Panasonic Lumix DMC G5 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC GF5 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16.05 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC G5
47
WINNER
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Panasonic · Mirrorless · 12.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC GF5
45
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DMC G5 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC GF5 are 2012 mirrorless cameras built around the Micro Four Thirds system. The G5 pairs its larger 120 x 83 x 71 mm body with an electronic viewfinder for eye-level shooting. The slimmer GF5 measures 108 x 67 x 37 mm and frames shots on its rear screen. Both accept the same Micro 4/3 lenses, so glass you already own transfers between them. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2012 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
July 18, 2012 | April 5, 2012 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 120 x 83 x 71 mm | 108 x 67 x 37 mm |
| Camera weight | 396 g | 267 g |
| Optics | 46/100 | 44/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe G5 is the stronger choice for cropping and for moving subjects. Its 16.05 megapixel sensor offers more pixels than the GF5's 12.1 megapixel chip for tighter crops and larger prints, and its 6 fps burst captures more frames of a fleeting moment than the GF5's 4 fps. The built-in electronic viewfinder also lets you shoot at eye level in bright light, something the GF5 cannot do. One optics difference favours the GF5: it offers in-body stabilisation for steadier handheld shots with unstabilised lenses, while the G5 depends on stabilised optics. Both share 23 autofocus points, a 1/4000 second maximum shutter and a native ISO range starting at 160. The G5 reaches a 12800 ISO standard ceiling where the GF5 stops at 6400 ISO, though both extend to 12800 ISO. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.05 MP050 | 12.1 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 | 4000 x 3000 |
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 | 4 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 FHD |
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 | 64003003280000 |
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 | 128003003280000 |
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. |
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. |
No |  Yes |
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 | None |
| Viewfinder dots | 144000009900000 | N/A |
| Video | 56/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe G5 is the better camera for video of fast movement. Its maximum video frame rate reaches 60 fps against 30 fps on the GF5, so motion plays back more smoothly and 60 fps clips slow to half speed on a 30 fps timeline. The two cameras share the same Full HD maximum video resolution, and both record AVCHD and MP4 files. | ||
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 | 30 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 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe G5's articulating screen tilts for waist-level macros or overhead crowd shots that the GF5's fixed screen cannot frame. The G5 also supports external flash guns for bounced indoor lighting, while the GF5 offers only its built-in flash. Their rear displays are the same 3-inch, 920,000-dot, touch-sensitive TFT LCD, so you can place focus by tapping the screen. Neither camera offers GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or weather sealing, so neither tags locations or transfers files wirelessly. | ||
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 | No |
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 | TFT 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 | 9200001150001500000 |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 BatteryThe two cameras take the same single SD, SDHC or SDXC card, and neither charges over USB. The batteries differ in type and rating. The GF5's DMW-BLE9E pack is rated for 360 shots against 320 shots for the G5's DMW-BLC12, a 12.5 percent advantage in that rating, and the two packs are not interchangeable. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | DMW-BLC12 | DMW-BLE9E |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
320 shots1505000 | 360 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the G5 if photography goes beyond snapshots. Its electronic viewfinder, 16.05 megapixel sensor, 6 fps burst, 60 fps video, articulating screen and external flash support travel portraits, children's sports and indoor events.
Pick the GF5 when pocketability rules. It weighs 267 g against the G5's 396 g, and its in-body stabilisation steadies handheld stills with unstabilised lenses. Its battery is also rated for 360 shots against 320 for the G5.