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Panasonic GF5

 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 front
 
Portability
89
Imaging
49
Features
54
Overall
51

Panasonic GF5 summary

Panasonic GF5 is Panasonic's Entry-Level Mirrorless digital camera first revealed on April of 2012. The camera houses a 12MP, CMOS Four Thirds size sensor with a max resolution of 4000 x 3000.

Panasonic launched this model as a way to update the older Panasonic GF3 (Read Full Comparison) and then launched the newer Panasonic GF6 (Read Full Comparison) to replace this model.

The GF5 is ranked #96 out of 117 in Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and over-all #423 out of 1465 for digital cameras in our list. You should try out our Smart camera filter to find camera listings based on your personal factors.

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Below is a diagram of multiple factors used in the rating system.

Panasonic GF5 history

The Panasonic GF5 comes with a history of related digital cameras. Underneath, you can look at all past and current models as well as key specs.

ModelVisualizeResolutionSensor SizeMax fpsReleased
Panasonic-Lumix-DC-G100 front thumbnailPanasonic G100
GF5 vs G100
20MPFour Thirds10.0 fps2020
Panasonic-Lumix-DC-GX9 front thumbnailPanasonic GX9
GF5 vs GX9
20MPFour Thirds9.0 fps2018
Leica to Release Innovative Hybrid Medium Format Camera in 2 Years
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GX850 front thumbnailPanasonic GX850
GF5 vs GX850
16MPFour Thirds10.0 fps2017
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GX85 front thumbnailPanasonic GX85
GF5 vs GX85
16MPFour Thirds8.0 fps2016
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GF8 front thumbnailPanasonic GF8
GF5 vs GF8
16MPFour Thirds5.8 fps2016
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GX8 front thumbnailPanasonic GX8
GF5 vs GX8
20MPFour Thirds12.0 fps2015
AI-made Images of Food Appear More Delicious Than Real Photos
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GF7 front thumbnailPanasonic GF7
GF5 vs GF7
16MPFour Thirds5.8 fps2015
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GM5 front thumbnailPanasonic GM5
GF5 vs GM5
16MPFour Thirds5.8 fps2014
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GM1 front thumbnailPanasonic GM1
GF5 vs GM1
16MPFour Thirds5.0 fps2013
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GX7 front thumbnailPanasonic GX7
GF5 vs GX7
16MPFour Thirds5.0 fps2013
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-G6 front thumbnailPanasonic G6
GF5 vs G6
16MPFour Thirds7.0 fps2013
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Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GF6 front thumbnailPanasonic GF6
GF5 vs GF6
16MPFour Thirds4.0 fps2013
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-G5 front thumbnailPanasonic G5
GF5 vs G5
16MPFour Thirds6.0 fps2012
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GF5 front thumbnailPanasonic GF512MPFour Thirds4.0 fps2012
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GX1 front thumbnailPanasonic GX1
GF5 vs GX1
16MPFour Thirds4.0 fps2012
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GF3 front thumbnailPanasonic GF3
GF5 vs GF3
12MPFour Thirds3.0 fps2011
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-G3 front thumbnailPanasonic G3
GF5 vs G3
16MPFour Thirds4.0 fps2011
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GF2 front thumbnailPanasonic GF2
GF5 vs GF2
12MPFour Thirds3.0 fps2011
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-G10 front thumbnailPanasonic G10
GF5 vs G10
12MPFour Thirds3.0 fps2010
OM System OM-1 Set to Enhance Autofocus
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-G2 front thumbnailPanasonic G2
GF5 vs G2
12MPFour Thirds3.0 fps2010
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GF1 front thumbnailPanasonic GF1
GF5 vs GF1
12MPFour Thirds3.0 fps2009
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-G1 front thumbnailPanasonic G1
GF5 vs G1
12MPFour Thirds3.0 fps2009

Panasonic GF5 Pros and Cons

Here is a checklist of pros and cons of the Panasonic GF5 based on things which are oftentimes considered crucial in a digital camera.

comes with HDMI support
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
focusing manually
has built in flash
high resolution screen (920 thousand dot)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
pretty good screen size (3")
provides face detect focus
provides tracking focus
supports focus by touch
supports RAW files
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
touchscreen capability
cannot use external flash
does not contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
low MP (12MP)
no articulating screen
no headphone jack
no mic jack
no Time Lapse mode
slow frames per second (4.0 fps)
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Panasonic GF5 Sensor features

The Panasonic GF5 features the Venus Engine FHD processor. The sensor spec on the Panasonic GF5 is 17.3mm x 13mm (Four Thirds). The 225 mm² sensor has the capability to capture 4000 x 3000 pixels with aspect ratios of 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9.

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The CMOS sensor boasts 12MP and delivers a standard ISO range of 160 to 12800. RAW photos are saved so you have more room to maneuver in post.

The image underneath shows the GF5's sensor size compared to other popular sizes. The GF5 sensor comes with a crop factor of 2.1 and is showcased in green.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 sensor size TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

To get a sense of different aspect ratios, you should refer to the graphic below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Panasonic GF5 dimensions

Panasonic GF5 weighs in at 0.59 lbs (267g / 9.42 ounces) and the overall size of the camera is 108mm x 67mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5"). The weight of typical Entry-Level Mirrorless camera is 329g and the Panasonic GF5 is less heavy than various competitors.

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Underneath is a image of the Panasonic GF5 besides a softdrink so you're able to have a feel for its size.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 dimensions scale

The top view just below will highlight the button design on the GF5.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 topview buttons dials

Panasonic GF5 Lens features

The GF5 works with the Micro Four Thirds mount and has 162 lenses to choose from. Here is a small number of the lenses we have in our database that will fit the GF5.

ModelVisualizeFocal LengthApertureStabilizedWeight
Panasonic-Leica-D-Vario-Elmar-14-150mm-F3.5-5.6-Asph-Mega-OIS lensPanasonic Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-150mm F3.5-5.6 Asph Mega OIS14-150mmf/3.5-5.6 520g
Panasonic-Lumix-G-14mm-F2.5-II-ASPH lensPanasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 II ASPH14mmf/2.5 55g
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Samyang-85mm-F1.4-Aspherical-IF-Four-Thirds lensSamyang 85mm F1.4 Aspherical IF85mmf/1.4 539g
Panasonic-Leica-DG-Vario-Elmarit-50-200mm-F2.8-4.0-ASPH-Power-OIS lensPanasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power OIS50-200mmf/2.8-4 655g
Voigtlander-Nokton-17.5mm-F0.95-Aspherical-Micro-Four-Thirds lensVoigtlander Nokton 17.5mm F0.95 Aspherical18mmf/0.95 540g
Olympus-Zuiko-Digital-35mm-f3.5-Macro lensOlympus Zuiko Digital 35mm f3.5 Macro35mmf/3.5 165g
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Samyang-14mm-F2.8-IF-ED-MC-Aspherical-Four-Thirds lensSamyang 14mm F2.8 IF ED MC Aspherical14mmf/2.8 552g
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Panasonic GF5 Connectivity

The GF5 has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes
  • HDMI Yes

Digital cameras which include NFC or Bluetooth compatibility can easily be controlled wirelessly via smartphones. You are able to send files and at times adjust camera settings without connecting straight with the camera.

A few apps also provide a Liveview and hit the shutter when you are not close to the camera. If the camera boasts a HDMI out, it could be attached to an external screen. A good number of cameras enable you to charge the battery pack with the USB port.

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Panasonic GF5 Video features

The max video quality on the Panasonic GF5 is 1920 x 1080 and it can save in MPEG-4 and AVCHD file format. 1080p quality delivers a great balance for video quality and file size but 1080p won't give you much room to crop. The body does not have a mic or headphone socket so you get zero control over your audio. It is probably best to have a look at a different model should you want good audio in your videos.

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Panasonic GF5 Weather Sealing

Panasonic GF5 does not have environment proofing so damp conditions may damage the camera.

Panasonic GF5 Screen and Viewfinder

The Panasonic GF5 is equipped with a 3 inch fixed display with a resolution of 920 thousand dots.

Moreover the display is touch friendly so you can easily set focus points and change settings with your finger.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 screen and viewfinder Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

The ViewFinder specs regarding Panasonic GF5 are the following:

  • ViewFinder None

In those sunny outdoor conditions that make the camera displays washed out and tough to view, viewfinders can be pretty valuable.

Panasonic GF5 Shutter features

Panasonic GF5 continuous shooting rate is 4.0 fps. The max shutter speed is 1/4000 seconds.

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Panasonic GF5 Flash and Hot shoe features

Panasonic GF5 has got just built-in flash without external flash support. The max flash sync is 1/160 seconds.

Panasonic GF5 Autofocus features

Panasonic GF5 has got only Contrast Detect AF and does not have Phase Detect AF. Phase Detection autofocusing is a lot faster & precise than Contrast Detect autofocusing. The camera supports Face detection which can be useful for people photography.

The AF system supports 23 focus points to choose from. Panasonic GF5 has touch to focus. You can easily use your fingers to switch focus. It also comes with Tracking AF for subjects on the move. Panasonic GF5 can use manual focus in case it is needed for low light conditions or you need to have more accurate focus control.

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Panasonic GF5 Battery life

The battery pack on the Panasonic GF5 is fashioned to last for 360 shutters based on the CIPA specifications which is similar to its competitors. The usual Entry-Level Mirrorless camera battery life is 343. Fujifilm X-S20 has got the maximum (750) battery life for this class of cameras.

Here is a collection of Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras that come with the best battery life:

Panasonic GF5 for specific forms of photography

The following chart presents a outline of the Panasonic GF5 for specific forms of photography. To see more, check out the specific section underneath.

Panasonic GF5 Portrait photography advice

The Panasonic GF5 has a points total of 56 which is moderate, meaning that it is fairly suited for portrait images. Shooting portrait images favors heavily to sensor dimension, RAW support & capability to use off-camera flash.

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focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)

Street photography with Panasonic GF5

With a above average rating of 70, the Panasonic GF5 is a fine pick to use in street photography. A good street photography camera offers a good balance of picture quality plus portability.

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sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization

Panasonic GF5 Sports photography details

A awful sports photography points tally of 41 indicates the Panasonic GF5 is not really acceptable for taking pictures of sports. A camera needs to have great tracking plus continuous shooting for sports photography.

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sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus

Panasonic GF5 Travel photography features

Weight is very important in getting a camera for travel. All round, the Panasonic GF5 gets a above average 61 for a travelling camera which makes it a fine choice to take on your holidays.

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offers focus via touch
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen

Landscape photography with Panasonic GF5

In case you're looking to pick a digital camera for landscape photography, the most critical factor will be image quality. The Panasonic GF5 at it's modest score of 59 as a landscape camera is fairly adequate within the current marketplace.

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focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
does not have Time Lapse function

Vlogging with Panasonic GF5

A vlogging camera really should offer a moving screen, microphone input and preferably image stabilization. Considering everything, the Panasonic GF5 is not really acceptable as a vlog camera as it gets a awful rating of 32.

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touch screen
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic socket

Panasonic GF5 Alternatives

If you are trying to find replacements to the GF5, below is a collection of the highest placed cameras that fall in to the category of Entry-Level Mirrorless.

The line chart listed below offers you an overview of the GF5 vs it's top ranked rivals shown above.

These are some more cameras you may regard as alternate options. To review a comprehensive comparison, click the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Brand Name
Panasonic
Model
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
Class
Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced
2012-04-05
Body design
Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CMOS
Processor Chip
Venus Engine FHD
Sensor size
Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions
17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area
224.9mm²
Sensor resolution
12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio
1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution
4000 x 3000
RAW images
Highest native ISO
12800
Min native ISO
160
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points
23
Lens
Lens mount
Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses
107
Focal length multiplier
2.1
Screen
Screen type
Fixed Type
Screen sizing
3"
Resolution of screen
920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology
TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type
None
DXO scores
DXO Overall score
50
DXO Color Depth score
20.5
DXO Dynamic range score
10.0
DXO Low light score
573
Features
Min shutter speed
60s
Max shutter speed
1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed
4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation
Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range
6.30 m
Flash options
Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync
1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Highest video resolution
1920x1080
Video data format
MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight
267g (0.59 lbs)
Physical dimensions
108 x 67 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5")
Other
Battery life
360 photographs
Battery format
Battery Pack
Self timer
Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage
SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots
Single
Launch cost
$600