Panasonic LUMIX G5 Mirrorless Camera
The Panasonic DMC-G5 is a 16MP Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera — with 1080p video. Used copies start from $121.38 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Panasonic LUMIX G5 Mirrorless Camera
Used Panasonic DMC-G5 Listings on GearFocus
Camera Overview — Panasonic DMC-G5
Key Features — Panasonic DMC-G5
16MP MFT Sensor: 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor with a 2x crop factor, paired with the Venus Engine VII FHD processor for image processing.
1080p Video at 60fps: Records Full HD video at 24, 30, or 60fps in 8-bit color, covering a range of standard shooting and slow-motion use cases.
6fps Burst Shooting: Continuous shooting at up to 6 frames per second for capturing fast-moving subjects in stills.
Face Detection & Subject Tracking AF: 23-point contrast detection autofocus system includes face detection and subject tracking to help keep moving subjects sharp.
1.44M-Dot Electronic Viewfinder: Built-in EVF running at 60Hz provides a responsive, accurate view for composing shots in bright conditions where the rear screen is hard to read.
Tilting 3-Inch LCD: 920k-dot articulating rear screen allows for flexible framing from high or low angles.
Camera Specifications — Panasonic DMC-G5
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Portrait, Landscape, Travel, Beginner-Friendly, Street |
| Type | Mirrorless |
| Sensor | Micro Four Thirds (MFT) |
| Resolution | 16MP |
| Processor | Venus Engine VII FHD |
| ISO Range | 160 – 12800 |
| AF System | Contrast Detection, Face Detection AF |
| AF Points | 23 |
| Max Photo Resolution | 4608x3456 |
| Burst Rate | 6 fps |
| Max Video Resolution | 1080p |
| Max Frame Rate | 60fps |
Description — Panasonic DMC-G5
The Panasonic LUMIX G5 is a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera featuring a 16MP sensor powered by the Venus Engine VII FHD image processor. With a native ISO range of 160 to 12800, it handles a broad range of lighting conditions. The autofocus system combines Contrast Detection and Face Detection AF across 23 focus points, with subject tracking enabled.
Burst shooting reaches up to 6fps, making it viable for capturing moving subjects. Video recording tops out at 1080p with frame rate options of 24fps, 30fps, and 60fps in 8-bit color, supported by color profiles including Standard, Vivid, Natural, and Monochrome. The camera body — built from polycarbonate and measuring 119.9 x 83.2 x 70.8 mm at 396g — is compact and lightweight, though it carries no weather sealing.
Framing is aided by a 3.0-inch 920k-dot LCD and a 1.44M-dot electronic viewfinder at 60Hz. Connectivity includes USB, Mini HDMI, and a 2.5mm microphone jack, along with an ISO standard hot shoe. Storage is via SD, SDHC, or SDXC cards, and battery life is rated at 320 shots.
Pros — Panasonic DMC-G5
- ✓16MP sensor with Venus Engine VII FHD processor delivers capable image output
- ✓1080p video at up to 60fps with multiple frame rate options (24fps, 30fps, 60fps)
- ✓23-point contrast detection AF with subject tracking and Face Detection AF
Cons — Panasonic DMC-G5
- ✗No weather sealing — polycarbonate body offers no protection against moisture or dust
- ✗No in-body or digital image stabilization — IS depends entirely on the lens used
- ✗No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity for wireless file transfer or remote control
Reviews — Panasonic DMC-G5
Frequently Asked Questions — Panasonic DMC-G5
What lenses are compatible with the Panasonic LUMIX G5?+
The G5 uses the Micro Four Thirds lens mount, which is specified in the mount data. This is a standardized mount shared across the MFT ecosystem. The sensor carries a 2.0x crop factor as noted in the specifications.
Does the LUMIX G5 have image stabilization built into the body?+
No. The specifications confirm that in-body IS is false and digital IS is also false. Image stabilization on the G5 is lens-based only, meaning you will need a stabilized lens to benefit from IS.
What video resolutions and frame rates does the G5 support?+
The G5 records video at a maximum resolution of 1080p. Supported frame rates are 24fps, 30fps, and 60fps, all captured in 8-bit color depth. Color profiles available for video include Standard, Vivid, Natural, and Monochrome.
Can I use an external microphone with the LUMIX G5?+
Yes. The G5 includes a 2.5mm microphone jack as confirmed in the connectivity specifications, allowing you to connect an external microphone for improved audio recording. There is no headphone jack listed in the specs.
Does the G5 have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth?+
No. The connectivity specifications explicitly list Wi-Fi as false and Bluetooth as false. File transfer requires a physical connection via USB or removal of the SD, SDHC, or SDXC storage card.
What is the native ISO range of the Panasonic LUMIX G5?+
The G5 has a native ISO range from 160 to 12800 as specified in the ISO data. This range covers typical shooting scenarios from bright daylight to moderately low-light environments.