Capture Life's Moments with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 is a compact and lightweight camera that delivers outstanding image quality. This mirrorless camera is perfect for travel photography, family events, and everyday moments. With advanced features and intuitive controls, the Lumix DMC-GF5 allows users to create stunning images and videos with ease.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 article cover photo

Key Features

Apr 05 2012

Announced

12 megapixels

Resolution

BrandPanasonic
Sensor TypeFour Thirds
SensorCMOS
Weight267g
MSRP$599USD

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Overview of the Lumix DMC-GF5

In a world where capturing moments is more important than ever, having a reliable camera is essential. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 offers photographers and videographers a powerful tool to capture life's moments with clarity and precision. This compact camera packs a punch with advanced features like high-speed autofocus, full HD video, and a 12.1-megapixel sensor. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a budding hobbyist, the Lumix DMC-GF5 is a versatile camera that delivers quality results. Let's explore some of the standout features of this innovative camera and why it's a top choice for photographers of all levels.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High image quality
Compact design
User-friendly interface
Wide range of lenses
Fast autofocus
Built-in flash
Full HD video recording
Good low-light performance
WiFi connectivity
Touch-screen display

Cons

Limited battery life
No viewfinder
Limited physical controls
No weather-sealing
No image stabilization in body
Limited customization options
Limited ISO range compared to DSLRs
No headphone jack for audio monitoring
Price point higher than entry-level models
Limited availability of third-party accessories

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5

Weather sealed
Dimensions108 x 67 x 37mm
Weight267g
Thickness37mm
Weight
Min
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This
Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution920k dots
Body typeRangefinder-style mirrorless

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 920k dots. This makes the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the Lumix DMC-GF5 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 has a 12MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 12 pixels. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 has a native ISO range of 160 - 12800 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Apr 05 2012

Announced

160 - 12800

ISO Range

SensorFour Thirds
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution4000 x 3000 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

50 / 102

Color Depth

20.5 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

10 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

573 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 camera has average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Lumix DMC-GF5 is poor

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: Four Thirds

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC
Battery Life360 shots
Battery Model
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 uses the undefined model of battery pack. This is rated for 360 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with 23 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5?

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 weather sealed?

No the Lumix DMC-GF5 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 announced?

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 was announced on Apr 05 2012

Does the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 have in-body image stabilization?

No the Lumix DMC-GF5 does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5?

The Lumix DMC-GF5 has a native ISO range of 160-12800, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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