Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 for serious novice photographers

Repeating a sweet success for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1, which was launched in 2013, Panasonic has launched the latest generation of this tiny camera, the Lumix DMC-GM5. It seems the new Lumix GM5 doesn't appear all that different from the GM1. The Lumix GM5 is a compact camera with a Micro Four Thirds sensor and a decent processor. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 uses the same 16-million-pixel Live MOS sensor as the Lumix DMC-GM1. The GM5 can also capture 1080/60p video; shoot stills at shutter speeds of up to 1/16,000th of a second, and track subjects at 240Hz.

For those of you that will be more familiar with this camera, then you can maximize full manual control, focus peaking, silent shooting, RAW shooting, and continuous shooting of up to 5 frames per second with autofocus (5.8fps without). As mentioned above, the Lumix GM5 retains the 16-megapixel Live Mos Sensor of Micro Four Thirds, and Venus Engine capable of ISOs of up to 25,500. The AF has a speed of 0.06 seconds, and autofocus tracking at 5 fps.

New Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5. Image: seventrumpet.com

Like in the new Panasonic LX100, this camera also equipped with has 22 filter effects in the Creative Control mode, plus features like time-lapse, stop-motion animation, retouching, and manual long-exposure; there’s also focus peaking, a silent operation mode, highlight and shadow control, and level gauge, and Panasonic's "Clear Retouch" mode adding to the mix.

Besides the addition of electronic peephole, this tiny camera is also perfect with the presence of added hot shoe flash to install flash and the addition of several new key to be more easily controlled. 

Panasonic adds several new features to GM5 such, the speed for continuous shoot, which has now reached 5.8fps and a new autofocus function (Face / Eye Detection) like you find on a more expensive series, the Lumix GH4.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5. Image: hardwarezone.com.sg

The Panasonic DMC-GM5 also equipped with features to make creative pictures, the setting Highlight / Shadow Contrast like the Panasonic Lumix GX7. For those who are fond of experimenting, then you can maximize the 22 filters, which can be used in modes A / S / M, and 18 other filters in Creative Panorama mode and video mode.

The video recording capabilities on the GM5 also better. This mirrorless camera can record Full HD 1920 x 1080p at 60p, and very adequate for many uses of video. In addition, there is also a new feature, namely the Snap Movie mode. With this mode, you can make video snippets of short duration (2/4/6/8 seconds) of recorded video, so you can easily share them to social networking media. This feature is likely will attract the video creators of Vine or YouTube.

 

The green Lumix DMC-GM5. Image: camerapro.com.au

In addition to the GM5, Panasonic also has also recently announced two Micro Four Thirds Lenses; The Lumix G Vario 35-100mm, with an aperture of f/4-5.6 aperture, and Lumix G 14mm with an f/2.5 aperture.

 If you want to immediately have this camera, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 will be priced around US$ 899 with kit lens 12-32mm. 

If lucky, perhaps you could ask for an extra memory card to the camera store owner that you know well in your city. The Lumix DMC-GM5 could be a competitor of Sony NEX-6 and Canon PowerShot G7 X. The choice is in your hands.

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DSLR camera versus DSLM camera

DLSM camera versus  DSLR Camera. 

Which one would be your choice?

Is it time we switched from a DSLR camera to DSLM? Some say it depends on what you want and what's right for you. Okay, sure a lot of people get confused when faced with the choice to choose one type of the camera, especially for novice photographers who would buy a camera for the first time. As you know DSLR cameras, which do use a mirror, stands for Digital Single Lens Reflex. Meanwhile, DSLM stands for Digital Single Lens Mirrorless, and eventually, also known as mirrorless camera.

On this occasion, need to be explained once again that there is a difference between a DSLR camera with DSLM camera, not just because of the weight, size and price. The type of DSLM camera is a Micro Four Thirds camera or mirrorless cameras. The Micro Four Thirds system (MFT) was created by Olympus and Panasonic in 2008. Both companies this was the pioneer type of camera DSLM, followed by other well-known brands such as Nikon, Pentax, Samsung, Sony, and Canon later also launched a MFT camera.

The difference between such a mirrorless system camera and a digital SLR camera is, as the name implies, that the mirrorless camera system, works without a mirror. In addition, this technique provides the same or similar features and capabilities, as do other digital camera systems also. 

DSLR camera vs DSLM camera. Image: cameradebate.com

Both camera system has the same advantage over the compact camera models, as well as DSLR cameras, the mirrorless cameras that have interchangeable lenses, the which offer photographers the opportunity to the camera to its current design, the current environment or special photography techniques, such as the Time lapse Photography adapt.

 

The difference between DSLR cameras with mirrorless camera. Image: camerahoarders.com

The most significant advantage of mirrorless cameras over digital SLR cameras is the weight, that DSLR cameras are heavier and larger than DSLM as a system camera to dispense with the mirror inside, it is also much easier. In addition, of course, the time-consuming purification system for the mirror also falls away. The image sensors used in Micro Four Thirds and APS-C, are identical to those of SLR. By the same sensors, the image quality of the mirrorless cameras even at high ISO speeds also very good, even when using Auto ISO.

The reference in the field of speed comes from the single-lens reflex. Related to this: the autofocus: The DSLR cameras use a phase auto focus, which works faster than the contrast AF system in the camera. This makes fast image series for sports photography with the DSLR really lucrative. There is also the SLR currently even more accessories and a wider choice of different lenses, from wide angle to super zoom or even macro lens.

Some examples of mirrorless cameras.Image: gizmag.com

 When a photographer looks into the viewfinder on a DSLR camera, they can say exactly what is going to be captured. Speed ​​is also a huge advantage of digital SLR cameras. They quickly intervening focus, even in low lighting, making it easy to capture fast moving subjects. They also allow for fast zooming. The most obvious advantage of mirrorless cameras is their small size. If you are trying to capture candid shots, carrying a small MILC is much easier than wielding a DSLR with a huge lens.

The primary disadvantage of DSLR cameras is their size, but Canon has launched the Canon EOS 100D (This camera is great for the novice photographer), which is claimed to be the smallest DSLR camera, where the camera can also make movies with Full HD quality, even with a touch screen. It must be recognized that DSLRs can also be a bit complicated to learn Because of all of their different buttons and features, and of course the DSLR cameras usually large, and heavier, so it is rather inconvenient when used during long holidays, not to mention that you bring a lot of lenses.

With all the complexity that exists when will choose between DSLM or DSLR, then you try to reflect for a moment, what is the purpose you buy a camera? Each model certainly has its advantages and disadvantages. There are some personal opinions and reviews of professional photography in magazines or on the Internet who say that when it comes to image quality there is no doubt that there are many things that a DSLR does better than a MILC (mirrorless), for example, speed and accuracy. Although DSLR cameras quickly lose market share in favor of more compact and high performing ILC cameras, still, DSLR cameras are still a better tool for many photographers who choose a DSLR for professional work. Do you agree with this opinion?

 

Some famous DSLR camera.Image: stepbystep.com

In the opinion of some aspects of it may be true, but with the technological developments in the last two years, mirrorless cameras have begun to approach even superior in some ways as well. There is also the opinion that professional photographers have made mirrorless camera as a second camera, mainly used to perform the test photos when shooting a photo model, or when photographing a product for advertising needs. Say if you are on holiday in Bali or when you are in a family event such as a birthday party, then the mirrorless camera is definitely more convenient for you to carry, and can go in your pockets or purse.

Whatever decisions you will take, then you needs to understand your own preferences and your own needs in order to make a choice. You do not need to be affected by the charm of the ads that you find in magazines, newspapers or camera promotion on the Internet, you are the king, and then you are the person in charge at your own decision.

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