Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic TS20: A Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing between cameras from the same brand yet so fundamentally different can feel perplexing. On one hand, you have the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 (GM5), a 2014 entry-level mirrorless that punches above its size, boasting solid manual controls and a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) sensor. On the other, the rugged Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS20 (TS20), a 2012 waterproof compact designed for casual shooters prioritizing durability over refinement.

Having tested thousands of cameras over more than 15 years - ranging from large-format beasts to tiny travel cams - I’m here to help you parse how these two Panasonics compare across real-world use and disciplines, from portraits to wildlife, street photography to video, and beyond. Both cameras carved different niches in their eras. Let’s break down what still holds up and where compromises demand your attention.

Design and Ergonomics: Pocketable vs. Purposeful Ruggedness

Right off the bat, size and handling set these two worlds apart.

• The GM5 is a compact rangefinder-style mirrorless with surprisingly refined ergonomics despite its petite 99x60x36mm shell. It weighs a light 211 grams body-only, feels solid, and offers a thoughtfully laid-out interface. Its rangefinder styling includes a bright electronic viewfinder (EVF) and a 3-inch 921k-dot touchscreen that I found responsive and useful during live view or playback.

• The TS20, although smaller (101x58x19 mm) and lighter (142 grams), is a straightforward fixed-lens compact designed to withstand the elements: waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof. Think of a camera that’s more “grab and go” for adventure than fine control.

Comparing their top views, the GM5’s control dials and buttons offer traditional photographic versatility, while the TS20’s minimal buttons reflect its casual simplicity.

The GM5’s refined control scheme suits those who want quick access to exposure modes, ISO, and focusing options. With the TS20, you’re mainly dealing with full auto modes and simplified shooting; nothing manual or semi-manual here.

Recommendation: If you value tactile feedback and control, GM5 is more satisfying. TS20 wins if you need a rugged, hassle-free shooter for outdoor mishaps.

Sensor and Image Quality: Large vs. Small, Quality vs. Convenience

A major difference is sensor technology and size. The GM5 uses a 16MP MFT sensor measuring approximately 17.3 x 13 mm (224.9 mm² sensor area), while the TS20’s sensor is a much smaller 1/2.3" CCD of 6.08 x 4.56 mm (27.7 mm² area), also 16MP.

What does that mean practically? Larger sensor = better image quality, dynamic range, and low-light capability. The GM5’s Four Thirds sensor enables better noise control, richer color depth, and more effective shallow depth of field control compared to the TS20’s tiny sensor chip.

The GM5’s DxOMark scores reinforce this superiority: excellent dynamic range (~11.7 EV) and color depth (22.1 bits), with usable ISO extending to 25600 native (ISO 200–25600 range, starting at ISO 200) vs. the TS20’s max ISO of 6400, and notably noisier results.

In real shooting, you’ll find the GM5 produces noticeably cleaner files with finer detail in shadows and highlights, while the TS20 shoots passable daylight snaps but quickly struggles once light dims.

Bottom line: For image quality obsessed, GM5 is the clear choice. For casual snaps in bright conditions, TS20 suffices.

Display and User Interface: Touch and Resolution vs. Simplicity

The GM5 features a 3-inch, 921k-dot touchscreen LCD allowing quick focus point selection and menu navigation. The touch functionality complements the EVF, creating a versatile live-view experience.

The TS20 comes with a smaller 2.7-inch 230k-dot TFT LCD without touchscreen or electronic viewfinder. This screen is less vibrant and harder to judge critical focus or exposure.

If you’re used to easily adjusting settings, framing with touch focus, and reviewing with confidence, the GM5’s interface feels considerably more modern and flexible.

Autofocus and Shooting Responsiveness: Speed and Accuracy Battle

The GM5 incorporates a contrast-detection autofocus system with 23 focus points and face detection. It supports AF tracking, continuous AF, and touch AF. Although lacking phase detection, the autofocus is responsive for its class and effective for still subjects and some action.

The TS20’s AF is fixed-lens contrast detection, limited to center-weighted focus with fewer customization options. It tends toward slower lock times, particularly in lower light, and no face detection.

Burst shooting reflects this: the GM5 can shoot at 5.8 fps, suitable for casual action shots and some wildlife sequences; the TS20 offers a sluggish 1 fps, limiting its usability for anything requiring speed.

Ready for Portraits? Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

Thanks to the larger sensor and compatibility with interchangeable MFT lenses, the GM5 is far better suited for portraiture. You can pair it with fast primes like Panasonic’s 25mm f/1.7 or Olympus’s 45mm f/1.8 to achieve shallow depth of field and creamy bokeh. Its color rendition is natural and skin tones rich, especially with RAW processing flexibility.

The TS20’s small sensor and slow fixed lens (f/3.9-f/5.7) result in deeper depth of field, making background separation challenging. Skin tones tend to be flat and less nuanced, without RAW support to refine post-capture.

The GM5 supports face detection autofocus, which helps keep eyes sharp - a huge advantage during portraits. TS20 lacks face and eye AF.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather Readiness

For landscapes, the dynamic range and resolution of the GM5 deliver more latitude to capture subtle tones in skies and foliage, especially shooting RAW and applying highlight recovery.

The TS20’s sensor size and dynamic range limit its ability here, and while 16MP is similar nominal resolution, not all megapixels are equal. The GM5’s files hold up better in enlarged prints.

However, where the TS20 shines is in its built-in waterproofing and shock resistance - a significant benefit when hiking in variable weather or near water. The GM5 lacks any environmental sealing, necessitating caution outdoors.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus Tracking and Burst Rates

Wildlife and sports demand fast and accurate autofocus, rapid frame rates, and long reach lenses.

• The GM5’s autofocus system, although contrast-based, gets the job done for casual wildlife. Its 5.8 fps burst allows capturing moments within reason, and attaching telephoto MFT lenses with native stabilization helps composition.

• The TS20 falls short here due to its slow 1 fps burst and slower AF. Its 25-100mm equivalent lens maxes out at f/5.7, struggling to isolate subjects or freeze fast movement effectively.

Street and Travel Photography: Discretion and Portability

Street photographers often want small, discreet cameras that react quickly and shoot silently.

The GM5 is punchy, but arguably less pocketable than the TS20, which slips easily into a jacket pocket and can weather rain, dust or drops without worry. The GM5 demands more care but rewards with superior image quality and control.

Battery life favors the TS20 (250 shots per charge vs. GM5’s 220) marginally, but both expect spare batteries during full travel-days.

Next, connectivity: the GM5 includes built-in wireless (Wi-Fi with NFC), aiding quick sharing or remote control via smartphone apps - a big plus nowadays. The TS20 lacks any wireless features.

Macro and Close-Up Work: Magnification and Focus Precision

Neither camera offers dedicated macro capabilities or focus bracketing/stacking, but:

• The TS20 can focus down to 5cm in macro mode, convenient for close shots on the fly, but limited depth and image detail due to sensor constraints.

• The GM5, with select macro-focused MFT lenses, delivers finer sharpness, more control, and better bokeh.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Freedom

The GM5’s higher native ISO ceiling and lower noise make it usable for night scenes and even some amateur astrophotography. Its manual exposure modes allow timing long exposures manually or with a remote shutter - key for star trails or nightscapes.

TS20’s ISO performance and exposure control are more limited; longest shutter speed is 8 seconds (max), with no manual aperture or shutter priority modes. Also, no RAW files, which limits image quality control in post.

Video Capabilities: Specs and Stabilization

The GM5 shoots Full HD 1080p video at up to 60fps using AVCHD or MPEG-4, with a microphone input missing, but decent video quality and focusing flexibility.

The TS20 only offers 720p at 30fps, with no external mic support, and modest video quality reflecting its compact snapshot nature.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Durable vs. Delicate

A significant practical consideration: the TS20 is ruggedized for waterproofing up to 7m, freezeproof, dustproof, and shockproof - features unmatched by the GM5, which has no environmental resistance. If your activity profile includes beaches, pools, or snowy adventures where drops or splashes are likely, the TS20 is your go-to.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

The GM5’s Micro Four Thirds mount opens access to one of the richest lens ecosystems - with over 100 lenses officially available at launch, including primes, zooms, macros, and fast portraits.

The TS20 is a fixed-lens camera with no interchangeable lens option. Its 25-100mm (35mm equivalent) zoom is a basic all-arounder, limited but convenient.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Both cameras rely on SD cards but only the GM5 offers Wi-Fi with NFC. USB 2.0 connectivity is limited on both for transferring files, but the GM5’s wireless features are increasingly important.

Battery-wise, both cameras deliver under 300 shots per charge, typical for small cameras of their generation.

Panasonic GM5 front Panasonic GM5 screen back Panasonic TS20 front Panasonic TS20 screen back

Image Quality Head-to-Head: Sample Shots Tell the Tale

Looking at real-world shots side-by-side, the GM5’s superior sensor delivers cleaner, sharper images with natural colors and depth of field control. The TS20’s images are serviceable but softer, with less dynamic range and color gradation, especially indoors or shadows.

Scores and Performance Overview

When compressing all technical factors - sensor, AF, burst, video, build - the GM5 scores a solid 66 on the DxOMark scale, clearly ahead of the TS20, which was never tested but falls in the basic compact category.

Genre-Specific Suitability Matrix

• Portraits: GM5 superior due to interchangeable fast lenses, face detection, and larger sensor.
• Landscape: GM5 preferred for dynamic range; TS20 for rugged conditions.
• Wildlife/Sports: GM5 manageable; TS20 limited.
• Street: TS20 wins for discretion; GM5 for creativity.
• Macro: GM5 advantage with macro lenses.
• Night/Astro: GM5 capable; TS20 minimal.
• Video: GM5 vastly better.
• Travel: Depends - TS20 for rough terrains, GM5 for image quality.
• Professional work: Only GM5 fits the bill.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

If ultimate image quality, creative control, and optical flexibility matter to you, the Panasonic Lumix GM5 remains a commendable entry-level mirrorless. It offers modern features like an EVF, touch control, Wi-Fi, and a big sensor, enabling aspiring enthusiasts or even professionals on a budget to craft outstanding images.

Conversely, if you want a compact, worry-free waterproof camera to accompany you everywhere - especially outdoors, in wet or dusty environments - the Panasonic TS20 excels. It’s not about fine control or image perfection, but about convenience and endurance for adventures.

Who should buy which?

• Enthusiastic photographers prioritizing quality: Panasonic GM5, paired with a fast prime lens, offers unmatched versatility.
• Casual shooters and adventurers exploring rugged terrain: Panasonic TS20 delivers protection and ease.
• Budget-conscious buyers: TS20 is a steal at sub-$200; GM5, costing around $966 used, demands more investment but pays dividends in performance.
• Video creators: GM5 without question.

I hope this detailed breakdown helps you ask the right questions and prioritize features that align with your photographic inclinations. Both cameras have distinct personalities - your choice hinges on whether you want a refined creative tool or a beat-up-anywhere buddy.

If curious about lens options or settings tweaks on the GM5, or rugged shooting hacks with the TS20, feel free to ask. As always, real-world testing trumps spec sheets, so when possible, try handling these cameras yourself before committing!

Happy shooting!

Article and images by your expert photography reviewer with 15+ years testing experience.