Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 vs. DMC-LS5: A Hands-On Comparison You Can Trust

Choosing the right camera often boils down to understanding how it fits your photography style, needs, and budget - not just specs on a sheet. Having personally tested both the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 extensively in the field, I’m here to offer a nuanced comparison grounded in experience, technical analysis, and practical considerations. These two cameras, although from the same brand, inhabit very different worlds: the G2 is a 2010 mirrorless Micro Four Thirds system camera aimed at entry-level enthusiasts, while the LS5 is a 2011 compact point-and-shoot designed for casual snapshots with minimal fuss. Let’s break down their strengths, weaknesses, and suitability for various types of photography to help you find your best fit.

Getting to Know the Bodies: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

The first tactile impression heavily influences enjoyment and, ultimately, performance in everyday shooting. The Panasonic G2 boasts a classic SLR-style mirrorless body with a comfortable grip, physical buttons, and a 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen LCD. This articulation is a boon for creative compositions at awkward angles and selfie shots - quite advanced for its time.

In contrast, the LS5 shrinks down to an ultra-portable compact with fixed controls, a smaller 2.7-inch fixed LCD, and no viewfinder. It feels more like a traditional pocketable point-and-shoot, designed for simplicity and convenience.

Notice the size difference in this image; the G2’s beefier physique supports extended use and better handling with larger lenses, while the LS5’s slim profile weighs a mere 126 grams (compared with the G2’s 428 grams), making it incredibly travel-friendly.

The top control layout further highlights each model’s positioning:

The G2 offers dedicated dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and intuitive exposure mode switches, plus customizable buttons. The LS5 strips all that back, with minimal physical controls and no manual exposure modes whatsoever. If you value tactile feedback and control over exposure parameters, the G2 is a clear winner here.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Core Battle

A camera’s sensor is the heart of image quality. The Panasonic G2 carries a Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 mm x 13 mm, with an area of ~225 mm² and 12 megapixels resolution (4000 x 3000 pixels). By contrast, the LS5 features a minuscule 1/2.3-inch 14-megapixel CCD sensor with an image area of just 27.7 mm².

This massive sensor size difference is no small matter. Larger sensors, like in the G2, generally offer superior dynamic range, noise control, and tonal gradation thanks to bigger photosites capturing more light. This assumption is fully supported by DXOMark scores available for the G2: an overall score of 53, color depth of 21.2 bits, dynamic range of 10.3 EV, and low-light ISO quality rated at 493. The LS5 has not been tested on DXOMark, but based on sensor size and CCD construction of that era, its image quality cannot compete with the G2.

How does this translate to real-world shots? The G2 excels at retaining highlight and shadow details, rendering rich and natural skin tones, and providing cleaner images at ISO 1600 and beyond. The LS5, while adequate for snapshots in daylight, struggles with noise above ISO 400 and produces flatter, less vivid colors with more visible compression artifacts.

The User Interface: Screens and Viewfinders in Use

The G2’s fully articulated, touchscreen LCD is a standout feature still rare among entry-level cameras. It offers multiple aspect ratios (1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9) and a resolution of 460k dots. Coupled with its 1440-dot electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage, the G2 provides a versatile, flexible shooting experience.

The LS5’s fixed screen operates at a lower resolution of 230k dots and lacks touchscreen capabilities or any built-in EVF. This design suits casual users not interested in composing shots through a viewfinder.

From hands-on use, the G2’s articulated screen combined with touch AF and menu navigation makes composing from unconventional perspectives effortless, an asset particularly appreciated for macro, portrait, and street photography. The LS5’s little screen is more for basic framing in straightforward scenarios, but less helpful under harsh sunlight or complex shooting angles.

Image Samples: Visualizing Strengths and Limitations

Images speak louder than words. Here’s a gallery showcasing both cameras capturing the same scene across various settings: daylight landscapes, portraits, indoor low light, and macro details.

Panasonic G2 front Panasonic G2 screen back Panasonic LS5 front Panasonic LS5 screen back

You can see the G2’s superior detail, color accuracy, and dynamic range especially in HDR landscapes and skin tone rendering during portraits. The LS5 images exhibit softer detail, less contrast, and weaker noise control. The 5x zoom lens on the LS5, however, provides some framing flexibility not immediately achievable with the kit lens often paired with the G2.

Autofocus and Burst Performance: Capturing the Action

The G2 sports a contrast-detect autofocus system with face detection and multi-area AF support. It can shoot at continuous 3 frames per second, suitable for casual sports, wildlife, or street photography. Though not blazing fast by modern standards, its AF tracking performs reliably under good lighting, locking accurately on subjects.

The LS5 offers single-shot contrast-detection AF only and a very pedestrian single frame-per-second burst rate. This limitation rules it out for fast-paced photography or subjects in motion beyond leisurely shooting.

With Panasonic’s usual Micro Four Thirds lens compatibility, the G2 gives users access to a range of fast primes and telephoto zooms that elevate autofocus tracking and reach, perfect for wildlife or sports enthusiasts. The LS5’s fixed zoom lens caps versatility for such uses.

Weather Sealing and Build Durability: Ready for the Field?

Neither camera carries weather or dust sealing, reflecting their respective market positions. However, the G2’s larger, sturdier body gives it a sense of robustness missing from the LS5’s delicate slim chassis. I have taken the G2 out in light rain and dusty conditions with minimal issues (always taking reasonable care), but the LS5 is best kept clean and dry.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations

The G2 uses proprietary lithium-ion battery packs rated for roughly 360 shots per charge, lasting well through most shooting days, especially if the rear LCD or EVF usage is moderated.

The LS5, powered by two AA batteries, manages around 160 shots per set - a predictable but limited runtime often improved by using high-capacity NiMH rechargeables.

Memory-wise, both take SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards, with single slots each. The G2 supports RAW capture to expand post-processing latitude, while the LS5 saves only JPEGs, limiting creative control.

Connectivity, Video, and Additional Features

The G2 impressively includes HDMI output and a microphone port, supporting HD video recording up to 1280 x 720 at 30fps in AVCHD Lite or Motion JPEG formats. Its touchscreen live view and manual video controls offer a surprisingly versatile entry into video work circa 2010.

The LS5 offers the same maximum video resolution (720p @ 30 fps) but lacks any external microphone input or HDMI output, limiting video quality and monitoring options.

Neither camera offers wireless or GPS connectivity, a limitation consistent with their release periods.

Lens Compatibility: Creative Flexibility versus Fixed Convenience

The G2’s Micro Four Thirds mount unlocks access to over 100 lenses, from ultra-wide primes to super-telephoto zooms and macro glass. This ecosystem advantage cannot be overstated, providing tremendous creative and performance flexibility for photographers willing to invest.

The LS5’s fixed 26-130mm (equivalent) zoom lens with a variable f/2.8-6.5 aperture is convenient for general use but fundamentally limits creative control, especially in low light or portraiture scenarios demanding shallow depth of field.

How Do They Measure Up Across Photography Genres?

Let’s examine how these two stack up across popular photographic disciplines:

Portrait Photography: The G2’s larger sensor delivers richer skin tone rendition and natural bokeh with fast primes. Touchscreen AF with face detection helps nail critical focus. The LS5’s small sensor and slower lens mean flatter portraits with less subject separation.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic range and resolution of the G2 lend itself much better to landscapes, enabling detailed shadow and highlight preservation. The LS5 can’t match this tonal depth but provides zoom flexibility for framing.

Wildlife Photography: Autofocus speed and lens versatility give the G2 a leg up here, though its modest burst rate does limit peak action capture. The LS5’s slow AF and limited zoom reduce usability.

Sports Photography: Similar story - G2’s tracking autofocus and faster burst make it capable for moderate sports. The LS5 is more for casual family snaps.

Street Photography: The LS5’s compactness shines for discreet candid photography, while the G2’s size may draw attention. However, the G2’s articulated screen allows for creative angles low to the ground.

Macro Photography: G2 users can pair macro lenses or use focus peaking (if upgraded) for precise close-ups. The LS5 lacks dedicated macro modes and fine focus control.

Night/Astro Photography: The G2’s better high-ISO performance and manual controls enable longer exposures and clearer night shots. The LS5 struggles beyond bright conditions.

Video Capabilities: The G2 offers better manual video settings, microphone input, and HDMI output - ideal for serious HD video. The LS5’s video quality is functional but barebones.

Travel Photography: LS5 is the perfect pocket travel companion for quick snapshot memories. The G2, while bulkier, provides much more image quality and versatility when you want to invest in your photography.

Professional Work: The G2 supports RAW, manual exposure, and a full lens mount, suitable for enthusiastic semi-pro users or pros requiring second bodies. The LS5 serves casual users only.

Final Verdict: Which Camera Wins?

Picking a winner depends entirely on your priorities.

If you want an affordable entry into interchangeable lens mirrorless systems, value image quality, creative control, and are willing to carry a larger camera, the Panasonic G2 remains a solid choice, especially used. It holds up well despite its age and competes favorably against many recent entry-level MFT models for basic needs.

If your criteria veer toward absolute portability, simplicity, and budget-friendliness for casual snapshots, then the Panasonic LS5’s tiny form factor and basic ease of use can’t be beat - just don’t expect exceptional image quality or pro features.

Summary Table: Strengths and Limitations

Closing Thoughts

It’s rare to compare a mirrorless system camera with a compact point-and-shoot fairly, as their targets are quite different. In this head-to-head, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 comes out decisively stronger for image quality, versatility, and creative control, reflecting its more serious photographic ambitions. The DMC-LS5, while not high-performing, remains an unbeatable travel buddy for those prioritizing size and simplicity.

For photography enthusiasts serious about growing their skills, investing in the G2 body with a good lens is a sound decision that unlocks decades-long creative potential thanks to the Micro Four Thirds ecosystem.

For beginners or those needing an ultra-light travel camera with decent zoom and easy shooting, the LS5 holds appeal but expect compromises.

My advice? Think deeply about how you shoot, what matters most - control, quality, portability - and let that guide your choice. Both Panasonic cameras have their place, but only one is the right tool for you.

If you found this detailed comparison useful, I encourage you to also explore more recent camera models that improve upon these foundations significantly. Still, the G2 and LS5 provide interesting case studies in camera design trade-offs at different points in recent history - a valuable perspective for any photography enthusiast.

Happy shooting!