Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 Pro Reviews

Panasonic’s LUMIX GF5 completes the GF-series’ transition from compact enthusiast to super-compact point-and-shoot mirrorless camera. It’s simple, newbie-friendly, and seriously small -- but anyone looking for manual control should opt for the GX1 instead.

Impressively small and light, but the slim lens raises the price too much for what is ultimately a point-and-shoot camera

The hardest thing about recommending this camera is to know which configuration makes sense. The 14-42mm HD lens -- also called PZ for "power zoom" -- makes for the most convenient, compact kit. But it's also a fairly middling lens, especially given that you're paying more for the package. The cheaper kit with the standard 14-42mm lens is probably the best deal, but then the camera loses its size advantage. In some ways, that the problem with all of these entry-level ILCs, though. I think the Sony Alpha NEX-F3 has somewhat better photo quality overall and it has a tilting LCD, but otherwise I like the design and interface of the GF5 better. If you can find the GF3 for a better price with the zoom lens, that's probably your best deal.

While the GF5's improvements over its predecessor are minimal, this isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially when you consider that the GF3 was an award-winning model. The GF5 continues to embody the true meaning of what it is to be a Compact System Camera, and is sure to appeal to many. It maintains its compact dimensions and consumer usability, while continuing to deliver with regards to both performance and an impressive level of image quality. If you're happy without a viewfinder, and don't mind the incremental advances on its predecessor, then the GF5 could well be the CSC for you.

With Panasonic recently launching the photographer-focused GX-1 for fans of the original GF1, the GF-series is now even more firmly aimed at compact owners looking to upgrade to a more capable camera. The diminutive DMC-GF5 certainly fits that bill thanks to its exceedingly quick and reliable auto-focus system, expanded range of in-camera creative effects, hand-holding scene modes, great image quality and improved low-light performance. The GF5 offers the same tiny body design, cutting-edge touchscreen and pared-down user interface as its predecessor, with the principal added benefits of a larger ISO range, higher resolution LCD screen, wider range of filters, reintroduced stereo sound and even faster auto-focusing than the already snappy GF3. It may still lack a flash hot shoe, accessory port, viewfinder and dedicated ISO button, but we'd bet that most prospective GF5 owners won't miss those features, especially if they stick to the kit lenses and don't venture into longer focal length territory.

The Panasonic Lumix GF5 is a worthwhile upgrade, resolving a number of our original complaints about the GF3, and the addition of improved effects, menus systems, and built in scene modes with guides for beginners are a useful addition for beginners. The screen looks great and the camera feels better than ever with an improved rubber grip and body styling. The GF5 is certainly an appealing camera, particularly with improved noise performance in comparison to the predecessor. Although whether you should buy this or one of the other Panasonic Lumix G cameras, such as the GX1 or G3 will largely depend on what offer is available, and whether you have a preference for size and features, as all cameras are currently around the same price.

The GF5’s ultra-small size doesn’t limit its overall performance. This is one fast camera that delivers where it counts on the image quality front too. Although the power zoom lens keeps the package’s size down, we’re not totally sold on either its price implication or toggle zoom - opt for the standard (larger) 14-42mm lens and you won’t lose out on image quality, but will save yourself a hundred notes. Though, granted, it’s all a matter of personal preference. The lack of a hotshoe and viewfinder can’t be held against this camera as Panasonic has the higher-end GX1 for those kinds of snappers. Instead the GF5 is designed to be as small and user-friendly as possible and, with that in mind, it’s bang on the money. It’ll tick most of the right boxes for the point-and-shoot yet image conscious market that it’s aimed at. Good to see Micro Four Thirds continuing to push its own envelope. The GF5 may be small, but it's certainly powerful.

The GF5 is a fairly subtle refresh of the GF3 and, despite promises of a 'newly developed' sensor, we're not expecting dramatic leaps forward in image quality. The simple (and easy to customize) touch-screen interface, which we really liked on the GF3, has been updated and in some ways improved. However, while the GF5 features commendable attempts to keep direct control of key photographic parameters near to the surface, no matter how simplistic the selected shooting mode, we encountered a couple of instances where the interaction between the physical buttons and the touch screen became confusing. We'll see whether this impression is reinforced or dismissed once we've had a chance to spend more time with the camera. Overall, though, the GF5 offers an awful lot of large sensor camera in an impressively compact package, and that alone means it's likely to work its way into our luggage when venture out of the office.

Overall the Panasonic Lumix GF5 is not only a great successor to the GF3, but a real step forward. Panasonic hasn't stood still with its most compact model, but made real changes. The additional grip and the improvement to the rear display make this a much better model than previously. Although we can't just the outright quality from the new 12-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor, we're impressed by the results we got during our test shoot and the ease of use. There are some minor niggles with consistency in the menus, but Panasonic should be applauded for moving the menu system forwards, as the combination of touch and regular controls is highly usable. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 will be available from June 2012. The test configuration used here with the Lumix G X 14-42 lens will cost you £579, with the standard kits lens it will cost you £449.

The GF5 will be released in June, with an RRP of GBP579 for the GF5X kit including the 14-42mm retractable power zoom lens, and a competitive GBP449 for the GF5K kit with the more conventional 14-42mm manual zoom. It may not look revolutionary, but even if image quality hasn't improved considerably (and it's far too early to say for sure), the new high-detail screen on the rear certainly makes it a more attractive buy than its already-capable predecessor.

Overall impressions of the Panasonic Lumix GF5 are very good. Panasonic has done a great job at building a camera that will appeal very strongly to those looking to step up from compact or bridge models, while keeping enough manual controls to satisfy those looking for more. Image quality is of course of paramount importance, and it's here that the Panasonic Lumix GF5 really does deliver. The amount of detail captured is particularly impressive - especially considering the lens being used for the majority of our shots was the supplied kit lens. This is a great option for those looking to get started with a compact system camera. Panasonic offers a large amount of compatible lenses, should you find you need more than the kit lens(more when you consider that both Olympus and third party Micro Four Thirds lenses are also available) and even more are known to be in development.