Panasonic is a manufacturer of a huge number of categories of electronic equipment. Among them are digital cameras, which, like other types of products of the Japanese brand, are traditionally characterized as technological, reliable and versatile products. The most popular models of budget solutions from the brand include the Panasonic Lumix DMC GF5 Kit. What are the main advantages of the model? What do users and experts say about their experience using the capabilities of this camera?
Device Overview
The Lumix GF5 device is a very simple, but at the same time technologically advanced 12 megapixel camera, which is manufactured by Panasonic. The device is characterized by concise forms, convenient controls, built-in flash, as well as a touch screen. By the way, it has a diagonal of 3 inches, as well as a fairly wide resolution - 920,000 pixels.
The device can record pictures in RAW and JPG files in the resolution of 4000 x 3000 pixels. And also in MPO, if the user has at their disposal a 3D lens. The Lumix GF5 camera allows you to record videos in resolutions up to 1920 x 1080 pixels at speeds up to 60 frames per second.
The sensitivity range of the device’s camera is ISO 160-12800, and the shutter speed is 60 - 1/4000 seconds. The device has a burst shooting function, which can be carried out at a speed of up to 4 frames / sec. You can insert memory cards up to 64 GB in the device. The device can be connected to a computer using the USB 2.0 interface, as well as HDMI.
The Lumix GF5 camera has a removable 940 mAh battery. This resource is enough to take about 360 photos. Among the most notable features of the device is the autofocus function. Experts and users rate it very highly. So, using proprietary Panasonic algorithms provides guidance time, which is 0.09 seconds. This indicator is not able to achieve all competing solutions.
Device management: short instruction
Among the most notable controls on the device is the Display button. It is located on the rear of the camera. This button is responsible for choosing the optimal mode for presenting information to the user on the display. Also directly on the case are the standard controls: shutter release, power button, video activation button, as well as a button, when pressed, the device switches to iA mode.
If you take the camera as it usually works in the working position, then under the thumb on the user's right hand will be the DISP button, as well as interfaces for playing multimedia files. A little lower is a wheel with a Menu button. At the same time, it is also a joystick that can be twisted in different directions. If you press the joystick up, the exposure compensation options will open, if to the right - white balance settings, down - burst options, to the left - the options for automatic focus points (at the same time, the wheel itself is supposed to be used). Directly under the joystick is a button for quick access to the menu, as well as deleting files.
Display
The screen of the Panasonic Lumix GF5 device, as we noted above, has a sufficiently high resolution. This allows the owner of the camera to study in more detail the photographs created using it. Also, a high-resolution screen enhances the convenience of manually pointing the device to the object. The display of the camera in question is touch-sensitive, which allows you to access various settings very quickly, in just a couple of touches.
Appearance
The Lumix GF5 is reasonably compact in size. As materials for the manufacture of the device case, polymers and aluminum are used. The build quality of the device is rated very highly. Experts do not observe any extraneous sounds when exposed to certain elements of the case during its use.
On the front of the case is a bayonet mount. There is also a button for disconnecting the lens. It is noteworthy that the mount of the device is metal. This makes it possible to mount rather heavy lenses on the camera. In turn, many competing solutions have a plastic bayonet mount, usually not designed for heavy loads. On the upper part of the case there is a button to turn on the device, as well as a shutter, a button to activate video recording, a button to turn on the automatic control mode of the device (if the device is turned off, it is highlighted in blue).
Directly above the lens of the Panasonic Lumix GF5 is a flash, a little to the left of it is a microphone and speaker, designed to listen to the sounds recorded on the camera. On the left side of the case there are no useful device controls. On the right are the USB 2.0 ports, as well as HDMI. On the bottom of the case are a tripod socket and a battery compartment. The memory card slot is located next to the battery. On the back of the case there is a 3-inch screen of the device. Directly above the display of the device is a flash button.
Device Speed: reviews
An important aspect of using the camera is its speed. How are users of the Lumix DMC GF5 rated it? If you study the reviews of the owners of the camera, you can find that the device performs basic operations at a speed that corresponds to the leading solutions in its segment. This is largely due, according to users, to the fact that the device is equipped with a high-performance Venus Engine VII processor that supports a large number of functions. As for the practical indicators of the device, the speed of its on is about 1 second, off - about 2. Quite quickly, the camera functions in burst mode.
Photo quality: user ratings
How do users rate the quality of photos taken with the Panasonic Lumix GF5? A review of the opinions of the owners of the camera presented on various thematic portals allows us to conclude that the opinions of people regarding the considered aspect of the device are positive. In the case of a competent choice of the sensitivity of the device, you can get bright, juicy pictures. When shooting in low light, you can activate the HDR mode. It will allow you to make photos more detailed.
Autofocus function
Let's consider how users evaluate the following nuance: how effectively the autofocus function of the Panasonic Lumux DMC GF5 Kit camera is used. This part, implemented in the device, belongs to the category of contrasting, has 23 points. They are placed evenly within the frame area, can be selected by the user or work in automatic mode.
The autofocus function in this camera works very quickly, but subject to good lighting of the shooting location. You can use 4 modes of implementing automatic focus: adapted for single shots, presented in the predicative version, continuous, manual. It is noteworthy that when choosing the 4th option, the image on the screen is enlarged, which allows the owner of the camera to perform more accurate focusing.
Videography: reviews
Now let's look at how users rate the video feature of the Lumix GF5. A review of the opinions of the owners of the video camera allows us to conclude that digital video enthusiasts prefer to give the highest rating to the quality of video recordings created using the device.
Users are impressed by the camera’s functionality in terms of improving the quality of video shooting, part of which, for example, is a frame stabilization system implemented in the lens. Thanks to the corresponding function, the picture is very soft, there are no noticeable distortions.
Autofocus when shooting video also works, according to users and experts, very well, even if the owner of the camera transfers focus from distant objects to near ones. Video recording can be as long as the resources of the memory card installed in the Lumix DMC GF5 Kit camera allow.
Additional options
It will also be useful to familiarize yourself with other notable options implemented in the device. Among them are art filters. They can be used when taking pictures. By activating the camera to create images, the user can apply the widest range of advanced settings. Such as, for example, increased dynamic range, adjusting shooting formats, setting limit values for ISO, using the face detection function, creating your own camera settings profile.
According to experts, the equipment of the camera in question with a large number of options makes it a universal, technological device. In many situations, it can replace more complex equipment. For example, a camera with an external flash.
Reviews about the device: advantages
What advantages and disadvantages of the device are revealed by Panasonic Lumix DMC GF5 users? A review of the opinions of the owners of the camera, as well as experts, allows us to highlight the following spectrum of the device’s strengths:
- Large enough screen resolution.
- High level of light sensitivity.
- Good burst speed.
- Existence of function HDR.
- The presence of a large number of frame formats.
- Support for various scenes and preset settings.
- Small dimensions of the device.
- High-quality autofocus.
- The availability of intelligent software.
- Supports Full HD movie shooting at 30 frames per second.
Device reviews: disadvantages
Among the shortcomings of the camera, which are noted by users and experts, the following nuances:
- Lack of interfaces in the device structure for connecting external devices.
- Not the most technological display of a resistive type.
- The lack of a rotary screen.
But in general, the device is characterized by users and experts as one of the best in its segment. From the point of view of integrated performance and manufacturability, the camera has very few analogues.
Camera Lens Selection: Third-Party Manufacturers
It will be useful to study another nuance of using the Panasonic Lumix GF5 device - choosing the optimal lens for it. It can be noted that the device can be delivered with different lenses. But by default, the camera is equipped with the appropriate optical hardware components from the manufacturer. In principle, the device is also compatible with third-party lenses. For example, with Samyang 7.5 mm Fish-Eye MFT and Sigma AF 30 mm.
It can be noted that the Samyang lens is characterized by focal length support. It is optimized for taking photos in panorama mode, various architectural objects, street photography. The Sigma lens has a focal length that is optimal, in particular, for portrait photography. Both solutions are characterized by high build quality and reliability.
Lens Selection: Panasonic Solutions
You can, of course, if you want to use lenses from Panasonic. Among them is the H-H020 20 mm solution. This lens is characterized by high aperture values. He is able to form a picture of exceptionally high quality at any time of the day. Among other advantages of the solution is its small size. Thus, together with the Panasonic Lumix GF5 Kit, it forms a convenient and compact solution. It can be used in everyday shooting.
Another excellent lens from Panasonic that is suitable for the camera in question is the H-FS045200E 45-200 mm. Its main advantage is versatility. It is suitable for both portrait photography and for creating photographs in nature, when objects can be located at a considerable distance from the user.
Summary
Panasonic's Lumix GF5 is an inexpensive, technologically advanced and versatile solution. Its functionality allows you to solve not only amateur tasks, but in some cases to promote the work of a professional photographer. The device contains all the necessary software and hardware components to configure the optimal shooting mode.
Using the GF5 camera, you can create high-quality multimedia files in a wide range of formats. The result of using the device can be excellent pictures and exciting videos in Full HD format. The device is compatible with a large number of different lenses. Choose the ones that are best suited for shooting in the mode that the user needs.