Panasonic Lumix DMC G5

The Lumix DMC G5 is a mirrorless camera from 2012 built around the Micro Four Thirds mount. Its compact body makes it a comfortable tool for everyday photography, family events and travel.

At 396g, it is light enough to carry for a full day without noticing it. Framing works two ways: at eye level through an electronic viewfinder, or on a three-inch touchscreen.

As a compact interchangeable-lens body, it suits anyone who wants an eye-level viewfinder without carrying a large kit.

The G5's Optics score of 46 is modest, and it sits in the bottom 18% of cameras in our database for Optics. The 16.05-megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor produces files with enough detail for prints and everyday sharing.

Shooting pace reaches six frames per second, which is enough to catch a short sequence of a moving subject. Autofocus uses 23 points, and the Venus Engine VII FHD handles image processing.

There is no in-body stabilisation, so steadiness depends on your technique, the lens in use, or a support such as a tripod. The 1/4000s maximum shutter speed gives you room to freeze motion or keep apertures wide in daylight.

Sensitivity runs from ISO 160 to 12800, a broad span for varied lighting. Composition through the 1,440,000-dot electronic viewfinder gives a clear, eye-level view of the scene.

Video tops out at Full HD resolution, recorded in either AVCHD or MP4. The Video score of 56 is modest, and the Full HD ceiling is part of the reason.

The fastest frame rate offered is 60fps, which produces smooth motion and gives you footage you can slow down in editing for effect. Combined with the flip-out screen, casual filming of family moments is well served.

There is no built-in timelapse mode. If you want interval sequences, you will need to shoot the frames yourself and combine them in software afterwards.

Having both AVCHD and MP4 available means you can pick the file type that suits your editing or sharing setup before you start recording.

Handling centres on a three-inch, 920,000-dot touchscreen that flips out. That combination makes waist-level and overhead shots practical to frame, and live view keeps the screen showing the scene as the camera sees it.

Light options are covered at both ends. The built-in flash handles quick indoor snapshots, and support for an external flash lets you add stronger light for portraits and interiors.

The features score of 54 is modest. Missing are Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS, so there is no built-in wireless transfer and no GPS-based location tagging.

The body also has no weather sealing, so it is one to keep in the bag when conditions turn wet or dusty.

A single slot takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards. With no second slot, capacity planning falls to one card, so carry one big enough for the shoot.

The DMW-BLC12 battery is rated at 320 shots. That should suit a casual day out, though heavier shooting days call for a charged spare.

The camera cannot charge over USB, so there is no topping the battery up from a laptop or power bank on location. Charging takes place between shooting sessions instead.

The storage and battery score of 21 is limited, and the practical takeaway is simple: bring a spare battery and enough card capacity for the whole day.