Panasonic Lumix DC-GX800 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-GX800
51
WINNER
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Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5
48
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 is the more compact carry, measuring 99 x 60 x 36 mm and weighing 211 g against 269 g for the Panasonic Lumix DC-GX800. Both are Micro Four Thirds mirrorless bodies, so any Micro 4/3 lens you own fits either camera. The GX800 arrived in 2017, three years after the GM5, in a slightly larger body. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2017 | 2014 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 4, 2017 | September 15, 2014 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 107 x 65 x 33 mm | 99 x 60 x 36 mm |
| Camera weight | 269 g | 211 g |
| Optics | 53/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe GX800 is the stronger choice for photographing moving subjects, shooting at up to 10 fps against 5.8 fps on the GM5. Its 49 autofocus points against 23 give more positions for a subject that will not stay centred. For a running dog or a party, its burst captures more frames of the action. The GM5's counter is a built in electronic viewfinder of 1,166,000 dots, which the GX800 omits, so eye level framing in bright light comes only with the GM5. Both use a 16 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor, and neither offers in body stabilisation, so a stabilised lens helps on both. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16 MP050 | 16 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4592 x 3448 | 4592 x 3448 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13 x 17.3 | 13 x 17.3 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
10 fps045 | 5.8 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Venus Engine | Venus Engine |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
20030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
1600080032000 | 1600080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
490300 | 230300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 116600009900000 |
| Video | 70/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor editing your footage, the GX800 is the better pick, because it records 4K video while the GM5 tops out at Full HD. The extra resolution leaves room to crop a wide clip or lift a usable still frame from a birthday moment. The GM5 earns its place with smoother motion, recording at up to 60 fps, twice the GX800's 30 fps, for fast action you want to slow on playback. Both record in AVCHD and MP4, and both offer a built in timelapse mode. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K |  Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
AVCHD, MP4 | MP4, AVCHD |
| Features | 57/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesSelf portraits and vlogging are easier on the GX800, with a flip screen you can angle toward your subject; the GM5's screen is fixed. It also has a built in flash for backlit portraits, while the GM5 supports an external flash instead. Both share a 3 inch touch LCD, live view and WiFi for sending photos to a phone, and both lack GPS, Bluetooth and weather sealing. The GX800's display is the sharper one for checking focus, at 1,040,000 dots against 921,000. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | No |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
No |  Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | No |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 13/100 | 13/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe GM5 rates slightly higher under its rated conditions, at 220 shots against 210, a difference of ten frames. Both use the same DMW-BLH7 battery, so one spare serves either body, and neither supports USB charging. If you already own full size SD cards, the GM5 takes them directly, while the GX800 takes microSD instead. Both have a single card slot, so there is no in camera backup on either. | ||
| Memory card | microSD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | DMW-BLH7 | DMW-BLH7 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
210 shots1505000 | 220 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the GX800 if video or people pictures drive the purchase. Its 4K recording, flip screen and built in flash suit vlogging, self portraits and casual clips, and its 10 fps burst with 49 AF points is better for kids and pets in motion.
Choose the GM5 for the smallest, lightest kit with eye level shooting. Its electronic viewfinder lets you frame at eye level in bright daylight. For 60 fps slow motion, standard SD cards and a small external flash, it is the one to pick.