Panasonic Gives Its GM Series a Boost with the EVF-Toting GM5 and Two New Lenses
The last of Panasonic’s camera announcements from the Photokina floor today is a second member of its super compact GM lineup of system cameras, the Lumix DMC-GM5, which was accompanied by two new GM-series lenses for good measure.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5
Last year, Panasonic impressed with the Panasonic GM1, a very compact interchangeable lens camera (ILC). This year, the company decided to continue down that road and up its game with the GM5.
The GM5 features the same 16-megapixel Micro Four Third (MFT) sensor as its predecessor, but improves upon a number of features the GM1 debuted with.
For example, just to the left of its hotshoe you’ll find an all-new EVF with 1.1 million dots, designed to work seamlessly with the included external flash. The update also brings a new control dial on the back to compliment the touchscreen interface; and despite using the same sensor as the GM1, the GM5 is now capable of pushing out 1080p video at up to 60 frames per second.
Speaking of video, the GM5 features a dedicated video mode called Snap Movie. This allows you to edit videos in-camera for quick sharing across social media — you’re able to trim clips, add transitions and more. Of course, on the small, sometimes finicky touchscreen, this feature might become nothing more than a novelty… but we’ll have to reserve judgement until we’ve tried it.
The GM5 is available for pre-order in a kit with Panasonic’s 12–32mm lens on B&H for $900.
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 35–100mm f/4.0-5.6 and 14mm f/2.5 II
The GM lens lineup also received a nice boost today with the new Lumix G Vario 35–100mm (70–200mm 35mm equivalent) f/4.0–5.6 and 14mm (28mm 35mm equivalent) f/2.5 II. The 35–100mm f/4.0–5.6 features Panasonic’s ‘Mega Optical Image Stabilization’ while the updated 14mm lens improves upon its predecessor by adding a much smoother stepping motor for quieter focus.
Both lenses are currently available for purchase on B&H. The 35–100mm f/4.0–5.6 will set you back $400, while the 14mm f/2.5 comes in at a much more wallet-friendly $315.
