GM5 vs GM1, any plus for the GM1?

[Karld70]

Other then the increase in size, being more expensive and built in flash, is there anything the GM1 does better then the GM5?

Unfortunately, I don't have the camera in a store near me so I need to order it blind as far as putting my hands on it. I ordered a GM1 last week, and love almost everything about the camera other then the control wheel. The short of it is, after playing with it all weekend, I have become much better at it, and if I had to could live with it, but think I will be happier with the change made to the GM5.

I don't want to change one issue for another, so asking anyone who has some experience with GM1/GM5 if there are any issues with the GM5 over the GM1 before I send the GM1 back, perhaps it might make me decide to just keep the GM1

Thanks

 

[broody]

The GM1 has a bigger 3:2 screen. The GM5 screen is the same width, but shorter at 16:9. Not such a big deal, as it's a high-quality screen anyways, but it's the one thing that consoles me that I don't have the newer model

I'd go for the GM5 myself. I love my GM1, but the fact that the GM5 doesn't have a built-in flash makes me more confident about its build quality. The thin, frail plastic that holds up the GM1 flash unit is the only thing that compromises its build quality. The GM5 is sturdier as a result, and should have no weak points. Also while the hotshoe isn't too useful for flash due to the max sync speed of just 1/50 in both models, it can hold an accessory such as a Zoom recorder should you want to take a video, or place a bubble level, etc.

 

[PSCL1]

OP, you haven't had the GM5 hands-on. What makes you think you'd like it better? Are you sure you are not just switching because the GM5 is new? And its lack of onboard flash would rule the GM5 out for me. I've had the GM1 for a couple of weeks now and, yes, the control wheel can be irritating. But it is a truly pocketable camera with options which require a 248-page instruction manual! Forget the GM5, keep the GM1, and enjoy it for what it is - not for what it isn't.

 

[Impulses]

Personally, I prefer the larger screen and built in flash over an EVF + hotshoe, and at less than half the price the GM1 was too much of a bargain to resist (just bought one myself)... I don't consider it my main camera tho, otherwise I'd probably want that EVF.

The GM5 has a couple very nice firmware advantages, see here:

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/55362447

Auto ISO in M and blinking highlight warnings in live view are the most notable, I'm hoping both show up on all future Panasonic bodies.

The wheel is more subjective, I've been using P&S with similar wheels as the GM1's for over a decade tho so there was no adjustment period for me. I'm not sure if I'd like a stiffer wheel, might feel slower...

 

[Karld70]

OP, you haven't had the GM5 hands-on. What makes you think you'd like it better? Are you sure you are not just switching because the GM5 is new? And its lack of onboard flash would rule the GM5 out for me. I've had the GM1 for a couple of weeks now and, yes, the control wheel can be irritating. But it is a truly pocketable camera with options which require a 248-page instruction manual! Forget the GM5, keep the GM1, and enjoy it for what it is - not for what it isn't.

Thank you for the thoughts, exactly what I'm looking for. First time buying a camera without being able to play with it, and it's a little frustrating. I'm coming from using DSLR's for many years, use to having two control wheels right there for changes. I certainly don't expect the the same level of control on such a small body, I'm really willing to give up a lot for the portability, and I really am loving the camera and the pictures I'm getting out of it (for my short test anyway). If there was no GM5 I would be keeping it, I don't find the wheel the end of the world, but it is irritating to me anyway.

Do understand the GM5 will not be as small, and I'm fine without the flash. I'm ok with the extra $225 for the camera if it's a good match for me.

 

[Karld70]

Personally, I prefer the larger screen and built in flash over an EVF + hotshoe, and at less than half the price the GM1 was too much of a bargain to resist (just bought one myself)... I don't consider it my main camera tho, otherwise I'd probably want that EVF.

Yea, I don't own a point and shoot camera, but was not expecting the EVF to really be big enough that I would use it that way, I'm going to embrace using the screen.

I have no M4/3 lenes, (well I just picked up the 45 1.8) so I need to buy the camera with the kit lens, so for me it's a $225 difference. Of course that's a good piece of another lens, I still have to get a tel lens to at least have a basic kit, that is $ that could go to it.

The GM5 has a couple very nice firmware advantages, see here:

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/55362447

Auto ISO in M and blinking highlight warnings in live view are the most notable, I'm hoping both show up on all future Panasonic bodies.

Thank you for pointing that out.

The wheel is more subjective, I've been using P&S with similar wheels as the GM1's for over a decade tho so there was no adjustment period for me. I'm not sure if I'd like a stiffer wheel, might feel slower...

Yea, I don't have a p&s, so that type of wheel is new to me. it's not so much a problem spinning it, I have a problem pushing the buttons by mistake, maybe if it took a harder press to have it trigger the button, perhaps I have a sensitive copy?

 

[Karld70]

The GM1 has a bigger 3:2 screen. The GM5 screen is the same width, but shorter at 16:9. Not such a big deal, as it's a high-quality screen anyways, but it's the one thing that consoles me that I don't have the newer model

Hey thanks, that is a plus for the GM1, didn't think about that.

I'd go for the GM5 myself. I love my GM1, but the fact that the GM5 doesn't have a built-in flash makes me more confident about its build quality. The thin, frail plastic that holds up the GM1 flash unit is the only thing that compromises its build quality. The GM5 is sturdier as a result, and should have no weak points. Also while the hotshoe isn't too useful for flash due to the max sync speed of just 1/50 in both models, it can hold an accessory such as a Zoom recorder should you want to take a video, or place a bubble level, etc.

 

[Impulses]

Personally, I prefer the larger screen and built in flash over an EVF + hotshoe, and at less than half the price the GM1 was too much of a bargain to resist (just bought one myself)... I don't consider it my main camera tho, otherwise I'd probably want that EVF.

Yea, I don't own a point and shoot camera, but was not expecting the EVF to really be big enough that I would use it that way, I'm going to embrace using the screen.

I have no M4/3 lenes, (well I just picked up the 45 1.8) so I need to buy the camera with the kit lens, so for me it's a $225 difference. Of course that's a good piece of another lens, I still have to get a tel lens to at least have a basic kit, that is $ that could go to it.

The GM5 has a couple very nice firmware advantages, see here:

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/55362447

Auto ISO in M and blinking highlight warnings in live view are the most notable, I'm hoping both show up on all future Panasonic bodies.

Thank you for pointing that out.

The wheel is more subjective, I've been using P&S with similar wheels as the GM1's for over a decade tho so there was no adjustment period for me. I'm not sure if I'd like a stiffer wheel, might feel slower...

Yea, I don't have a p&s, so that type of wheel is new to me. it's not so much a problem spinning it, I have a problem pushing the buttons by mistake, maybe if it took a harder press to have it trigger the button, perhaps I have a sensitive copy?

Having seen several threads about it, I think it's more of a technique thing... If you try to rotate the wheel with your fingertip it's harder not to exert too much pressure, I tend to sorta flick it with the side of my thumb (right side, on the left or screen side of the wheel), others seem to use their fingerprint...

And others don't care or don't want to adapt and deal with it, nothing wrong with that IMO. No kind of physical control point can be universally loved. I have thin long fingers and have logged way to many hours in videogames, that might be a factor too.

 

[photofan1986]

Bigger screen, and flash: It's built in and it can bounce. Two very important points for me on this kind of camera.

 

[Gbone]

Not for me. I have both and since getting the GM5 have not touched the GM1. Well that's not totally true, I use the GM1's battery in the GM5. I absolutely hated the wheel (of the GM1) and often found I couldn't see the screen on sunny days making any adjustments or composition impossible.

 

[Lab D]

Bigger screen, and flash: It's built in and it can bounce. Two very important points for me on this kind of camera.

Good points! Both those and the price difference make the GM1 a better option for me.

 

[SamKnopf]

I tried out a GM5 in the store, and I concluded that it was too much of a tunnel vision thing. I would not want to rely on that for regular use. If I owned the GM5 and expected to be outdoors in sunny weather, I would take a different camera, rather than plan to rely on its viewfinder.

Pocketability is only important when photography is not an important aspect of the occasion. For normal use, something like the GX7 or EM5 is quite small enough.

The GM1 is fine for casual shooting indoors for social occasions, etc. If you are going to use it with the LCD screen anyway, then it is better to have the one that has the larger screen. As already noted, it also has a built-in flash. You can use an external one on the GM5, but that defeats the purpose of having a very small package.

Once you appreciate what the concept of the GM1/GM5 is, I would argue that the GM1 is actually the better execution of it.

I recently took along the GM1 with a 20mm lens to a family party, and got some great low light shots that I couldn't have gotten with a point and shoot, and didn't have to feel like a nerd with a big SLR around my neck. When not in use, the GM1 fit in my jacket pocket. It is perfect for what it is.

 

[Sabatia]

Having owned the GM1 for eight months and now the GM5 for three months, it is like night and day. You are exactly right, in addition to the wheel, which my fingers never got used to in all that time, it was impossible to see in bright sun.

Contra the poster before you, the evf is small but it works in nearly every circumstance. And contrary to his comments, I take it with me every day hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, etc., often in bright sun made brighter by all our snow, and I haven't had a moment's problem. As well, when going out for a long ski/climb/walk there is a substantial difference between the GMs with their tiny lenses and anything else. For many years I stopped taking any kind of interchangeable lens camera with me and relied on unsatisfactory high-end point and shoots. The GMs have given me much more flexibility and much much better image quality in kits that I can take with me into the wild and remote places that are my joy in all four seasons.

I also enjoy using other lenses on the little guys, particularly the smaller primes. But sometimes I have it with me with my big lenses and it is such a gas to put the 100-300 or the 35-100 2.8 on it. Currently I am getting ready to use the GM5 with the Oly 12-40, an L bracket, and a mini tripod to capture tiny wildflowers in remote places on mountain summits and by the shore in northern Canada.

 

[junk1]

GF7 is similar too, so you (and other potential GM1/GM5 buyers) might want to consider it as well.

From what I've read from people switching from GM1 to GM5, they felt the controls were better laid out on GM5..something about hitting the movie button or something else with right thumb...I definitely recall people saying they hit "controls" on the LCD on accident with right thumb. The GM1 review on here or the other digicam site may even mention that?

I don't own either, but prefer the GM1 because the GM5 is way too expensive, and you can find used GM1's.

 

[junk1]

I agree. Hopefully GM2 will be similar to GM1 (no EVF to keep cost, size, and weight down), and GM6 will replace the GM5

 

[Impulses]

GF7 is similar too, so you (and other potential GM1/GM5 buyers) might want to consider it as well.

From what I've read from people switching from GM1 to GM5, they felt the controls were better laid out on GM5..something about hitting the movie button or something else with right thumb...I definitely recall people saying they hit "controls" on the LCD on accident with right thumb. The GM1 review on here or the other digicam site may even mention that?

I don't own either, but prefer the GM1 because the GM5 is way too expensive, and you can find used GM1's.

I think most complaints revolve around the dial, the movie button is better recessed than any other camera of this size that I've had, you really have to push your finger right into it to depress it and it's probably impossible with a glove or the flat part of a thumb.

 

[Sean65]

I handled both in a shop today and without question would choose the GM5. Mainly because of the thumb dial on the back of the camera that makes changing settings a breeze. This is especially convenient when you're in M, A or S semi automatic modes. It's hardly any bigger but just enough to make it more comfortable to use.

The thumb wheel makes it more friendly if you're coming from an SLR.

The EVF is fine for really bright days but it's not great. No biggy really.

The AF speed was very impressive.

I think I'll pick up the GM5, I thought it had better handling and build quality.

 

[Karld70]

GF7 is similar too, so you (and other potential GM1/GM5 buyers) might want to consider it as well.

From what I've read from people switching from GM1 to GM5, they felt the controls were better laid out on GM5..something about hitting the movie button or something else with right thumb...I definitely recall people saying they hit "controls" on the LCD on accident with right thumb. The GM1 review on here or the other digicam site may even mention that?

I don't own either, but prefer the GM1 because the GM5 is way too expensive, and you can find used GM1's.

Thanks,

I did look at the GF7 also, not as small but still a small camera. I really like just about everything about the GM1, so I'm really just looking at the GM5, more or less the same camera as a possible alternative.

I don't find the price difference that great, I need to get the body with the kit lens since I don't have a M4/3 lens collection, so it's a $225 price increase. I guess that is a bit when you consider it as % increase, but I"m ok with the difference if it gets me a camera that will be a better fit for me.

 

[Karld70]

Bigger screen, and flash: It's built in and it can bounce. Two very important points for me on this kind of camera.

Thanks that's a good point about the bounce. Is it strong enough of a flash to light up using it as a bounce? I'll have to try a test shot tonight. It seems like a weak flash, I would have thought if you bounced it up it would not have enough power to light up your subject.

Overall I don't really use the flash. My main use for it would be as a fill flash outdoors if someone had the light behind them. But at the flash sync speed of the GM1/5, I don't think it will really be useful for fill flash.

 

[Impulses]

Bigger screen, and flash: It's built in and it can bounce. Two very important points for me on this kind of camera.

Thanks that's a good point about the bounce. Is it strong enough of a flash to light up using it as a bounce? I'll have to try a test shot tonight. It seems like a weak flash, I would have thought if you bounced it up it would not have enough power to light up your subject.

Overall I don't really use the flash. My main use for it would be as a fill flash outdoors if someone had the light behind them. But at the flash sync speed of the GM1/5, I don't think it will really be useful for fill flash.

Kinda depends how high the ceiling is at no?