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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Panasonic is keen to push the G5 under a new category name, DSLM, or Digital Single Lens Mirrorless.

It has a slightly larger size (when compared with something like the GF5 for instance), so this would seem to fit a move away from "compact" system cameras, whether it will catch on as a name is another question though.

Overall we have been extremely impressed with the output from the G5 and we can see it being very appealing to lots of people, especially with innovative new features such as the TouchPad AF operation.

It also has a good number of automatic controls, digital filters and scene guides to appeal to novices or those looking simply to point and shoot.

We liked

The newly designed grip makes holding and using the G5 a more pleasant experience than its predecessor, while also giving it a feeling of improved build quality.

We disliked

It's a shame that art filters can't be deployed in manual/semi-automatic modes, as you can on Olympus cameras, as this would be really beneficial to those wanting to be extra creative.

Final verdict

Panasonic has once again delivered a very interesting proposition in the shape of the G5. Purchasing the camera as a twin lens kit, with the new ultra-portable 45-150mm lens would arguably make this the ultimate holiday combination.

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.