Image courtesy: ePhotozine
ePhotozine (click here) posted the full Panasonic GM5 review. The camera got a a full 5 star score:
Despite being one of the smallest Micro Four Thirds cameras available with built in EVF, and also being smaller than most other mirrorless cameras, the Panasonic Lumix GM5 doesn’t compromise on image quality or features, and delivers advanced options in a camera small enough to fit in your pocket, even with the lens attached! The camera has a good 3 inch touch screen which makes it easy to use in combination with Panasonic’s clear and logical menu system. Built in Wi-Fi makes sharing photos or using the camera remotely easy and fun. There are a few negatives, including the short battery life, and the kit lens doesn’t offer as good macro performance as other kit lenses available, but for those that want excellent image quality, the ability to change lenses, and one of the smallest compact system cameras possible with a built in electronic viewfinder the Panasonic Lumix GM5 is our Editor’s Choice!
Panasonic preorders:
LX100 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto. Europe at WexUK.
GM5 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto. Europe at WexUK.
GM5 in red at Adorama.
35-100mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
77 Responses
Brilliant & Stylish are my words to this little
There is a lot to like, but every time I see that dial with only three settings I shake my head.
Very true. Well I was in the market for a smaller take anywhere camera. In the past I owned a G2 from Panasonic which I didn’t like and eventually sold it. From then on all my camera’s were Olympus.
The GM5 was candidate for the take anywhere cam due to evf and hot shoe also the E-PL7 was in the race but I chose ….drumroll …. GM1.
Even smaller than the GM5 and when I had a peak through the evf I was dissapointed. Though better than on the compacts it was still tiny and had colorsmearing that I didn’t like. The only nice things to miss is maybe the hotshoe and the panorama mode. the rest is the same but in the meantime it costs twice as much as a GM1 that you can now have for €449 with kit lens here in the netherlands.
From what shop?
fotohanskeuzekamp.nl
It’s the silver version, the one that I liked most 😉
The best deal, if you want the grip, is the silver version with kit AND 20mm for €799!!!!!!!
I felt the same way as soon as I looked at a review. Here you have this incredible little tech marvel but with limited space and you wasted a dial to control focus choice…Not a deal-breaker…but definitely a disappointment. (The tech who made that decision used to work at Canon. :-)).
thats the AF selector, its normal to have those modes only
If it had decent IBIS(just like the GX7), i would have bought it. Now I only have the Panasonic 100-300 lens that is stabalised on it(not ideal anyway 🙂 ), and even my Lumix 20mm f1.7 wil work better on my OM-D(let alone other lenses I have).
Never had a problem with shake, though IBIS helps, not having it is not a dealbreaker. All my camera’s before the E-P1 didn’t have IBIS and I managed fine.
Never? Not once? In 10,000’s of shots? If true then you’re unique. People did manage before IS, you’re right, but had to expect a certain number of blurred images. It was just life back then. But now, people expect to have it built-in with m43. I don’t know how much bigger the GM-5 would’ve been if it was included, maybe that’s the difference in size between it and the GX-7. I would’ve liked to have seen it included though.
I know from the photo’s I take I can get away with much lower shutter speeds because of IBIS. It’s really noticeable for me going from the E-M5 to the X100S. I get far more blurred pictures from the X100S and really have to pay attention to my stance when using it with lower shutter speeds.
Well, I used never in the context of knowing when to expect shake and anticipating on that by using a support of some sort. For beginners I admit it might be a dealbreaker not having IS. Then again this camera is sold with the kit lens that does have OIS, also the 35-100mm has it.
Ofcourse you are right that you can’t have 100% shake free pics all the time handheld, but still I find it a no issue.
Besides this is not my primary camera so for real serious work there’s IBIS and a tri-/monopod.
And I agree with Ulli that IS is most important for video.
In the first sentence I forgot to mention using the 1/focal length shutterspeed rule to avoid shake as well, help
True, I shouldn’t have held you to ‘never’ so firmly :o) But for me IBIS is important, I’m getting older and apparently (according to DigLloyd) as you get older you shake more. Certainly that’s been my experience with the X100S.
for hand held video 🙂
in my experience IBIS or OIS is more important in handheld video, though in situations with slower shutter speeds you need to put more effort in making stills if none is present
You should be fine without IBIS for the most part below say, 80mm equivalent focal lengths (allows 1/80 sec shutter, which is doable for most shooting at 3200 ISO and below). The no IBIS on Panasonic does have an interesting effect on me though, because I want to get either the cheap oly 40-150 or the panny 45-150. Since panasonic doesn’t have IBIS, and I may one day buy a panasonic body, I’m opting to buy the panny tele zoom instead to future proof my setup.
Of course I used other camera’s before, and IBIS works wonders. You could really shoot at ridiculously low shutter speeds and still have sharp images(unless subject is moving of course).
I shoot a lot of macro(have the 60mm Oly), and it’s of no use without IBIS.
My point is, with the GX7 they introduced in body stabilization and everybody thought that they would continue to release camera’s with IBIS. With the GH4 they maybe had a point not doing it: overheating the sensor(if that’s even possible). In the GM5 they should have included it.
When buying lenses I do the same as you: If price is similar and quality also, I buy the Panasonic variant with IS(that’s why I bought the Pana 100-300mm in stead of the Oly 75-300).
The lack of IBIS is little disappointing, I’ve got the GM-1 and the IS in the lens works well, but switching to any of my Olympus lenses means handheld video or low light work suffers.
It’s still the camera I carry with me everywhere though.
I have came to conclusion that Olympus should license their 3-axis IBIS to Panasonic as i believe it would give benefits for m4/3 system.
Here is another free review, short and professional:
the plasticky feel and the illogical, cumbersome menus obviously scream “consumer electronic gadget”. The lack of dedicated control dials confirms the first impression and finally relegates this object into toys rather than cameras. The extra low flash sync speed brings it lower down in the list.
The tiny sensor is adequate because anything larger would be wasted. The price is grossly inflated and we advise to wait 6 months to see it halved and a year to see it on the correct level, which is 250 USD.
IBIS never mattered a lot, but it is missing, too.
Well, if you’re a fanboy of some other type of camera, I guess one could look at it the way you. Ialso nhad my reservations about the flash sync and shutter system but if one is really objective than you have to ask yourself where is it’s forte.
It’s being very small, pocketable even, the sensor has very good sensitivity and is clean until 3200iso even 6400 is usable, do you really do that much flash fotography indoors? And last will you use it for casual or serious photography on sports or high speed objects.
If not, this could be the perfect camera. And besides if you are an experienced photographer, as you try to let shimmer through, then you’ld know how to get around it’s limitations.
Else your remark is of no value and could be concidered trolling.
Well fast flash sync helps indoors and outdoors, whenever there is a non-controllable source of light. These sensors are bad in low light and this camera negates a useful source of help.
The childish menus and the lack of basic physical controls are an annoying reality.
A camera with manky controls, poor light sensitivity + bad flash options is the opposite of perfect in my book. Of course, opiniony may differ.
No problem, you’re entitled to your opinion.
But you need to get your facts straight. This camera can take perfect pictures indoors in low light, it has the same sensor as the GX7 and it should not be far of of the OMD’s performance, if any. The reviews are all positive for that matter, it’s in line with my still very limited experience with the camera (one week).
I shoot the OMD in near darkness, I almost never use a flash. Ofcourse you can’t stop fast action but people who buy this as a their main/first camera are most likely those who step up from P&S, so it’ll do perefectly fine.
What’s childish about the menu, I don’t get it, it seems the similar as Canon’s powershot or even DSLR menu’s, you can even customize the Quick menu items, I wish you could do that on the Olympus camera’s.
What are the manky controls, apart from the frame/exposure speed dial, which is also lost on me, on this miniature camera. You know, something ‘s got to give, to compensate the LCD is touchscreen.
I’m sorry but apperently you expect the handling of a full blown DSLR on this mini cam. Get real man.
You are probably right, I expect too much. And I am stingy, too, so I would rather buy last year’s Oly models at 199 USD. Or better, a slightly larger cam, with proper controls; but you are right, it would have to be larger.
In the netherlands we say “we kijken de kat uit de boom”, meaning something like we sit back and see what’s happening with other’s experience and then decide. I’m like that too, I’ll never jump the gun on anything unless I’m sure I won’t regret it. It’s also why I decided on getting the GM1, although I was fixated on the newer GM5 or RX100III.
What I did wa carefully consider and evaluate why I wanted the small camera in the first place, which was it should always be with me at all times, for the unexpected moments etc. So it should be a fast focusser, which it is, it’s very fast it’s equal even to the GX7, and should do reasonably well in dim environments without flash.
Would I miss the viewfinder? Well maybe sometimes, but in the past I got by by shielding the LCD with my left hand while shooting with the right, this will be no problem at all with this extremely light camera.
However I’m planning to get the Franiec grip or the flipbac G3.
in the netherlands they look more what everyone else is buying before making a choice 🙂
Those, you have everywhere;-)
I wouldn’t want to make a blanket statement, but this day and age it’s true for people in a lot of western or first world countries.
Look at all the iPhone X’s, and Galaxy Sx’s.
I’m not bothered by that, I get what fulfills my needs and I generally don’t care about brand. It’s why I have a chinese phone and tablet with custom roms installed right at the day of purchase ;-), it’s why all my computers run linux since 1994, so I’m not bothered by adobe either. Buying what fits me is also why I dumped Canon in favour of Olympus 43, I run XnviewMP and Corel aftershot Pro.
where’s edit mode when you need it.
Second alinea should say “…it’s true for a lot of people in a lot ….”
Else it would be a blanket statement 😉
I am on a Canon diet for a while(or forever lol)
Bless you 😉
Sorry for your loss…
I am not brand or format loyal type, so no need to feel pity for this guy.
” will you use it for casual or serious photography on sports or high speed objects. If not, this could be the perfect camera.”
Why not for sports? ~5fps is fast enough for most sports (unless you have to get the instant where the ball is compressed on the racquet or bat or clubhead, which most of us don’t). Decent burst depth; 1080/60p video. Why not use it for sports?
Agree, this camera is crippled in many ways, so it should be cheap. Instead, they charge extra – for what exactly? Size so small that there is no space left for the basic controls? Not for me thanks.
Anyone that thinks this camera should have dedicated control dials totally missed the point. It would be like me claiming the Fuji XT1 is an overpriced piece of junk because it is so large. Dedicated dials take up a lot of room and have no place on a small camera. If I wanted large I would still be shooting with a SLR. In general, I consider a dedicated shutter speed dial total waste of space since I normally shoot in aperture mode. If Panasonic had given me more control over auto ISO I would hardly ever need to manually set ISO either. I like having a real dial or two (the little ones around the 4 way controller are not “real” IMO) but do not want them dedicated. That the GM5 has 1 real dial gives it a big advantage over the GM1, particularly if I can switch from controlling aperture to ISO just by pressing it.
The price does seem high. But if small camera prices get cut in half after 6 months and fall to $250 after a year please tell me where I can buy a $250 GM1. At that price I would buy one to go with my GX7.
Dave, remember not to confuse your own taste or habits (you say you scarcely use controls) with other people’s (who use controls a lot). If you study photography, you will see how important they are and never shoot without them again.
To answer your second question, here is another crippled camera, for a lot less: http://www.43rumors.com/the-best-cheap-us-mft-camera-you-can-get-refurbished-e-pm1-with-lens-for-199/
Hej Andrew, I’d not want dials like on the X-T1 on every camera since it slows down handling a lot. Two dedicated dials in combination with the right buttons or switches is much faster, like ones on the E-P5 or E-M1. Dedicated aperture dials and shutterspeed dials are a waste in my opinion since they are physically too far from each other. It was a necessity on SLR’s back in the day, but in this age all is electronic anyway, so why bother with a slow user interface.
On a camera that doesn’t have a viewfinder all you need is a touchscreen. Else you just need a dial close to your right thumb and right index/middle finger and a switch/button to switch functions so you can get to your settings without having to take your eye away from the EVF.
So in that light I agree, you linked to a really crippled camera E-PM1, it doen’t have a touch screen and it doesn’t have useful buttons/dials either.
Oh yeah I love the programmable buttons on the Olympus (Pro)lenses making it possible to do focus lock or aperture functionality, or any other setting without having to take your hand away from the lens.
“Dedicated aperture dials and shutterspeed dials are a waste in my opinion since they are physically too far from each other”
Huh???
They are only too far from each other if the camera is poorly designed. On the GH3, for example, one is on top (use index finger); the other is on the rear (use thumb). Even with minimal manual dexterity (I have severe arthritis in my hands from sports injuries) it’s very easy, quick and simple to operate. I always shoot manual and am constantly adjusting both dials as lighting conditions change outdoors.
L hand under the telephoto, R hand for shutter, dials, most Fn buttons.
Simple.
I use controls all the time, just not shutter speed. Being able to press the rear dial of my GX7 to switch between exposure compensation and aperture is more convenient than having separate dedicated dials and takes less space. I have all the buttons on my GX7 programmed to my tastes and use them. But if I wanted a smaller camera I would have to give some of them up. You are the one that is assuming your preference of a larger camera with more controls is correct and anyone that disagrees needs to learn more about photography. Take your own advice and quite assuming you know what is best for everyone else.
BTW, the EPM1 is a lot less camera. No real dials, heavier, no viewfinder and most importantly the old 12MP sensor has much less dynamic range. If all you care about is the number of physical controls it may be comparable but if image quality matters it is not.
Oh come on, it’s still a pretty bad sensor, I doubt it will make a big difference. For 600 extra, I can buy more useful stuff. I am not sure yet but I think I am going to pass on this one.
“Still a pretty bad sensor” that produces better results than any 35mm film camera ever did, and better results than any digital sensor (short of medium format) from about 7 years ago. Gotcha. Because no photographer ever got a shot worth taking until the last 7 years.
Still having those dreams huh? Are they very wet?
All you need to do is compare shots from a GX7 to a Canon 1Ds III or a Nikon D300s. I’m guessing you’ve forgotten what they actually looked like 7 years ago. Don’t be snarky, be realistic.
Compare raws, not jpgs, otherwise we just compare settings.
I also shoot small sensors (in my book, 43 is a small sensor) and I know what they can do and what they cannot. No way they reach ma old 5D1, for example.
My main complaint is that the dedicated focus dial should really just be another command dial without changing the form factor.. Focus is definitely something that can and should be adjusted with a button on a camera like this.
That would be impressive, 2 command dials in such a tiny form factor for great control and pocketability at once.
does anyone know if the GM5 still suffers from the “1st shot bug”? which i tried to show here:
http://youtu.be/wwLDBUFVJuc
this is pretty frustrating if you take raw+jpeg as the camera becomes blocked after only 5 shots.
can anybody tell my-why thoes IDIOTS dit not make this with the specs of the LX 100?
-4k
-can cahange Lenses?
so noen of them-becaus the shrinki shrink show for 2015 must have this… are users
idiots..do they think like chikken in the departments?
Where is the G7?
I have enough place, bigger hands and do not live in a prisson like Honkong ore elswhre?
yes it is hard-but waht is on with the Pany-men?
i do not want shrinki and next year 8 K and all this marketing-bullshit…
2014 none is bought-and 2015… think you will not get me
10 BIT WHEN?
100mbts intern? this all is fukin off 2009- world…stop taklin about past thanks you are my hero 🙂
nonsense words by a rude person
ya bra whatever we agree hehehe
Because of exclusive factor Pana reserved for each of it’s premiers .
Here is the summary .
GH : 4K
GX : IBIS
GM : Compact
LX100 : non interchange lens
G series buyers all goes to GH series so no G7 except if business profit grow further .
Yes , still you going to buy it for the right look & the fate it take nice nice pictures .
Don’t cry.
Get a GX7 instead. They’re cheap these days.
Hej Jeff, the GX7 is considerably bigger than both GM camera’s, so if small is the prerequisite than GX7 is not an alternative. I was torn between RX100III, GM(x) and E-PL7, but the latter isn’t that small at all it’s almost as big as the E-P5 and E-M5, the RX has a very nice though fixed lens in a limited range, and for me having the option of changing lenses was the deciding factor to get the GM, I got the GM1 because I didn’t see the benefit of the EVF or hotshoe. And it was very cheap, new 449 euro’s.
Yeah, but when somebody whines about shrinking a camera, it’s simple, buy a bigger one. Right? 😉
I’m looking forward to trying out a GM5. It seems like Panasonic added some good features… EVF, Control Wheel (!!!). I could easily see it replacing my GX1. Even though I rarely use a flash, leaving out a pop-up flash is questionable, but the EVF more than makes up for it.
True, especially for mr/ms “i will not buy it”
😉
Yeah, the form-factor looks like a straight-up GX1 replacement, right down to the exact control layout. That said, I’m skeptical of which of the omitted features I’d use more. The pop-out flash is incredibly handy for macro, but I don’t use it for anything else – never low light, since on-camera flash always looks shite. Maybe backlit…
Then again, I rarely see the reason for an EVF on a small camera except in the most extreme of sunlit conditions. So it’s kind of six of one, half dozen of the other…
Does the GM5 use the same viewfinder as the LF1?
No, but it’s still not as nice as the E-M10 and it’s smaller than the GX7 but has the same pany quirks of the lcd readout, so there’s a bit of color smearing. It bothers me, but that doesn’t mean everybody else will be annoyed by it, so it could be perfectly fine for others.
If you consider this cam because of it’s purpose (small, pocketibility) you should definately check out the EVF yourself.
It seems on a camera like this the EVF would always be a bit of a last resort thing in case of really bright sunlight, or whatever. The camera and lens combinations are going to be so trivially light that an arms-out shooting position doesn’t really have any disadvantages.
You are right. The camera is actually to small to use the EVF comorfotably. It just feels odd. But it is a welcome addition in certain situations naturally
It’s interesting that the Ephhotozine review completely avoids any in-depth discussion of the VF on the GM5. As this is the main new feature????
Yeah I guess that’s due to the fact it’s useful for framing but it isn’t anything to write home about. Though larger than the TZ, LF series it’s smaller than the GX7’s and still has the readout issue.
It’s the reason I got the GM1 despite of the GM5 being available.
1.2 Mdot sounds ok i thought, or are the optics in the evf lesser quality? Panasonic had some issues with the glass in it in older models
Don ‘t know, but it is physically smaller, it isn’t really grainy but I can’t stand the color smearing, for some reason it annoys me, but that’s just me.
Also the eyecup isn’t comfortable to me.
So I suggest you try before you buy to prevent disappointment.
It does have a hot shoe too and some extra modes like panorama etc. Also the way you set up connection is easier due to the QR code.
But if that’s worth the extra 400 euro is up to you.
grainy already sounds less promising, too bad.
ooh i misread that
ePhotozine reviews seem to mainly be slightly wordier press releases with some hands-on impressions.
They don’t really impress with depth. For that you go for DPReview, Imaging Resource, or cameralabs.com.
Look how small and cute that entire package is ! I love IT!
One concern to me, though… Does the EVF still exhibit color tearing? The rainbow effect, if you will?
I have read from others that it does respond similarly to the GX7. Why panny doesn’t use the EVF of the G6 in their cameras that are below the GH4 is beyond me.
I’ve had my GX7 for over a year and never seen this “tearing” thing in the EVF.
From what I’ve read, it seems to affect only a small number of users.
Even without the tearing thing, when I used a GX7 at a store the refresh rate was just too low and made me feel distant from the whole experience. I then picked up the G6 and it had none of those issues.
Interesting, when I tried a GX7 at a store I was surprised by the high refresh rate. BTW I am a G6 user.
Still no IBIS…
A pretty absurd camera (hi price, no flash, horrid flash sync speed, old and tiny sensor, poor manual controls), easily overshadowed by the LX100.
You said this yesterday, remember?
Are you upset because your ‘review’ yesterday was deleted by the admin?
Poor Harrydicktom.