Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

The Lumix DMC-GM1, released in 2013, is a mirrorless camera small enough for a jacket pocket, measuring 99 x 55 x 30 mm and weighing 204 g.

The Micro Four Thirds mount accepts interchangeable lenses, so the body is not tied to a single focal length. A built-in flash and Wi-Fi complete the everyday kit.

The small size brings compromises. Framing happens on the 3-inch touchscreen because there is no viewfinder, and the battery is rated at 230 shots. For travel and everyday carry, the GM1 still makes sense.

The optics score of 48 is modest, and the GM1 sits in the bottom 21% of cameras in our database for Optics. The 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor works alongside the Venus Engine processor, and the result reflects partial credit for resolution, sensor format, ISO range and burst speed, with no points for in-body stabilisation.

Sensitivity runs from ISO 200 to 25600. At the base of 200, wide apertures in strong light call for fast shutter speeds, and the maximum of 25600 is available for very dim scenes.

The shutter reaches 1/16000, fast enough to freeze motion comfortably. Autofocus draws on 23 points, and continuous shooting reaches a maximum of 5 fps, which suits static and slow-moving subjects better than sustained action work.

There is no in-body stabilisation, so sharp handheld results depend on steady technique, a faster shutter speed, or lenses that stabilise on their own.

Video earns a good score of 70. Recording tops out at Full HD, which keeps the GM1 suited to online sharing, family clips and casual projects rather than 4K workflows.

The fastest frame rate offered is 60 fps, enough for smooth motion in everyday clips. A built-in timelapse mode records sequences automatically, so you can create moving passages of clouds, crowds or a sunset without an external intervalometer.

Footage records as MP4 or AVCHD, so you can choose between the two formats depending on recording and storage needs.

Shooting is done from the fixed screen, so expect to compose at arm's length or work from a tripod. The small, light body keeps the camera easy to carry on a video outing.

With no viewfinder, the fixed 3-inch touchscreen is the main interface. At 1,036,000 dots it is crisp enough for accurate focus checking, and touch control makes setting focus points and menu changes quick on such a small camera.

The features score of 57 is modest. Wi-Fi is built in, but there is no Bluetooth, so any wireless connection uses the Wi-Fi radio.

A built-in flash supplies fill light for close subjects, though the camera offers no option for external flashguns.

There is no weather sealing, so keep the camera sheltered in poor conditions, and no GPS, so the camera does not record location data itself.

Storage and battery is the weakest area of the GM1, with a limited score of 13. A single slot takes SD, SDHC or SDXC cards, so capacity planning is simple, but there is no second card for backup or overflow.

The DMW-BLH7 battery carries a rating of 230 shots, a modest figure that earned limited points toward the section score. For longer outings, a spare battery is a sensible precaution.

There is no USB charging, so the camera cannot draw power from a laptop or power bank over a USB cable. Charge the battery ahead of a shoot rather than topping up in the field.