Panasonic GM5 Review: Panasonic presents Lumix DMC-GM5 with electronic viewfinder: Extremely compact mirrorless system camera

With the Lumix DMC-GM5, Panasonic is expanding its extremely compact GM series with a model with a built-in electronic viewfinder. The GM5 is only five millimetres higher and thicker than the GM1. The built-in flip-up flash had to make way for the viewfinder, but a system flash shoe and a attachable flash with guide number 7 are included. Together with the pancake zoom 12-32 mm, the GM5 is more compact than the Lumix DMC-LX100, which was also introduced today.

Brief assessment

Pros

• Extremely compact system camera
• Fast AF, high continuous shooting rate
• Wide range of functions
• Up to ISO 1,600 very good image quality

Cons

• Fiddly operation (but touch display)
• Flash sync speed with at least 1/50 second clearly too long
• Not very high resolution set lens
• Small EVF

With the Lumix GM1, Panasonic introduced an extremely compact camera in the Micro Four Thirds System about a year ago, and now it is getting a big sister with the Lumix GM5. It is also very compact, but comes with an electronic viewfinder and a flash shoe. To go with the extremely handy system camera, there is the likewise very compact standard zoom G Vario 12-32/1:3.5-5.6 Asph. Mega O.I.S. and, brand new, the 35-100/1:4.0-5.6 Asph.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 is the most compact Micro-Four-Thirds camera with integrated electronic viewfinder. It is equipped with the lens Lumix G Vario 12-32/1:3.5-5.6 Asph Mega O.I.S. not larger than a typical high end compact camera. [Photo: Panasonic]

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5’s electronic viewfinder, which enlarges 0.46x compared to 35mm, resolves 1.166 million pixels. [Photo: Panasonic]

On the back, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 offers a 7.5 centimeter 16:9 touch screen with 921,000 pixels resolution. The main menu of the GM5 consists of long lists, which have to be scrolled through in a complicated way. Operation is much smarter with the touch display of the camera. [Photo: Panasonic]

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 has a hot shoe, a small attachable flash is included with the camera. [Photo: Panasonic]

Panasonic has equipped the GM5 with a multitude of controls, which are naturally quite small.

Unlike the LX100, which has a very high resolution (2.76 million pixels) and extremely large (0.7x corresponding to 35mm) viewfinder, the GM5 has to make do with a 0.46x magnification factor and 1.166 million pixels of resolution. In view of the smaller size, however, the resolution seems quite appropriate and is above the 921,000 pixels of the 7.5 centimeter 16:9 touchscreen. So you can still take pictures even under unfavourable lighting conditions. Switching is automatic thanks to the eye sensor, and the sensor can also automatically activate the autofocus. Otherwise the GM5 has a lot in common with the technology of the GM1. For example, the 16-megapixel live MOS sensor is mounted directly on the camera back, which allows for the particularly flat design. The maximum sensitivity is ISO 25,600, and the combination of mechanical and electronic shutter is used again. Up to 1/16.000 second short can be exposed with the GM5, and this even with completely silent release. The mechanical shutter offers anyway only a shortest shutter speed of 1/500 second, the shortest flash sync speed is even only 1/50 second.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 has a 16 megapixel 17.3 x 13 millimetre Four-Thirds sensor with a maximum light sensitivity of ISO 25,600. The GM5 is a genuine system camera that records every lens according to the Micro-Four-Third standard. [Photo: Panasonic]

The elegantly designed Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 is also supposed to be available in a chic red-black. [Photo: Panasonic]

The Lumix GM5 records videos in Full-HD resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels at a maximum of 50 full frames per second (50p) including stereo sound, which can optionally be fed in externally. Storing can be done either in MP4 or AVCHD format, the codec used is H.264. Time and aperture can be manually selected in video mode if desired. The GM5’s rapid contrast autofocus, thanks to a 240 frames per second signal exchange, works even in very dark environments down to -4 EV, which corresponds to a starry night. In addition, there is face and eye recognition for even more precise focusing when taking portraits. Thanks to the touchscreen, the AF focuses on a tapped subject detail and the Lumix can also be triggered via the touchscreen. Continuous AF and focus tracking are also part of the equipment. When focusing manually, a switchable focus magnifier and focus peaking, which emphasises sharp contrast edges and thus helps to find the optimum focus point, are also helpful. The focusing is switched by a rotary wheel on the top of the camera. In continuous shooting mode, the GM5 achieves 5.8 frames per second with AF-S, 5 frames per second with AF-C and 4 frames per second with AF-Tracking.

Not only in comparison to the Lumix DMC-LX100 (right in the picture) the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 turns out to be quite compact.

In addition to an intelligent automatic system, the GM5 also offers motif programmes, 22 effect filters, panorama, HDR as well as an automatic programme, semi-automatic and manual exposure function. The turn-click wheel on the back of the camera helps to quickly adjust the manually selected parameters. Furthermore, the GM5 is equipped with an electronic spirit level, a built-in raw converter as well as WLAN and NFC. Photos and videos can thus be transferred wirelessly to a mobile device, and it is also possible to control the camera, see also the photo tip in the further links at the end of the text.

Since November 2014, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 was available in stores at a price of around 800 to 900 EUR. And because Panasonic has opted for a more modern rather than retro look, the GM5 is not only available in elegant black, but also in an extremely chic red/black version. The housing is made of magnesium with a high-quality imitation leather cover. In any case, the GM5 should be offered without a 12-32mm lens, unlike the GM1. By the way, the additional handle DMW-HGR1 of the GM1 also fits to the GM5. To match the GM series, Panasonic announces two additional lenses, one of which is a new edition and a compact telephoto zoom.

The battery of the GM5 is not very powerful and is sufficient for only 210 pictures (according to CIPA standard).

Ergonomics and Workmanship

When you take the Lumix GM5 out of the box, you may not believe at first that you are holding a full-grown system camera in your hands. With its dimensions of 98,5 mm x 59,5 mm x 36,1 mm (W x H x D), the tiny one is barely bigger than a cigarette box and weighs, ready for use (but without lens), only a little more than 200 grams. There are compact cameras that are definitely bigger, even if the very handy G Vario 12-32/1:3.5-5.6 Asph. Mega O.I.S. lens is attached to the GM5. This is because the standard zoom can be pushed together when not in use to save space, so that it only protrudes about three centimetres. This makes the combination too big for the trouser pocket, but it still fits comfortably in any jacket pocket or handbag. But the flipside of miniaturization is: After power-on the GM5 first reports “Rotate the zoom ring to extend lens”. It would be more practical if the camera could be switched on immediately with a turn of the zoom ring; but this way, two handles become necessary, where usually only one is enough.

The housing of the GM5 consists largely of high-quality plastic, the touch qualities are quite ok. The front of the camera is very flat, there is no bulge on the handle. This looks chic, but gives too little grip if the GM5 is equipped with a heavy lens. With the 12-32, however, the camera can be held relatively securely with one hand even without additional ergonomic aids such as the optionally available DMW-HGR1 handle.

In contrast to the even more compact GM1, the GM5 comes with an electronic viewfinder. It sits on the left side and offers a standard high resolution of 1.17 million pixels. However, the viewfinder image is very small (viewfinder image magnification 0.46x relative to 35 mm) and also seems to be generated at the end of a long tunnel. For spectacle wearers, the EVF is hardly usable, after all, there is a dioptre compensation with a wide range of -4 to +4 dpt. What’s nice, on the other hand, is that a proximity sensor automatically switches from the display to the viewfinder when you lift the camera in front of your eye. Since its sensitivity can be adjusted, this also works very reliably in practice. Alternatively, you can switch manually between viewfinder and monitor display.

The display cuts a fine figure, it has a resolution of high 921,600 pixels. Too bad that it is firmly installed and can neither be folded nor swivelled. The monitor is touch-sensitive for this purpose, and Panasonic has consistently geared the operation of the camera to this. Those who do not belong to the “smartphone” generation and prefer to operate their camera in the conventional way will not be let down by the GM5. The camera offers a variety of dedicated controls, even a dial for AF mode is included. However, the knobs and dials are very small, which is unavoidable in view of the compact camera. More serious is the fact that Panasonic labels the operating elements in grey, making the names difficult to read. It also becomes confusing when you enter the menus of GM5. Here, there are long lists instead of directly selectable registers – this is also more convenient. What is nice, however, is that the GM5 displays a help text for practically every menu command.

The connections for HDMI and USB are located under a plastic flap that is neatly hinged. The battery and memory card share a common slot on the bottom of the camera. It is blocked when a quick-release plate is screwed on – this too is probably unavoidable given the very compact dimensions. Also that the tripod thread is not completely in the optical axis.

Equipment

A compact camera for any occasion is ideally equipped with all the functions that make light-hearted photography possible. Even the Panasonic Lumix DMC GM5 doesn’t want to be left behind. First of all, it offers two fully automatic modes, one of which allows the aperture, white balance and exposure to be adjusted individually. If you don’t want to rely on the automatic motif control to set it, you can also select one of almost 20 scene programs. Also on board are an HDR and a panorama automatic. In addition, there are 22 creative modes for effective image alienation from retro to star filter.

The GM5 is only ready to shoot after the lens has been extended by hand.

But the compact system camera also has just about everything that demanding photographers want. These include automatic shutter and aperture control as well as the possibility of manual exposure control. The latter even works in conjunction with the ISO automatic, so that the GM5 automatically regulates the exposure at a fixed time/aperture combination via the sensitivity. The camera is equipped with a fully electronic shutter, which allows a shortest exposure time of 1/16.000 sec.

HDMI and USB sockets are well protected under a proper flap on the GM5

The GM5 also has an electronically controlled mechanical shutter, but here the first curtain is formed electronically and only the second consists of a classic mechanical curtain. But it only allows a shortest shutter speed of 1/500 sec. Much more serious is the fact that the electronic shutter does not allow flash photography, the mechanical shutter limits the shortest possible synchronous time to 1/50 sec. That’s a pity, because otherwise the camera comes up with sophisticated flash functions like synchronisation to the second curtain or TTL exposure control. By the way, there was no room for an integrated flash in the compact housing of the GM5, instead Panasonic includes a small attachable flash, which with guide number 7 is hardly more potent than the on-board flash of some cameras.

When it comes to fast continuous shooting rates, the small GM5 really goes all out. Although we could not reach the promised 10 frames per second (fps) with electronic shutter in the test, 6 fps in JEPG recordings is already a high value. Much more important than an extremely high serial frame rate is in practice that a camera can keep it up for a long time. And in this respect, the GM5 proves to be extremely persistent, as it did not fall into the comfortable endurance run even after a 30 second spurt. When recording in RAW format, however, it continues at a leisurely rate of just under 2 fps after only six shots. Despite its impressive serial image performance, the GM5 is not a sports camera. It lacks the ability to adjust the focus at high continuous shooting rates and there is no live view – instead, the last image recorded appears in the viewfinder.

The tripod thread of the GM5 is not completely in the optical axis.

That the GM5 is a lively camera is also shown in video recordings. When filming, it tracks the focus quickly and accurately, and annoying focus pumping is largely unknown to it. On request, it delivers films with a resolution in Full-HD at 50 full frames per second (50p). You have the choice of recording the data in the space-saving AVCHD form or as MP4 files for easy editing. It’s also nice that the GM5 can take pictures while filming. The stereo sound can be manually controlled if desired, and the GM5 also has an electronic wind filter. If the lens is equipped with an optical image stabilizer, it can also be activated when shooting movies.

Panasonic has provided the GM5 with some useful editing functions in playback mode. Among other things, it is possible to retouch disturbing picture elements, such as power poles, away. Thanks to the touch display, this is even amazingly easy. Otherwise the GM5 only offers home cooking like rotating and cropping pictures, changing file size etc. Panasonic apparently paid more attention to the WiFi functions during development. In conjunction with Panasonic’s “Image App” (available for Android and iOS), images can be transferred from the camera to a mobile device or the camera can be remotely controlled from the device. It is also clever that the GM5 can use the Image App to take over GPS coordinates recorded on a mobile device and save them in the respective recordings – this way, the need for a separate GPS module in the camera is not significant.

Lens

Like all system cameras from Panasonic, the GM5 is equipped with a bayonet according to the “Micro Four Thirds” standard. This means that it works with all lenses that follow this standard. In addition to the lenses produced in-house, these are mainly those of the manufacturer Olympus. Especially for the very light and compact GM5, Panasonic offers the standard zoom G Vario 12-32/1:3.5-5.6 Asph Mega O.I.S., the tele zoom G Vario 35-100/1:4-5.6 Asph Mega O.I.S. and the fixed focal length Leica DG Summilux 15 mm F1.7 Asph. The former covers a focal length range of 24 to 64 millimetres in 35 mm, the latter zooms from 70 to 200 millimetres (a detailed test of the telezoom on the GM5 can be found in the links below). The fixed focal length corresponds to a 30mm wide angle. Both zooms are very small and light in relation to their zoom range, and can be folded together even more space-savingly for transport. In addition, the zooms are equipped with an optical image stabilizer; it also stabilizes the viewfinder image, which is particularly useful at long telephoto focal lengths. In both lenses, the tube is made of plastic, but Panasonic manufactures the bayonet from metal.

Equipped with the standard zoom, the GM5 weighs less than 300 grams.

Paired with the G Vario 12-32/1:3.5-5.6, the GM5 shows impressive autofocus performance; it takes less than 0.3 seconds at all focal lengths to focus and release from infinity to a distance of two metres. A clever trick is responsible for this good result, especially with the principle of rather slow contrast autofocus: Panasonic reads the image sensor (and thus the distance information) during focusing at 240 hertz. In addition, with the small lens only small glass masses need to be moved for focusing. In general, the AF system of the GM5 is highly developed. A small highlight is surely the possibility to determine with a fingertip on the display on which part of the motive the camera should focus. To do this, it divides the viewfinder image into 25 zones that can be selected individually.

When focusing manually, the GM5 supports you with several functions. For example, there is focus peaking, in which the contrast edges in the image are highlighted in color. In addition, the GM5 can be set to display a focus magnifier as soon as you turn the focus ring of the lens. This enlarged section of the image does not take up the entire viewfinder image, but only a small part of it. This way you can keep an overview of the current image section despite the activated focus magnifier – a great idea!

Image quality

Panasonic is totally committed to the Micro-Four-Thirds standard. And so the GM5 also comes with an image sensor in 4:3 format, which in this camera has a resolution of 16 megapixels. On paper, this image sensor resembles that of its sister model GM1, a camera that at the time was reviewed by me and demostrated a good performance. This is something that I tested in practice and mostly, with the help of the testing software.

The sensor area of Micro Four Thirds is only 0.25 times that of a 35 mm camera. Accordingly, individual photodiodes crowd the image converter very closely, which usually results in a rapidly decreasing signal-to-noise ratio when ISO sensitivities are too high. Even the GM5 can’t completely hide this problem, but up to ISO 800 its signal-to-noise ratio remains in the green range of more than 35 dB, at ISO 1,600 it is only just below that. Nevertheless, shooting at ISO 1.600 is still no problem for the GM5, as Panasonic has fine-tuned its noise reduction. It intervenes particularly in even areas of the picture, but works much more cautiously on contrasting edges, which benefits the richness of detail. In addition, the noise in the uncorrected raw files is very fine-grained – this also helps to preserve fine image details. At ISO 3.200, however, the grain becomes harder; in JPEGs, noise reduction sacrifices the finest details. Nevertheless, the camera is usable up to this ISO level, for smaller prints ISO 6.400 is still okay. This is mainly due to the fact that the GM5 processes a high motif contrast of almost eleven aperture stops up to this ISO level (apart from a slight drop in ISO 3,200).

However, this positive result is bought by a very high texture sharpness and therefore a high sharpness artifact rate – a clear indication that GM5 sharpens more than it might be necessary. On the other hand, the small camera gives a decent figure at the output tonal range, up to ISO 1,600 it differentiates color and brightness differences on a good level. Beyond ISO 6.400, however, the output dynamics collapse dramatically – the camera should only be trusted with higher ISO values in an absolute emergency. In terms of color reproduction, the GM5 is a classic representative of a Panasonic camera with strong orange and violet tones, as well as a cyan that is colored towards magenta. This can’t be due to the white balance, because it works with exemplary precision up to ISO 6.400.

Apart from the slight weaknesses in colour fidelity and sharpening, the GM5’s sensor and image processor are quite remarkable. The G Vario 12-32 mm 3.5-5.6 Asph. O.I.S. lens, on the other hand resolves about 45 line pairs per millimeter (lp/mm), but only in the center of the image. Towards the edges of the image, the resolution decreases significantly, especially the loss of the edge at the short end of the standard zoom is striking. This problem cannot be alleviated by stopping down, because due to the relatively small sensor area, diffraction effects limit the resolution already from f-stop F8. At a focal length of 24 millimetres (in relation to 35 mm), the lens clearly has a barrel shape, whereas 40 and 60 millimetres are virtually distortion-free. Color fringes caused by chromatic aberration begin to disturb visibly only at aperture F11, but due to the diffraction problem, the lens should only be stopped down this far in an emergency.

Conclusion

With the Lumix DMC-GM5, Panasonic brings a very handy system camera that delivers solid performance. Your continuous shooting rate is high, the autofocus works fast and the image quality of the camera is more than good. It’s a pity that the set lens, which is also very compact, cannot exploit the potential of the 16 megapixel sensor. On the other hand, it fits the camera perfectly because it can be pushed together to save even more space for transport. The extremely compact dimensions of the GM5, however, take their toll on handling: the operating elements are tiny and the housing offers little support for the hand. So it’s particularly gratifying that Panasonic has equipped the camera with a touch display that makes it easier to operate during recording and playback. However, the display cannot be folded, and the very small electronic viewfinder is only a limited alternative to the fixed monitor. Nevertheless the GM5 is a very successful camera despite small weaknesses. It is hardly bigger than a compact, but it provides a much better image quality and can be expanded with all lenses according to the Micro-Four-Thirds standard.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 data sheet