The Compact Powerhouse: An In-Depth Review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5

Discover the world of Micro Four Thirds cameras with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5. Complete with a 16-megapixel sensor, a customizable interface, and compact design, this camera packs a punch for photographers on-the-go. Read on for an in-depth review of this compact powerhouse and its standout features.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 article cover photo

Key Features

Sep 15 2014

Announced

16 megapixels

Resolution

BrandPanasonic
Sensor TypeFour Thirds
SensorCMOS
Weight211g
MSRP$899USD

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Overview of the Lumix DMC-GM5

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 is a compact camera with serious power. Designed for photographers constantly on-the-go, this camera boasts a Micro Four Thirds sensor and customizable interface for ultimate control. But, what sets it apart from other compact cameras available today? In this post, we’ll explore the standout features of the Lumix DMC-GM5, from its powerful sensor to its sleek design, and why it’s quickly becoming a favorite among photographers. So, let’s dive in and discover why this camera is worth your attention.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 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

Compact size
Interchangeable lens system
Good image stabilization
Fast autofocus
WiFi connectivity

Cons

Limited battery life
No built-in flash
Smaller sensor than DSLRs
No weather sealing
No headphone jack

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5

Weather sealed
Dimensions99 x 60 x 36mm
Weight211g
Thickness36mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 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 FinderElectronic
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution921k 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 921k dots. This makes the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 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

Lumix DMC-GM5 includes a electronic viewfinder with 1,166k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.46x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 has a 16MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 16 pixels. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 has a native ISO range of 200 - 25600 which can be boosted to 100 - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Sep 15 2014

Announced

200 - 25600

ISO Range

SensorFour Thirds
Extended ISO100 - null
Max resolution4592 x 3448 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

66 / 102

Color Depth

22.1 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

11.7 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

721 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 camera has above 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-GM5 is below average

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

2x

Full frame equivalent

48mm

This camera: Four Thirds

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC
Battery Life220 shots
Battery ModelDMW-BLH7
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 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-GM5 uses the DMW-BLH7 model of battery pack. This is rated for 220 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-GM5 does not have a built-in flash, but it does offer a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/500s, 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-GM5 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-GM5?

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 weather sealed?

No the Lumix DMC-GM5 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 announced?

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 was announced on Sep 15 2014

Does the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 have in-body image stabilization?

No the Lumix DMC-GM5 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-GM5?

The Lumix DMC-GM5 has a native ISO range of 200-25600, which can be expanded to ISO 100-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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