Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GM5
95 Imaging
34 Features
14 Overall
26


91 Imaging
53 Features
62 Overall
56
Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GM5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
- Introduced April 2009
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 211g - 99 x 60 x 36mm
- Released September 2014
- Superseded the Panasonic GM1

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GM5 Overview
In this write-up, we will be comparing the Panasonic FS12 versus Panasonic GM5, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are created by Panasonic. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the FS12 (12MP) and GM5 (16MP) and the FS12 (1/2.3") and GM5 (Four Thirds) use different sensor dimensions.

The FS12 was released 6 years before the GM5 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic GM5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summation of how the FS12 scores versus the GM5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GM5 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5. The complete galleries are viewable at Panasonic FS12 Gallery and Panasonic GM5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Panasonic GM5
FS12 | GM5 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic GM5 over the Panasonic FS12
GM5 | FS12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | September 2014 | ![]() | April 2009 | Newer by 65 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+691k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Panasonic GM5
FS12 | GM5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen |
Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GM5 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to travel with your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FS12 has got outside measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Panasonic GM5 has proportions of 99mm x 60mm x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 211 grams (0.47 lbs).
Contrast the Panasonic FS12 versus Panasonic GM5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at the time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the FS12 against the GM5.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the FS12 and GM5 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GM5 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor dimensions purely by checking a spec sheet. The pic underneath will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the FS12 and GM5.
Clearly, each of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The FS12 due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic GM5 will resolve extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged FS12 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GM5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GM5 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Panasonic | Panasonic |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 |
Type | Ultracompact | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2009-04-17 | 2014-09-15 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Venus Engine |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4592 x 3448 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 25600 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 200 |
RAW pictures | ||
Minimum enhanced ISO | - | 100 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Micro Four Thirds |
Lens focal range | 31-124mm (4.0x) | - |
Largest aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | - |
Macro focus range | 5cm | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 107 |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,166 thousand dot |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.46x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 60 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/500 secs |
Fastest quiet shutter speed | - | 1/16000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 2.0 frames/s | 5.8 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 6.30 m | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync | Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 129 gr (0.28 lb) | 211 gr (0.47 lb) |
Dimensions | 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") | 99 x 60 x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 66 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.1 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.7 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 721 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 220 pictures |
Battery format | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | DMW-BLH7 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $228 | $966 |