ron moore Loc: surrey, UK

hi everyone

I am thinking of changing my canon 500d for the new
panasonic lumix mirror less G5 has anyone out there got one, if so can they give me their opinion.

regards ron moore

derek dirty knees

I am using the previous version of the G5, the G3.
I purchased it as a light weight alternative to a larger DSLR. I am quite content with it. It is more responsive than the DSLR due to no lag for the mirror to move out of the way before the shutter can open.The auto focus is very fast under good light conditions, but very slow under very low light condition, sometimes to the extent that the shutter will not open. It can be set up to work completely automatically, if required, to the extent that it will automatically change the ISO rating if necessary.

ron moore Loc: surrey, UK

hi derek

thanks for your help and quick reply

regards ron moore

farmerjim Loc: Rugby, England

Hi Ron, I use an old G1 but have no experience with the G5. That said I can say that the Lumix G is a joy to use. Smaller than a DSLR as every-one knows but it's also small than some bridge cameras [my Fuji S200exr, for e.g.] The fully tiltable rotatable LCD screen is another bonus.

Spindrift62 Loc: Dorset, England. U.K.

Can't speak for the G5 but I've swapped all my Canon gear for a G1X and a G2 with assorted lenses. If you are going for a manual zoom go for the 14-45 rather than the 14-42, it is razor sharp and it is considered a better build than the 14-42. The 20mm F1.7 is superb and can't be faulted. I can also recommend the 45-200, another razor sharp lens. I don't regret the change to micro 4/3rds one bit. The kit does everything my Canons would do except give me a hernia when carrying it all about. Also being much smaller it attracts much less attention than the equivalent SLR gear which is handy for street photography or shooting in 'risky' situations.

kerfree Loc: Sebago and Sanibel

Do a search for fototaker27 - he was researching the g5, very impressed with it, and was close to purchasing it a while back. I have the g5's big brother, the new Panasonic GH3. It is in a word - FABULOUS - my dream camera. Don't think you'll ever look back, if you go for either one.

farmerjim Loc: Rugby, England

I agree with Spindrift. If you do go for a G5, get a body only and look around for an old 14-45mm kit lens.

fototaker27 Loc: Dumfries & Galloway Scotland

Hi kerfree, How you doing, I had a play with your new toy what a big camera in a small housing. The GH3 is outstanding, 20 frames a second. I did ridiculous crops on on various subjects from ISO 800 to 6400 there was a tiny amount of noise appearing at ISO 6400 but still usable with a tad of noise reduction. As to our friend looking to buy a G5 it is an excellent camera but not in the same league as the GH3. I would say save your pennies and buy into the GH3 system. The lenses are second to none even the lowest quality lens if that is the right statement as none are low quality leave a lot of Canon and Nikon lenses in their wake. I will go as far as to say the GH3 is probably the best kept secret in Digital photography today, purely because few die hard Nikon/Canon users will ever give the GH3 a look. I as a Pro have still got to warrant the change of a large Canon System to 4/3rds. Plus believe it or not there is a lot of equipment snobbery in the professional field to get over. So we will see what happens. All I can say is that Panasonic have played a blinder with this camera. Hell its Panasonic and Leica enough said

kerfree Loc: Sebago and Sanibel

Hi again fototaker27!

Thank you for chiming in! Especially since you've had your hands on the G5, GH3 and also have experience with Nikon/Canon systems.

I am still in complete and utter awe of the GH3 and wish I could quit my day job so I can be a full-time photography junkie... but then I couldn't afford the lenses on my dream lens list :) But back to the GH3 - the image quality is amazing and then the whistles and bells just go on and on! I'm having a absolute blast learning something new about it every day! And I think it was your original post about your experience with it that started this adventure. So thank you, fototaker! Hope you soon have one of your own!! :D

ron moore Loc: surrey, UK

hi everyone

thank you all very much for your help, I am retired so the price of the GH3 is out of my league so i am going to have a look at thr G5 with a 14-45 lense

regards ron moore

regwoodphotography

Hello Everyone . I have just purchased the Panosonic G5 . I see it cheap in a "cash converter store" just the cam , no manual or software.., Purchased a manual from Oldcam.com I think . anyhow I have a load of settings to learn and to remeber where they are . been out twice with it . well pleased with some and dissapointed with others , this due to owner ignorance. I also purchased a Sony A500 with 4 lenses this weekend had a quick go with that... yet again need to get used to it . I have had 5 years with a panosonic DMC FS5 compact , you should understand the massive job at hand i have now learning.