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Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
91
Imaging
53
Features
62
Overall
56
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Panasonic GM5
(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
  • Announced September 2014
  • Replaced the Panasonic GM1
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Panasonic GM5 versus Panasonic SZ1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are sold by Panasonic. The resolution of the GM5 (16MP) and the SZ1 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the GM5 (Four Thirds) and SZ1 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The GM5 was manufactured 2 years after the SZ1 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GM5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera.

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the GM5 matches up against the SZ1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GM5 over the Panasonic SZ1

 GM5 SZ1 
AnnouncedSeptember 2014January 2012Newer by 33 months
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic GM5

 SZ1 GM5 

Common features in the Panasonic GM5 and Panasonic SZ1

 GM5 SZ1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GM5 comes with physical dimensions of 99mm x 60mm x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 211 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ1 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic GM5 versus Panasonic SZ1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at the time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the GM5 compared to the SZ1.

Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the GM5 and SZ1 is 91 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions only by checking specs. The picture here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the GM5 and SZ1.

All in all, both the cameras enjoy the same exact MP albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The GM5 has the bigger sensor which should make getting shallow depth of field simpler. The newer GM5 is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography factors
71
you can focus manually
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
34
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Street photography advice
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography advice
76
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
offers focus via touch
lighter than average in class (211g)
very good high ISO (25,600)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (131 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Sports photography factors
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography factors
48
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/500s)
max frames per second low (5.8 frames per second)
no image stabilization
terrible battery pack (220 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GM5 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Travel photography camera
71
lighter than average in class (211g)
offers focus via touch
decent MP (16 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (220 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
lighter than competitors (131 grams)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
does not have Timelapse function
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography highlights
69
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
terrible battery pack (220 CIPA)
43
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GM5 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Vlogging camera
34
touch screen
comes with face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (211g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
no microphone port
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than competitors (131g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone support
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Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GM5 and Panasonic SZ1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2014-09-15 2012-01-09
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4592 x 3448 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 4cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/500 secs 1/1600 secs
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 5.8fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 211 gr (0.47 lb) 131 gr (0.29 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 60 x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 721 not tested
Other
Battery life 220 pictures 250 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DMW-BLH7 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $966 $179