Panasonic Lumix GM5 Review – Image Quality

Panasonic Lumix GM5 review sample image gallery

Colour and white balance

The GM5 generally offers even and neutral colour tones across the range, although there does seem to be a slight over saturation when it comes to the blues in a scale, making it well suited to landscape photography.

The model’s white balance is generally reliable as well, although it is worth paying attention to this setting in case you wish to make any custom adjustments.

Exposure

The GM5 benefits from several of the features found elsewhere in the G series, with the 1728-zone multi-pattern metering system being just one of these. The system delivers even exposures in general, although in some overcast conditions there was a slight tendency to underexpose.

Luckily the scroll wheel located within easy reach of the right hand takes care of this, and with a simple click it can be designated to control the exposure compensation range of +/-5 EV.

Resolution

Considering the camera’s reasonable resolution and decent-sized sensor, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the GM5 delivers a good level of resolution. It should be capable of producing enough detail for good prints up to an A3+ level, and does so even at reasonably higher ISO settings of 800 and 1600.

Noise

Throughout the base ISO settings and up to ISO 800, images are generally clean and noise free.

Above this, luminance noise becomes more of an issue and has an impact on detail at ISO 3200. The top ISO settings are almost best avoided thanks to overzealous noise reduction smearing detail.