Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Mirrorless Micro 4/3s Digital Camera with 12-32mm Lens & Lumix G Vario 35-100mm f/4.0-5.6 Lens

2016-08-18T11:32:29

After carrying my Nikon D3200 (which is already smaller than a full-frame DSLR) plus telephoto lens on a trip, I decided I needed something smaller and lighter for travel. I didn't want to give up the flexibility I was used to with a DSLR and I wanted an eye-level viewfinder. Since I already had several four thirds lenses for my video camera, that format seemed the way to go. This camera is the perfect solution. It's very small and light, but with interchangeable lenses I'm not losing anything. 16 MP isn't as good as my Nikon, but certainly good enough for most purposes. I bought a leather hardshell case for it, and with the twist-out kit lens it has a kind of retro look and feel. The auto-focus is very fast and accurate and the auto-exposure seems spot-on as well. I'll keep my Nikon for when I need the extra megapixels, but for travel and fun, this is now my favorite camera.

Timothy M.

2016-06-05T11:31:48

I have cycled back and forth between DLSRs, mirrorless and point and shoots and still have some of each. I have gotten to the stage that I hate to carry heavy camera gear around. I took a chance on the GM5 and it was a good decision. This thing is TINY. With the kit lens it's about the same size as a quality point and shoot. It's very well made, responsive and takes excellent photos. I don't care about video, so that's not something I'd report on. Stills are excellent with good color, low noise, and decent dynamic range. Like I said, it's small, so it takes some getting used to. One nit about the lens. You have to twist it to extend the lens slightly for use. That motion is clunky to me and I just don't like it. Small thing, but there you go. Lens performs well for a kit lens and is very small and light. I also got the 35-100 lens made for this camera and it's excellent as well. That kit covers 24-200 effective - about 99% of what I need. I added the 20mm 1.7 lens and can do most anything with a very small 3-lens package. Highly recommended though I know they are discontinuing it.

CHARLES F.

2016-01-20T14:52:49

I picked up this camera to be a take everywhere camera. I use a larger Olympus for my primary/work camera. Positives: small, sensor size, viewfinder, control, wifi and included lens. The viewfinder is great for sunny days when you cannot see the screen easily. The wifi is one of the best features. I can save directly to my phone or ipad as I take pictures. I can control the camera remotely and I can load to social media or e-mail on the go. The pictures are much better than cell phone pictures most small cameras. The camera also fits any Micro 4/3 lens. Overall great camera, Drawbacks: viewfinder size, battery life.

FREDERICK H.

2015-09-06T21:00:00

It holds the title as one of the smallest interchangeable-lens cameras, and that's a big selling point. But it's not just a great small camera, it's a great *camera*. It takes very good pictures, handles very well for its size, and has a huge selection of lenses - Micro 4/3 has the best mirrorless lens selection, and most of the 'classic' film-era lens mounts can be adapted. Its older brother the GM1 is slightly shorter; but the GM5 gives you much more than you'd think for the extra millimeters. While the changes are relatively few, their impact is great, fixing most of the GM1's weak points. The viewfinder is relatively small and cramped, but makes a huge difference in bright light. The 'real' control dial (as opposed to a spinner on the main directional pad) is easier to handle and gives more control. The revised control layout makes other buttons (such as the playback control) easier to hit - and moves the directional pad down far enough that I'm no longer hitting it accidentally all the time. I wish I'd known what a big difference these made earlier! The GM5's main drawbacks are price and the limits imposed by the size. While on the whole, the size is a big advantage - much easier to carry around, by itself or as a kit, and a delight to aim and shoot one-handed when paired with appropriate lenses - it does cause some problems. It's harder to get a secure hold on the body, and it can be difficult to handle with large/heavy lenses on it. There simply isn't the room for the kind of external controls you can have on something like the E-M10 or the G7. And when doing a lot of shooting in warm weather, it can get pretty hot.

Travis B.

2015-03-28T21:00:00

Action pictures of my Newfoundland Dog. That it operates fast enough to catch the action of a moving dog. Menu is a little hard for me to get to using and to utilize all the features.

GERALD W.