• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Panasonic G5

  • Less expensive
    $430 vs $550
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    364g vs 575g
    Lighter weight

Panasonic G5 advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.2 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    18 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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  • Body Only
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Review Excerpt

  • Small body pairs nicely with compact, retractable Power Zoom lens. Extremely fast autofocus. Worthwhile improvements in image quality. Touchscreen overlays can now be hidden.

  • LCD panel is prone to fingerprint smudges. Weak flash, and no hot shoe. Modest burst performance, and very limited buffer for raw shooting. Noise levels and dynamic range still lag competition.

  • Read our Panasonic GF5 Review

  • Small, compact body with excellent focusing and exposure capabilities; Newly enhanced touchpanel LCD screen makes image capture and review a joy; Excellent HD video recording quality.

  • Some controls difficult to access; Too easy to activate menus and options while shooting; Lack of a microphone-in jack limits video recording usefulness.

  • Read our Panasonic G5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic G5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PM1
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Hot shoe

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic G5
Olympus E-PM1
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Olympus E-PM1

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic G5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Panasonic G6

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic G6
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic G6

Panasonic G5
Panasonic G6
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic G6

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-M1
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-M1

Panasonic G5
Olympus E-M1
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Olympus E-M1

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