Panasonic Lumix DMC G5 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16.05 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC G5
47
SCORE
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Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16.05 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6
48
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 is the newer camera, released in 2013 a year after the Panasonic Lumix DMC G5, and both are mirrorless bodies. The measurements barely differ: the G6 is 122 x 85 x 71 mm and 390 g, against 120 x 83 x 71 mm and 396 g for the G5. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
July 18, 2012 | April 24, 2013 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 120 x 83 x 71 mm | 122 x 85 x 71 mm |
| Camera weight | 396 g | 390 g |
| Optics | 46/100 | 47/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe G6 is the better pick for moving subjects, shooting at 7 fps against 6 fps on the G5. That extra frame each second helps with children, pets or fleeting expressions. The G6 also reaches an expanded ISO 25600 setting against the G5's expanded limit of 12800, useful for forcing a shutter speed in very dim scenes. The shared Micro 4/3 mount means any native lens you own fits either camera. The core stills output matches: both record 16.05 megapixel images on Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensors, with standard ISO from 160 to 12800. Both offer 23 autofocus points and a 1/4000 second maximum shutter. The electronic viewfinders match at 1440000 dots. Neither offers in-body stabilisation, so steady handheld work depends on the lens. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.05 MP050 | 16.05 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
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. |
6 fps045 | 7 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 VII FHD | Venus Engine IX |
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. |
16030200 | 16030200 |
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. |
128003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
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. |
16030200 | 16030200 |
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. |
128003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 12044080 |
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. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
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. |
230300 | 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. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 144000009900000 | 144000009900000 |
| Video | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoBoth cameras reach a 60 fps maximum frame rate, enough for half-speed slow motion on a 30 fps timeline, and both cap recording at Full HD resolution. Neither includes built-in timelapse, so interval work needs an external trigger. The G6 has the edge for casual sharing: its MP4 clips carry two-channel AAC audio, alongside AVCHD. For short clips shared without editing, that makes it the practical pick. | ||
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. |
 Full HD | 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. |
1920 x 1080 | 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. |
60 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 | AVCHD MP4 (Audio format AAC 2ch) |
| Features | 54/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWi-Fi is the working advantage for the G6. It supports wireless transfer to a phone or tablet, so you can send photos without pulling the card, while the G5 has no Wi-Fi. For sharing images on the move, this makes the G6 the easier camera to live with. Both rear screens are 3-inch touch displays that flip out, so waist-level and overhead framing work on either body. The G6's panel is finer at 1036000 dots against 920000 on the G5, making playback checking crisper. Neither camera has GPS or weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
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. |
 Yes | 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 | TFT 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. |
9200001150001500000 | 10360001150001500000 |
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 | Yes |
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. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryCards and batteries carry across between bodies: both take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, use the same DMW-BLC12 battery, and neither charges over USB. The G6's battery is rated at 340 shots per charge against 320 shots for the G5, a small edge on longer outings. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | DMW-BLC12 | DMW-BLC12 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
320 shots1505000 | 340 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 is the better buy for most photographers choosing between these two. Wi-Fi sharing, a 7 fps burst for moving subjects, an expanded ISO 25600 option for dim interiors and a finer rear screen all arrive in the newer body. Anyone photographing an active toddler or posting holiday photos from a phone benefits directly.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC G5 still covers the fundamentals when those additions do not apply. If you move images by card reader and shoot static subjects in good light, its 16.05 megapixel resolution, Micro 4/3 mount and Full HD video deliver the same core output.