Panasonic LX100 II vs Panasonic GM5: The Ultimate Hands-On Large Sensor Compact and Mirrorless Showdown

Choosing between the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II and the Panasonic GM5 can be a tricky decision, especially since they both occupy the intriguing crossroads of portability, image quality, and versatile performance - but in different ways. Drawing from over 15 years of hands-on camera testing, covering everything from wildlife safaris to studio portrait shoots, I’ll walk you through the practical strengths and compromises of each camera based on real-world experience and rigorous analysis.

In this extensive comparison, you’ll learn how these two Panasonic offerings stack up across key photographic disciplines, usability, and technical features. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or a professional seeking a compact backup, by the end you’ll have a clear understanding of which camera better suits your style and needs.

Design and Handling: Size, Ergonomics, and Build

The physical feel of a camera often sets the tone for your shooting experience. From my time shooting in fast-paced street environments vs. deliberate landscapes, I’ve found ergonomics can be just as important as specs.

• Panasonic LX100 II: This model is a large sensor compact, meaning it has a fixed lens but a sizable sensor (more on that next). Its dimensions of 115 x 66 x 64 mm and weight of 392 grams give it a satisfying heft and a robust feel that I found comforting during hand-held shooting or longer sessions. The grip is thoughtfully rounded, easing handling even with larger hands.

• Panasonic GM5: Contrast that with the entry-level mirrorless GM5, which is significantly smaller and lighter at 99 x 60 x 36 mm and 211 grams. This makes it remarkably pocket-friendly - ideal if ultimate portability is a priority. However, during extended shoots, especially with heavier lenses attached, the diminutive body can feel less stable in-hand unless you adapt your grip accordingly.

Both cameras feature fixed 3-inch LCDs with touch capabilities but differ in resolution and viewfinder quality (details below). In terms of robustness, neither boasts weather sealing, so caution is advised in adverse conditions.

The control layout & dials also differ. The LX100 II offers more manual dials giving hands-on control, while the GM5 leans on simpler button layouts with a retro mirrorless aesthetic. If manual adjustments on the fly matter to you - say in portraiture or landscape modes - LX100 II’s physical dials make a big difference.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras share the advantageous Four Thirds sensor size (17.3 x 13 mm) with nearly the same sensor area of 224.9 mm². But differences in resolution and processing engines affect output.

• LX100 II: Offers a 17MP sensor (4,736 x 3,552 pixels) paired with Panasonic’s Venus Engine, delivering remarkable image clarity and color reproduction. The slightly higher pixel count gives more resolution for cropping or large prints, beneficial in landscape or macro shooting where detail is paramount.

• GM5: Uses a 16MP sensor (4,592 x 3,448 pixels) with the same underlying Venus Engine, but image output is a touch softer in comparison, though colors remain vibrant and true-to-life. For everyday shooting and street-level prints, the difference is subtle.

Both cameras support RAW capture, essential for post-processing flexibility - critical for professional workflows or enthusiasts who want to fine-tune their shots.

Autofocus Systems: Precision and Speed in the Real World

An autofocus system’s responsiveness and accuracy can make or break your shot, especially when dealing with moving subjects like wildlife or kids.

• LX100 II: Employs a contrast-detection autofocus with 49 focus points, including face detection and AF tracking features. In my testing during indoor portrait shoots, I found the eye detection reliable under good lighting but occasionally slower in low light due to contrast-based AF limitations. The continuous AF mode handled moderately fast subjects well, though it may struggle with very fast action scenes.

• GM5: Features 23 AF points, also contrast-detect based. While adequate for static subjects or casual street photography, I noticed slower acquisition and tracking in more demanding situations. The smaller number of focus points reduces flexibility when composing off-center subjects.

Neither camera supports phase-detection AF or advanced animal eye AF, so wildlife photographers may find these less optimized compared to modern mirrorless models.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility: Fixed vs. Interchangeable

One of the biggest considerations when comparing these two is the LX100 II’s fixed zoom lens versus the GM5’s interchangeable Micro Four Thirds mount.

• LX100 II’s Lens: A 24-75mm equivalent zoom with a bright f/1.7-2.8 aperture range delivers excellent versatility - from wide environmental portraits to modest telephoto. The bright apertures allow good low-light performance and attractive background separation, important in portrait and macro work.

• GM5: Being an interchangeable lens camera, the GM5 opens the door to Panasonic and Olympus’ extensive MFT lens lineup - more than 100 lenses ranging from ultra-wide to super-telephoto macro. This makes the GM5 a chameleon fitting almost any genre from wildlife to macro to sports, as you can pair it with specialty optics.

This fundamental difference shifts usage scenarios drastically. The LX100 II is a sophisticated “all-in-one” ready to capture many scenes well without needing lens swaps. The GM5 demands you build your kit to get the most from it but rewards you with flexibility beyond the LX100’s reach.

Display and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shot

Both cameras feature electronic viewfinders (EVFs) and fixed 3-inch rear LCD screens with touch sensitivity, but their specifications vary.

• LX100 II: Sports a high-res EVF with 2,760k dots and a magnification of 0.7x, making for a bright, clear, and immersive framing experience. The 3-inch rear screen offers 1,240k dots resolution but unfortunately is fixed - not articulating - which restricts creative angles in live viewing.

• GM5: Comes with a smaller EVF at 1,166k dots and 0.46x magnification, making it less comfortable for fine manual focus or bright-light shooting. The rear screen is the same size (3 inches) but lower resolution (921k dots). It too is fixed with no tilt/swivel, which limits flexibility.

For serious handheld shooting in bright conditions or meticulous focusing, the LX100 II’s superior EVF quality stands out as a real advantage. The GM5 might suffice if you primarily use the LCD or shoot in controlled lighting.

Burst Shooting and Performance: Capturing the Decisive Moment

For sports, wildlife, or fast street photography, burst rate and buffer depths influence your ability to capture fleeting moments.

• LX100 II: Delivers a remarkable 11 fps continuous shooting, which is impressive for a large sensor compact, allowing quick sequences of action shots. It has a silent electronic shutter option up to 1/16,000s, beneficial when discretion or shutter shock is a concern.

• GM5: Offers a more modest 5.8 fps burst, adequate for casual shooting but less forgiving for rapid sequences. Its shutter speed range is 60-1/500s mechanical, with electronic shutter options reaching 1/16,000s as well.

In my experience, the LX100 II is better suited to fast-paced scenarios where frame rate and silence matter - such as candid street photography or informal event shooting.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Power on the Go

Battery endurance can be a limiting factor for travel photographers or long shoots without recharging options.

• LX100 II: Rated at about 340 shots per charge, which is quite decent but may require spares for serious use. It utilizes the DMW-BLE9 lithium-ion battery with USB charging support, adding convenience for travel.

• GM5: Offers around 220 shots per battery, significantly lower than LX100 II, which could constrain longer days out shooting. It uses the DMW-BLH7 battery and lacks USB charging, requiring dedicated chargers or extras.

Both use a single SD card slot supporting SDHC and SDXC formats, but only the LX100 II supports UHS-I speeds, helpful for faster data transfers and video recording.

Video Capabilities: UHD and Beyond

Video performance is increasingly important, especially for hybrid shooters or content creators.

• LX100 II: Offers 4K UHD video recording at 30p, 100 Mbps bitrate in MP4 (H.264) format, with support for 4K Photo mode capturing 4K bursts for extracting stills. Optical image stabilization within the body/lens combo helps reduce shake. However, there are no microphone or headphone jacks, limiting pro audio options.

• GM5: Features Full HD 1080p up to 60p, falling short of 4K, which may limit appeal for modern videographers. No in-body image stabilization or advanced video features are present. It supports external mics via hot shoe but lacks dedicated ports.

For creators wanting sharp, high-res video with flexibility, the LX100 II is clearly the more future-proof choice.

Photography in Action: How These Cameras Perform Across Genres

Now let’s delve into how each camera fares in critical photography genres - based on a combination of spec evaluation and my hands-on testing across different environments.

Portrait Photography: Rendering Skin Tones and Bokeh

Portraiture demands accurate skin tones, pleasing background blur, and reliable eye detection autofocus.

• LX100 II: The bright fixed lens with f/1.7 aperture at wide end allows shallow depth of field, producing enticing bokeh and subject separation. Its contrast-detect AF with face and eye tracking was consistently reliable in good lighting, though it occasionally hunts in dim environments. Skin tones out of the box were natural and adaptable via Picture Styles.

• GM5: Though lenses like the Leica 25mm f/1.4 paired with the body can produce stunning portraits, the camera’s AF with fewer points and lower face detection effectiveness sometimes forces manual focus in challenging scenarios. The compact design is handy for environmental portraits and street candids but at the cost of some autofocus speed.

Verdict: For casual to serious portraiture with minimal hassle, the LX100 II provides a smoother experience out of the box.

Landscape Photography: Resolution and Dynamic Range

Landscape shooters value high resolution, excellent dynamic range, and weather resistance.

• Both cameras have similar sensor sizes, but the LX100 II’s slightly larger image files (17MP vs 16MP) and newer Venus Engine help pull finer detail and richer dynamic range, especially in RAW. In field conditions, lack of weather sealing on both means extra care is necessary.

• The LX100 II’s wider zoom range starting at 24 mm (equiv.) allows broad vistas without additional lenses.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus Speed and Burst Rates

When tracking moving subjects, camera responsiveness is critical.

• The LX100 II’s 11 fps burst and 49 AF points provide reasonably effective tracking for mid-speed action, though the absence of phase detection means it’s no rival to modern flagship mirrorless.

• The GM5, with slower 5.8 fps and fewer AF points, is a less compelling choice here.

Street and Travel Photography: Discreetness, Size, and Battery

• The GM5 shines for sneaky street shooting due to its diminutive size and light weight. It can be very discreet when paired with small prime lenses.

• The LX100 II is heavier but still reasonably compact given its features. Its better battery life and advanced lens can handle diverse travel scenarios with fewer compromises.

Macro and Night Photography: Focus and High ISO Handling

• Both offer close focusing capabilities: LX100 II’s 3cm macro range excels for detail shots, supported by focus stacking and bracketing.

• High ISO noise levels are manageable on both cameras up to ISO 3200, but the LX100 II’s newer processor gives it a slight edge in low light detail retention.

Professional Work: Reliability and Workflow

• With RAW support, exposure bracketing, silent shutter options, and versatile aspect ratios, the LX100 II integrates well into professional workflows.

• The GM5’s older platform and lower buffer performance make it more suited to enthusiasts or pros needing a small second body.

Panasonic LX100 II front Panasonic LX100 II screen back Panasonic GM5 front Panasonic GM5 screen back

Connectivity and Additional Features

• LX100 II: Includes Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for seamless sharing and remote control - very useful in the field.

• GM5: Has Wi-Fi and NFC, allowing quick phone pairing though lacks Bluetooth.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

So Which One Should You Choose? Targeted Recommendations

You may like the Panasonic LX100 II if you:

• Want an all-in-one compact with great image quality and a bright zoom lens.
• Shoot portraits, landscapes, and casual wildlife with good autofocus speed.
• Need 4K video and advanced photo features baked in.
• Prioritize a high-quality EVF and more manual controls.
• Value image stabilization for hand-held shooting.
• Prefer better battery life for travel.

The Panasonic GM5 is a better fit if you:

• Need the smallest, lightest Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera for street or travel.
• Already own or plan to build a Micro Four Thirds lens kit.
• Prefer manual control and are willing to compromise on autofocus speed.
• Want an affordable entry-level mirrorless body for casual shooting.
• Are less concerned about video specs or image stabilization.
• Prioritize stealth and portability over burst speed.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Portability, Performance, and Flexibility

Having extensively tested both cameras across multiple disciplines, I confirm that while the Panasonic GM5 excels at portability and lens choice flexibility, it lags behind the Panasonic LX100 II in core performance metrics like autofocus speed, burst shooting, EVF quality, and video features. The LX100 II sacrifices some compactness but compensates with an outstanding built-in zoom, improved usability, and powerful imaging specs that will satisfy many enthusiast photographers.

Your decision ultimately narrows to whether you seek a versatile large-sensor compact that performs as a pro’s everyday carry or a nimble mirrorless body that invites lens swapping and lens creativity at the expense of some modern conveniences.

This comprehensive comparison should give you a deeper understanding grounded in practical user testing. Be sure that your choice aligns with your shooting style and priorities, and remember that both Panasonic cameras offer superb entry to mid-level imaging prowess with the trusted reliability of the Lumix line.

Happy shooting!