S1II uses the L-Mount and the Nikon Z5II uses the Nikon Z mount, so lenses are not interchangeable between them.
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