Clicky

Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic S2

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
54
Overall
50
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic S2 Key Specs

Panasonic GF5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 267g - 108 x 67 x 37mm
  • Released April 2012
  • Replaced the Panasonic GF3
  • Updated by Panasonic GF6
Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2012
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic S2 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic S2, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both created by Panasonic. The resolution of the GF5 (12MP) and the S2 (14MP) is pretty similar but the GF5 (Four Thirds) and S2 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizing.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The GF5 was manufactured 3 months later than the S2 so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GF5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S2 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the GF5 grades versus the S2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF5 over the Panasonic S2

 GF5 S2 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Panasonic GF5

 S2 GF5 

Common features in the Panasonic GF5 and Panasonic S2

 GF5 S2 
IntroducedApril 2012January 2012Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GF5 offers external measurements of 108mm x 67mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") along with a weight of 267 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Panasonic S2 has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic S2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the GF5 compared to the S2.

Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GF5 and S2 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing merely by reviewing specifications. The visual underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the GF5 and S2.

Plainly, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The GF5 because of its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Panasonic S2 will offer greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots way more aggressively.

Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GF5
Portrait photography with Panasonic S2
55
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
supports RAW formats
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
33
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Panasonic GF5 Street photography info
Panasonic S2 Street photography info
70
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
includes touch to focus
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (112 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF5 Sports photography features
Panasonic S2 Sports photography features
40
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
slow fps (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect auto focus
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
great battery power (280 per charge)
max fps low (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GF5
Travel photography with Panasonic S2
61
includes touch to focus
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
70
great battery power (280 shots)
lighter than competitors (112g)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF5 Landscape photography features
Panasonic S2 Landscape photography features
59
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
41
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
great battery power (280 per charge)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF5 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic S2 as a Vlogging camera
32
screen is touchscreen
features face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external mic port
32
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than competitors (112 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic socket
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF5 and Panasonic S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-04-05 2012-01-09
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.30 m 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 267 gr (0.59 lbs) 112 gr (0.25 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 67 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 50 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 573 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 shots 280 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $600 $109