Panasonic Lumix DMC G5 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16.05 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC G5
47
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6
45
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DMC G5 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6 are both Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras for different shooting styles. The G5, from 2012, is the larger body at 120 x 83 x 71 mm and 396 g. The GF6, from 2013, is more compact at 111 x 65 x 38 mm and 73 g lighter at 323 g, easier to slip into a small bag. | ||
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 9, 2013 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 120 x 83 x 71 mm | 111 x 65 x 38 mm |
| Camera weight | 396 g | 323 g |
| Optics | 46/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe G5 is the stronger choice for photographing moving subjects such as children, pets or sports. It shoots at 6 fps against 4.2 fps on the GF6, and offers 23 autofocus points where the GF6 has one, giving far more freedom to place the focus area off-centre. It also has a built-in electronic viewfinder, which the GF6 lacks entirely, so the G5 can be framed at eye level. The GF6 answers with a shorter maximum exposure of 1/16000 second against 1/4000 on the G5, keeping wide apertures usable in strong daylight. It also reaches an expanded ISO of 25600, beyond the G5's 12800. Resolution is nearly the same at 16.05 MP against 16 MP, and both use CMOS Micro Four Thirds sensors and the Micro 4/3 mount, so the same native lenses fit either body. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.05 MP050 | 16 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 | 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. |
6 fps045 | 4.2 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 | 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 | 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 | 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. |
230300 | 10300 |
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 | None |
| Viewfinder dots | 144000009900000 | N/A |
| Video | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor everyday video there is no choosing between them, because both record Full HD at up to 60 fps in AVCHD and MP4. Sixty frames per second keeps motion smooth in family clips. Neither includes a built-in timelapse mode, so interval sequences need external triggering. | ||
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 | MP4, AVCHD |
| Features | 54/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe GF6 is the better-connected camera for sharing on the move, because it has built-in Wi-Fi and the G5 does not. You can send photos straight from the GF6 to a phone or tablet for quick posting. Its rear screen is also sharper, with 1040000 dots against 920000 on the G5, which helps when checking focus on a detailed shot. Both cameras match on the controls that matter most for everyday framing. Each has a 3-inch tilting, touch-responsive TFT LCD, plus live view, a built-in flash and external flash support. Neither includes GPS or weather sealing, so there is no built-in geotagging on either body. | ||
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 | 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 | 10400001150001500000 |
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 BatteryThe same memory card works in either camera, since both take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot. The GF6's battery rating is slightly higher at 340 shots against 320 for the G5, under their respective test conditions. The batteries differ, using the DMW-BLG10E in the GF6 and the DMW-BLC12 in the G5, so spares are not interchangeable. Neither camera charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | DMW-BLC12 | DMW-BLG10E |
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
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC G5 if you mainly shoot moving subjects or prefer eye-level framing. Its 6 fps burst, 23 autofocus points and electronic viewfinder make it the body for photographing a football match or a running dog.
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6 if portability and wireless sharing lead your priorities. It is 73 g lighter and slimmer, offers Wi-Fi for sending photos to your phone, and adds a 1/16000 second maximum exposure plus an expanded ISO of 25600. For travel, street photography and social sharing, the GF6 is the more convenient companion.