Panasonic G5 review

With an exciting number of new technologies, is this the ultimate CSC?

Panasonic G5
Panasonic's latest compact system camera, which it is dubbing a DSLM, has lots to offer enthusiast and novice photographers

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Images from the G5 are very good straight from the camera with lots of detail and bright, clear colours.

In low light conditions, images taken at high sensitivity display good control over noise, although not quite on a par with those from cameras with larger sensors.

Panasonic G5

On occasion, in mixed or artificial lighting, the auto white balance tends to produce warmer colours, but changing the white balance setting is easy from the quick menu.

Panasonic G5 review

Panasonic is very proud of the autofocus mechanism on its cameras, claiming it to be the fastest, and most accurate, in the world. For the G5, the company has introduced Eye Sensor AF, which means the camera will automatically focus as soon as the camera is lifted to the eye.

Panasonic G5 review

This is very handy for grabbing quick shots, and means you're ready to grab the action as it happens. It works very well, but it's perhaps most useful when using multi-point AF, rather than a singular point which may not be in the location you need.

Panasonic G5 review

Panasonic has introduced extra filters to the G5, bringing it in line with the recently announced GF5. These include Cross Process, Toy Camera and Dramatic Monotone.

Panasonic G5 review

As you might expect, some work better than others, with a lot of it of course being down to personal preference. Images can be shot in both raw format and JPEG, and you can remove the filter in post-production from the raw files should you choose.

Panasonic G5 review

It's a shame, however, that control over aperture and/or shutter speed can't be retained when shooting in Creative mode.

Panasonic G5 review

The screen works well in all but perhaps the brightest of sunlight. The same can be said about the EVF, which provides a clear and bright view, and only occasionally needs to be shielded from direct light.

Panasonic G5 review

One of the most useful advantages of EVFs over traditional optical devices is that a captured image pops up in the viewfinder. This helps to quickly determine whether the shot has been successful.

Panasonic G5 review

However, if you're shooting something which requires precise focusing, you may find you need to double check on the rear LCD screen as occasionally images can appear sharper in the EVF than they actually are.

Panasonic G5 review

Amy Davies

Amy has been writing about cameras, photography and associated tech since 2009. Amy was once part of the photography testing team for Future Publishing working across TechRadar, Digital Camera, PhotoPlus, N Photo and Photography Week. For her photography, she has won awards and has been exhibited. She often partakes in unusual projects - including one intense year where she used a different camera every single day. Amy is currently the Features Editor at Amateur Photographer magazine, and in her increasingly little spare time works across a number of high-profile publications including Wired, Stuff, Digital Camera World, Expert Reviews, and just a little off-tangent, PetsRadar.