While the camera, the fourth in the series, is not essentially a 'vintage' in the way old film cameras are, it is more from the generation of older Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras that enthusiasts still endeavour for.
Just like the others in the series, the DMC-G5 is also bodied in the compact DSLR-style body. The unit I acquired is still in prime condition, clean and tidy throughout, functions perfectly, with a shutter count of less than 6,000.
The camera features a 16.5MP Live MOS sensor with a revised Venus Engine, a bright 1,440,000-dot EVF (Electronic Viewfinder), Contrast AF (Auto Focus), and full HD 1080p video recording capabilities. It is also fitted with a high-resolution rotating rear LCD and an eye sensor that automatically switches between the 920,000-dot LCD and the 1,440,000-dot EVF when you hold the camera up to your face.
Compared to the G3, which it updates, the G5 is slightly larger and heavier, measuring 119.9 x 83.2 x 70.8mm, weighing 346 grams, and features an improved grip and a new control lever for enhanced ergonomics. The G5 was updated to the DMC-G6 in 2013.
When introduced, the G5 was considered a strong contender in the compact system camera market, with enthusiasts' interest maintaining it as a popular and well-regarded mid-level mirrorless camera, noted for its value, image quality for its sensor size, and DSLR-like handling.
Likeable
Straight out of the box, on powering up, one of the likeable features of the G5 is the cyclable integrated horizon indicator (level gauge) displayed on the 3-inch LCD screen, which shows both horizontal and vertical tilt indicators as the camera is framed for a scene.
The feature enables the camera to be held straight and level when shooting handheld or secured on a tripod.
The other, which I set to almost perpetually with MFT AF lenses, is the Single Point Autofocus (AFS) mode, or the 'pinpoint feature', selectable from the AF area submenu, which allows a small and specific area of the image frame to be enlarged for the camera to focus on, before the image is reverted back to the original scene for the shoot.
The mode is a customizable setting within the camera's menu, and can be set for Long, Mid, or Short display times.
Manual Focus Assist
For better focus control, a manual focus assist, or Focus Peaking feature, is also available on the G5 when shooting in Manual Focus mode. To implement, first, set the focus mode to MF, next, enable [Peaking] in the camera's custom setup menu under the [Monitor / Display] options.
 |
 |
To execute, adjust the focus ring on the lens, and the in-focus areas of the image will be highlighted.
Camera Features and Usability
On the front, which is rather plain, a small focus-assist and self-timer indicator lamp is tucked into the recess of the rubberized handgrip and the lens mount housing. The lens mount itself, with the lens release button to its right, is positioned almost on the right edge of the camera body.
On the top plane, from left to right, are the flash hot shoe and built-in pop-up flash, with a sliding manual switch to open it, and the stereo microphones to its left. The On/Off switch, located at the lower part of the Mode Dial, a one-touch Movie Record button, and a one-touch Intelligent Auto Plus (iA+) button are a cluster to the right of the top plane.
On the sloping top at the front of the handgrip is the Shutter Release button, with a Function Lever, which allows zooming with any power zoom lens, zooming into an image in playback mode, and navigating the user interface, right behind it.
The back plane of the G5 is dominated by the rotating, free-angle 3-inch LCD screen, which can be rotated 180 degrees side-to-side, or flipped and twisted through 270 degrees for use as a waist-level viewfinder, a viewfinder for overhead shots, a viewing screen for self-portraits, or snapped back as the back cover of the camera when stored in a bag.
Other fitments on the upper part of the back plane include the EVF/LCF/FN3 button to the left of the viewfinder, the viewfinder itself, and to the right, the Quick Menu button, which accesses most of the principal controls of the camera, and the AF/AE Lock/Fn'1' button.
On the right edge of the camera body, a Control Dial is used for, among others, changing the aperture and shutter speed settings. The Control Dial can also be pressed inwards to switch to setting exposure compensation.
Lower on the right of the back plane are the Playback and the Display buttons, a 4-way Joystick Pad with a Menu/Set button in the centre.
Pressing left, up, right, and down on the D-Pad buttons selects AF Mode, ISO, White Balance, and Burst mode / Bracketing / Self-timer options, respectively. Recessed under a panel cover on the right shoulder of the back plane are the Remote, HDMI, and AV Out/Digital sockets.
On the bottom plane is the Tripod mount, and the combined Battery Chamber and SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slot cover. The supplied 7.2V 1200mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery is good for about 300 shots.
Exposure Modes
Exposure modes, selectable from the Mode Dial, include the usual selection of Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual modes, with Scene modes accessed via the SCN setting, and 2 additional modes, C1 and C2, which can be configured for customised settings.
The Lumix G5 camera features a dedicated SCN (Scene Mode) mode dial, which provides access to a total of 23 different scene modes. The modes include Clear Portrait, Silky Skin, ... Appetizing Food, Cute Desert, Freeze Animal Motion, Clear Sports Shot, and Monochrome.
New to the G5's Creative Control Mode is access to Expressive, High Key, Sepia, Impressive Art, Cross Process, Miniature Effect, and Star Filter options. These filter effects can be previewed before applying, and based on the scene analysis, the camera will even suggest an appropriate effect when using Intelligent Auto or Intelligent Auto Plus shooting modes.
In Use
While using the camera head-on on a blank note, with its myriad of functions, buttons, and sub-menus to work with is seemingly complicated, a walk-through with the instruction manual is a great help and takes to the what, when, and where in a proper and orderly fashion.
The main menu interface is easily accessible via the center button on the joystick pad, and sub-menu items within the five main menu icons via the joystick arrows. The icons - Record, Motion Picture, Custom, Setup, Playback, and their sub-menu options maps out the inner workings of the camera in a clear and logical sequence.
For those with prior knowledge of the rudiments of PASM exposure modes that are almost universal with most digital cameras, getting used to the touchscreen functions of the G5 is fairly straightforward and shouldn't take you too long to master.
Battery life on the G5, however, is far from the cited 310 to 340 shots per charge; it is actually closer to a 200-shot stint, with performance impacted by heavy LCD screen usage, cold temperatures, and constant camera power-cycling.
Beyond Basics
Beyond the basics and what you already know about photography with digital devices, there is a lot more to learn about the G5, especially functions and functionalities that were new or have been upgraded from predecessor models. This may include, for example, HDR composites, Defocus shooting modes, the 14 creative filters (which include Miniature, Toy Effect, Soft Focus), and the silent electronic shutter, to explore and try out.
Images here were shot with the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) Panasonic Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 Asph., an ultra-compact, lightweight 'pancake, wide-angle lens (20.5mm thick, 55 grams in weight). The lens is a versatile 28mm equivalent on a 35mm full-frame, has fast autofocus, and is capable of delivering sharp, detailed images and good low-light performance, ideal for street, travel, and environmental photography.
No comments:
Post a Comment