Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Camera

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Camera

The Lumix DMC-G5 features a new 16.05-megapixel Live MOS sensor, improved processing engine that facilitates 6 fps still and 1,920 x 1,080 60p video capture with tracking AF, 1,440K dot Electronic View Finder (EVF) with 100% field and ISO range of 160-12,800.

New Features Summary

16.05 MP sensor
Image processing engine with new algorithm for faster response time
Electronic shutter for silent operation and faster capture
HDR (High Dynamic Range) capture
Eye sensor with 1,440,000-dot equivalent Electronic View Finder that automatically triggers focusing
Function Lever for direct adjustment zoom, exposure or aperture
New Touch pad functions
Level gauge
Improved GUI
14 Creative filters

Improved Processing Engine

According to Panasonic, the new image processing Venus engine of the camera improves image quality, processing speed and noise reduction.
The processing engine's noise reduction (3DNR) can detect smooth part and edge part of a picture and adjust the strength of noise reduction – stronger to the smooth part and milder to the edge part to maintain the descriptiveness. NR quickly detects brightness in each part of a picture and applies optimum noise reduction in multiple steps.
The DMC-G5 can shoot 6 fps in 16.05-megapixel full resolution using a mechanical shutter, and upto 20 fps using an electronic shutter. It is compatible with with the UHS-I (Ultra High Speed I) SDXC/SDHC Memory Card allowing faster data writing even in RAW recording mode.
The camera now supports HDR (High Dynamic Range) capture using consecutively stills shot at different exposure levels that are overlaid to produce a single composite picture to eliminate whiteout (over-exposure) or blackout (under-exposure).

Auto-focus

Like all Lumix G Interchange Lens Mirrorless cameras, the G5 uses Contrast Detection Auto-focus (CDAF), which is more accurate at small F values than Phase-difference Auto-focus(PDAF) used on traditional DSLR cameras. For example, at F1.4 CDAF accuracy is 90% accurate as compared to 60% for PDAF.
Pansonic also claims its auto-focus speeds are faster than PDAF, because the camera doubles drive speed from 60 fps to 120 fps while focusing.
Autofocus speeds are claimed to be faster than phase detection used in traditional DSLRs. Fast AF is achieved by reducing the detection time for focusing by doubling the drive speed from 60 frames per second to 120 frames per second.
Besides being faster and more accurate, AF is easier in the G5 as it is possible to set focus on any point in the field of view by touching the point.

Videography

The camera supports full-HD 1,920 x 1,080 60p (NTSC) / 50p (PAL) videos in AVCHD Progressive (MPEG-4 / H.264) format with stereo sound and full-time AF.
A Wind Cut function is also available to block out most of the noise from background wind.
In addition to tracking AF, the camera supports switching focus to a different subject using touch.
A dedicated button on the top lets the user instantly start recording videos while shooting photos. Conversely, you can take a photo while recording video by just pressing a shutter button. Videos can also be recorded in MP4 format to play it back directly on the PC or other portable electronic devices without a need of conversion.

Ease of Use

A newly introduced function lever allows direct adjustment of allotted function such as zoom, exposure or aperture. This lever works for magnification in playback mode and page flip in menu. The combination use with the turn-and-push rear dial completes major shooting settings which accelerates simple, intuitive operation.
Image output between the LVF and the LCD is switched automatically with the eye sensor on the LVF, which features options of sensitivity - high, low and off - to reduce false operation. This eye sensor also works for the new Eye Sensor AF that automatically starts focusing when the photographer looks into the EVF to capture the spur-of-the-moment.
A 1,440K-dot equivalent eye level LVF (Live View Finder) with approximately 100% field of view substitutes for the Optical View Finder in a traditional DSLR and give you an alternative to shooting using the LCD. The 60 fps Live View takes signals directly from the Live MOS sensor and sends them continuously to the LCD at higher speed in real time thanks to the high speed signal processing of Venus Engine.
Image output between the LVF and the LCD is switched automatically with the eye sensor on the LVF, which features options of sensitivity - high, low and off - to reduce false operation. Additionally, the eye sensor automatically initiates focusing when the photographer looks into the EVF.
The DMC-G5 features a 920K dot high resolution articulating touch LCD with 100% FOV. It rotates 180° to the side and tilts 270° up and down.
A newly introduced Level Gauge lets the camera detect the horizontal/vertical angle of view with its internal level working with the acceleration sensor.
For beginners a new Scene Guide in DMC-G5 offers 23 sample pictures shot by professional photographers. Users can choose the one closer to the situation they are going to shoot and optimum parameters for shooting the scene will be automatically selected.
Newly introduced filters include Soft Focus, Dynamic Monochrome, Impressive Art, One Point Color, Cross Process, Low Key, Toy Effect and Star Filter.
The DMC-G5 is available in decent black, silver or white color.