Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1
48
SCORE
|
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-GM1 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 are Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras built around an ultra-compact body you can take anywhere. The GM1 arrived in 2013 and the GM5 followed in 2014. Both share the same camera type and the same lens mount, so your choice comes down to a handful of practical differences rather than the system itself. The measurements differ slightly. The GM5 measures 99 x 60 x 36 mm and weighs 211 g, while the GM1 is slimmer at 99 x 55 x 30 mm and 7 g lighter, the marginally tighter fit for a jacket pocket. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2013 | 2014 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 17, 2013 | September 15, 2014 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 99 x 55 x 30 mm | 99 x 60 x 36 mm |
| Camera weight | 204 g | 211 g |
| Optics | 48/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe GM5 is the stronger choice for eye-level shooting, because it offers a built-in electronic viewfinder with 1166000 dots while the GM1 has no viewfinder at all. On the GM1 you compose every shot on the rear screen. The GM5 also shoots at 5.8 fps against 5 fps on the GM1, a modest edge for a short burst of a moving subject. The GM5's expanded ISO range reaches down to ISO 100, against ISO 125 on the GM1, allowing slightly longer exposures in bright light. Both produce 16 MP images on the Micro Four Thirds sensor format, with 23 autofocus points and a 1/16000 second maximum shutter speed. | ||
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. |
5 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. |
12530200 | 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. |
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. |
None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 116600009900000 |
| Video | 70/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoBoth cameras can slow fast motion to half speed on a 30 fps timeline, since each offers a 60 fps ceiling. Each records at up to Full HD resolution, and both include a built-in timelapse function, so sunset or cloud sequences need no intervalometer. | ||
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. |
 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. |
MP4, AVCHD | MP4, AVCHD |
| Features | 57/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe GM1 is the readier choice when you need light on demand. It has a built-in flash, while the GM5 has none and supports an external flash instead. For indoor snapshots or fill light on a face, the GM1 works without carrying anything extra. The GM1's rear screen is also the better one for reviewing detail, with 1036000 dots against 921000 on the GM5. Both cameras use a 3-inch touch LCD and offer Wi-Fi for sending images to a phone. Neither has GPS, weather sealing or a tilting screen. | ||
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. |
10360001150001500000 | 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 BatteryStorage and charging follow the same arrangement on both. Each takes a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card, with no second slot, and neither charges over USB. Both run on the same DMW-BLH7 battery, so one spare fits either body. The rated life differs slightly, at 230 shots for the GM1 against 220 for the GM5. | ||
| Memory card | SD / 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. |
230 shots1505000 | 220 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The GM5 is the better choice for most photographers because its electronic viewfinder lets you compose at eye level instead of on the rear screen. Choose it for street or travel photography, where the viewfinder, the faster 5.8 fps burst and external flash support all matter.
Pick the GM1 when an always-ready built-in flash matters more for indoor snapshots or fill light. Its rear screen also shows more detail when reviewing shots. Both share the same 16 MP resolution and battery, so either is a highly portable everyday camera.