Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic GM5: The Ultracompact Meets the Mirrorless

When it comes to choosing a camera, the market offers a dizzying array stretching from simple point-and-shoots to powerful professional mirrorless bodies. Today, I’m diving deep into a comparison that bridges an interesting technological and generational gap: Panasonic’s 2010 Lumix DMC-FP1 ultracompact versus the 2014 Lumix DMC-GM5 entry-level mirrorless. Both cameras come from the same brand but land at opposite ends of the enthusiast spectrum in design, capability, and sheer photographic ambition.

Having spent countless hours behind viewfinders and reviewing cameras across all genres, I find these two models offer more than just nostalgia or curiosity - they serve as touchstones for understanding how camera design philosophy and technology evolved within Panasonic’s lineup over four years. So, let me take you through all the quirks, capabilities, and trade-offs with my seasoned photographer’s eye, peppered with real-world experience and technical analysis.

Size and Ergonomics: Pocket-Ready vs Rangefinder Chic

First impressions matter, and the physical form factor is where these two clearly part ways. The Panasonic FP1 is an ultracompact marvel - tiny, lightweight (just 151g), and designed for those who want a camera that slips effortlessly into any pocket. It's a decidedly simple, fixed-lens camera with a slim 19mm thickness, measuring roughly 99x59x19 mm. You can barely tell it’s there, which is perfect for street photography or just casual everyday carry without bulk.

By contrast, the GM5 is a slightly heftier rangefinder-style mirrorless camera, weighing 211g and measuring 99x60x36 mm. It’s still compact, especially for a Micro Four Thirds system camera, but there’s no hiding it in your jeans. What you get here, however, is a design language more aligned with traditional enthusiasts - manual dial controls, a prominent grip, and superior build ergonomics. The GM5’s physical form factors lend themselves to more serious handheld use where tactile control really matters; something I missed a bit with the minimalistic FP1.

So, if you prize ultimate portability and a no-fuss form factor, FP1 wins the size battle. But the GM5’s ergonomics provide comfort and control - an important consideration for longer shoots or more deliberate photography styles.

Controls and Usability: A Tale of Two User Experiences

The FP1 is very basic: no manual exposure modes, no configurable buttons, no viewfinder, and only a rudimentary 2.7-inch fixed LCD screen. It operates primarily on automatic or semi-automatic modes, which means the camera does most of the thinking for you. This can be a blessing for casual shooters, but for enthusiasts like us who enjoy crafting exposure and autofocus decisions, it feels limiting.

The GM5, on the other hand, packs a classic enthusiast’s control set: manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual exposure modes are all present. The presence of an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 100% coverage and a respectable 1,166K dot resolution is a hugely beneficial addition for composition, especially in bright daylight or fast-moving situations.

The GM5 also boasts a 3-inch touchscreen with 921K resolution and live view with touch focus capabilities - something sorely lacking on the FP1. Moreover, it has built-in wireless connectivity and NFC for easier photo transfer, plus support for external flashes thanks to a hot shoe leash (or rather mount). The FP1 has no such flexibility.

The learning curve and creative potential of the GM5’s controls are significantly higher, but the FP1 rewards those who want immediacy and simplicity. For photographers who relish tweaking every setting, the GM5 clearly edge ahead.

Sensor Technologies: Bridging Two Generations

Now, to one of the most fundamental components influencing image quality - sensor technology.

The FP1 uses a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with around 12 megapixels. This small sensor measures 6.08x4.56 mm, translating to a roughly 27.7 mm² area. It’s a format familiar to most compact cameras of the early 2010s, adequate for snapshots but limited in dynamic range, noise performance, and depth control. The maximum native ISO stops at 6400, but realistically usable ISO tops out lower due to noise.

Conversely, the GM5 adopts a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) 16-megapixel CMOS sensor sized 17.3x13 mm with an area of 224.90 mm² - over eight times the surface area of the FP1 sensor. This is a game changer in terms of image quality, particularly in low light, dynamic range, and color depth. The MFT sensor also supports native ISO up to 25600 and offers RAW file support, giving photographers extensive post-processing latitude.

These sensor size and tech differences are pivotal. Larger sensor equals larger pixels (usually), which means better light-gathering ability, cleaner images in dim environments, and more nuanced skin tones - critical for portrait and professional work.

Image Quality Realities: Portraits, Landscapes, and More

From my extensive testing, the GM5’s sensor will produce images that are noticeably sharper, cleaner, and more versatile. The FP1’s limitations become evident quickly when shooting portraits - skin tones tend to be flatter with less color gradation and tonal depth due to the CCD’s sensor tech and JPEG-only capture. Absence of RAW support means you’re locked in to whatever the camera’s processor (Venus Engine IV) outputs, limiting dynamic range recovery or specialized color grading.

The GM5, with its 16MP CMOS sensor and RAW capability, allows for richer bokeh when paired with fast MFT lenses, delivering smooth subject isolation - great for portraiture. It also does a better job with eye-detection autofocus (though no advanced animal eye detection here).

Landscapes are another arena where the sensor size differential shines. The GM5’s wider dynamic range of roughly 12 stops ensures you retain detail in shadows and highlights - a must for sweeping vistas or HDR workflows. The FP1, by contrast, sometimes clips highlight details in bright skies due to narrower dynamic range and the small sensor. And while FP1 has a 4x zoom lens (35-140mm equivalent), image quality suffers notably at the telephoto end, especially when compared with pairing a GM5 body with top-tier MFT primes or zooms.

Live View and LCD Screens: Interaction Matters

On that front, I found the GM5’s 3-inch, 921K dot touchscreen vastly superior in terms of viewing comfort, focusing, and navigating menus compared to the FP1’s more diminutive 2.7-inch 230K LCD.

The FP1’s fixed, non-touch LCD pales next to modern expectations. Live view focusing, while available, is sluggish due to contrast-detection autofocus and the limited processor. The low resolution makes assessing sharpness on the LCD dicey in bright conditions.

The GM5’s touchscreen makes composing more fluid. It also supports touch focus, which accelerates focus acquisition especially when working with manual exposure modes. For street, landscape, or macro shooting, these enhancements translate directly to faster and more accurate shot setups - a huge practical advantage in the field.

Autofocus Systems: Snappy or Snail?

Autofocus technology offers a telling snapshot of each camera’s intended use. The FP1’s fixed lens camera relies strictly on contrast-detection autofocus with nine focus points and no face or eye detection. This means hunting for focus was routine in lower contrast scenarios or dynamic action.

The GM5, although lacking phase-detect autofocus, incorporates an improved contrast-detection system with 23 focus points and face detection capabilities. It also can track moving subjects better, benefiting sports and wildlife photography - within limits, of course. No animal-eye AF here, but for a camera this size and price point it’s commendable.

Continuous autofocus works better on the GM5 and the camera complements this with faster shutter speeds - up to 1/16000s via electronic shutter - which help freeze motion even in bright light. FP1 caps out at a modest 1/1600s mechanical shutter, limiting action capture ability.

Video Capabilities: Casual Clips vs Full HD Creativity

Video shooters will find the GM5 leaps ahead. FP1 maxes out at 720p HD video at 30fps in Motion JPEG format - a relatively crude codec consuming loads of storage and limiting post production flexibility.

The GM5 offers full 1080p HD video recording at multiple frame rates up to 60p in MPEG-4 and AVCHD codecs, supporting smoother motion and better compression. Although there is no microphone input for external audio gear nor headphone monitoring, the video specs and manual exposure controls open doors for creative videography - something impossible on the FP1.

Lens and System Versatility: Fixed vs Expandable

One of the big game changers comes down to “glass.” The FP1’s built-in lens (35-140mm equivalent, F3.5-5.9) is simple to operate but fixed forever in your kit. It provides no option for swapping to wider, faster, or macro lenses. Expect compromises in versatility, speed, and optical quality.

GM5 utilizes the hugely popular Micro Four Thirds mount, granting access to over 100 lenses - from ultra wide to super telephoto, fast primes to specialized macro optics. This ecosystem alone increases the GM5’s lifespan and adaptability across every photography discipline - from sharp landscapes to intimate macro or fast action.

Durability and Weather Resistance: Everyday Use Considerations

Neither camera offers weather sealing, which is typical at their price and class levels. Both require care in adverse weather, though the GM5’s build quality - solid but lightweight magnesium alloy - feels more robust in-hand. The FP1 feels a bit plasticky in comparison.

So if you want rugged reliability for professional or outdoor conditions, these cameras don’t fully deliver, though the GM5 is the more serious performer overall.

Battery Life and Storage: When Power Matters

Battery life is another aspect where the GM5 excels. It delivers approximately 220 shots per charge, while the FP1 lacks official detailed specs, but anecdotal reporting suggests lower endurance given its small battery.

Both rely on SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with the GM5 handling faster card speeds ideal for HD video and continuous shooting bursts.

Panasonic FP1 front Panasonic FP1 screen back Panasonic GM5 front Panasonic GM5 screen back

Let’s Talk About Results: Sample Images Side-by-Side

In practical shooting conditions - be it portraits, landscape, or street - the GM5 routinely produces images with markedly better detail, wider tonal range, and cleaner high ISO freedom. The FP1 images look flatter, sometimes softer due to sensor and lens limits.

For casual holiday snaps or social media sharing, the FP1 can still deliver charming results in good light, especially if you prioritize pocketability. But when printing larger or editing images, the GM5’s files stand out.

The lack of RAW support restricted post-processing on the FP1, which long-term reduces its appeal for enthusiasts or pro-level users.

Performance Ratings: How Do They Stack Up Numerically?

Although the FP1 was not tested by DXOMark, the GM5 scores a respectable 66 overall with 22.1 color depth, 11.7 dynamic range, and a low-light ISO performance of 721. In contrast, modern mirrorless cameras routinely outpace these numbers, but compared to simple compacts like the FP1, the GM5 holds a significant quality advantage.

Specialized Performance Across Photography Genres

• Portraits: GM5 is a clear winner with better skin tone rendering and depth control thanks to larger sensor and RAW support.
• Landscapes: GM5 delivers superior dynamic range and resolution; FP1 struggles with highlights and limited ISO.
• Wildlife/Sports: FP1 lacks continuous AF and fast burst; GM5’s 5.8 fps and better AF tracking make action shots feasible, but still limited compared to pro-level cameras.
• Street: FP1’s pocketable size offers stealth, but GM5’s superior IQ justifies the slightly larger footprint.
• Macro: GM5 combined with dedicated macro lenses outperforms FP1’s fixed lens and minimum focus of 10cm.
• Night/Astro: GM5 has better high ISO, longer exposures (up to 60s), and manual modes; FP1 limited shutter speed and ISO restrict possibilities.
• Video: Full HD 60p vs 720p MJPEG; no contest in favor of GM5.
• Travel: FP1 shines for ultra-light carry, but GM5 has more flexibility through interchangeable lenses and better controls.
• Professional work: GM5’s RAW, manual controls, and lens options make it viable for entry-level pros; FP1 is a casual snapshot tool.

Wrapping Up: Which Should You Pick?

Here’s the cold, seasoned photographer’s truth: The Panasonic FP1 is perfect if you want a tiny, simple camera that requires zero learning curve and just snaps decent shots - good for casual users or as a lightweight backup for travelers.

However, if you aim to grow your photography skills, need image quality that holds up to prints and edits, want manual control, or plan to shoot across genres - portrait, landscape, street, or video - the Panasonic GM5 wins hands down. It offers a genuine mirrorless experience, starting a foot on the enthusiast ladder without breaking the bank or the back.

Final Thoughts with a Dose of Reality

Despite GM5’s definite advantages, keep in mind it’s a camera that’s already years old today and lacks features like in-body image stabilization (IBIS), 4K video, or pro-grade autofocus. But in its day, it was a gem in offering serious photographic tools in a pocketable MFT body.

Meanwhile, the FP1 is a snapshot of the era when ultracompacts ruled as “grab-and-go” but before mirrorless innovation took off.

For my fellow photography enthusiasts reading this: if you can swing it, the GM5 will be the better investment for expanding your creative arsenal. But if your phone or latest inexpensive compact is better than the FP1’s output nowadays, consider it a novelty or second camera rather than a primary workhorse.

Thank you for joining me in this deep dive. I hope the blend of hands-on experience, technical insight, and practical considerations helps you make a confident choice tailored to your photographic passions and budget.

Happy shooting!