I bought one of these used from Europe about 5yrs ago, and lost it in the first month during an emergency move to a different home. Today I found the camera, 2 lenses, and the original box. After thanking God multiple times, I nearly cried, and I'm a grown ass man.
The Micro Four Thirds manufacturers have left their historic buyers behind. They have focused on equipment specialized in professional video, often much larger than a full frame. And they have neglected those of us looking for a compact, portable, yet robust system. If manufacturers want to keep the Micro Four Thirds system alive, they need to go back to producing more compact mid-range and high-end equipment. In this regard, I fondly remember David Thorpe's channel, which always showcased the essence of what Micro Four Thirds used to be.
Yes yes yes yes!! For gods sake. The GM5 with 20mm 15mm 45mm lenses was SUCH a monster of a camera in a literally palm sized package. I want it back!!!!!!
Panasonic should make a GX10 with weather sealing like the GX8, but the GX9 form factor and tilt screen with a modification that allows the screen to tilt all the way under like the PEN E-P7. The GM5 is small, but has its limitation with fixed screen. The GX9 is much slimmer than the GX8 so if they could make a new GX10 that is the same size as the GX9 but include the weather sealing, it would be a winner!
The GM5 is unique. I think making a modern GM5 successor is more important than a GX9. A GM5 class body just can't be touched by any competitor, the GX9 can.
@@GungKrisna12 Basically a LX100ii with better EVF, updated Leica software, and designed like a Q3. The D-Lux8 still doesn’t have PDAF. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
You (we) may be waiting forever for a small body update. I’m afraid that train has left the station. Better think about sourcing a small camera before the prices, which have been going higher, continues to increase. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
@@log791 But not actually heavy at all, being imperceptibly heavier than my iPhone 15 Pro Max. At least with the 45mm f1.8 lens currently fitted with both implements sat six inches to my right just now.
@@hedydd2 Well, ~290g vs ~420g. The rest is all opinion. So my opinion: I prefer the much lighter weight to the features like IBIS. The only thing I'd miss from a GM5 is the swivel screen. I have the GX85, and I don't like its weight and grip. I even prefer my GF1's grip to it.
I've had my GM5 since it was launched and is still being used to this day. I'm glad there are poeple out there who still enjoys this little beast of a camera. They should definitely make an updated version at this size.
3 месяца назад
I bought my GM-5 a year ago (like new, only 250 shutter release count). This is my no 1 camera now (I have many more G9, E-P7, GM-1, GR III, LX100II but they are too big for me). I have been using m43 from its day one with Lumix G1 and still today I love m43 for what it was and for what it is. During my journey I lost joy of photography for sometime with all these big cameras I owned, but GM-1 and now GM-5 brings smile on my face every time I use these tiny gems. If Panasonic release GM-5 successor I am the first in line to buy it :)
My goodness! I had both the GX800 and the GM1 and sold them both to buy the GX80. Both are great cameras but the GX80 is perfection IMO as it has everything I want from a compact MFT camera and takes excellent photos and videos. I wish I kept the GX800 though, as these cameras have become so expensive to buy now.
I agree with you guys. Micro four thirds format should be continued. Not all fans fancy to drag a along a bag full of photographic equipment but we do want that magical picture quality that these gems have to offer.
Today finally received my GM5! It came with 12-32mm lens, and with external flash. All black. And with original packaging. Very good deal - even lower than the prices you named in the video. And with just over 4k shutter count! Also have two GM1 bodies with similar low shutter count, acquired from same source (not Japan) for prices significantly lower the ones on MPB. Your videos are very inspiring! Keep them coming!
I bought a used GX80 for street photography and a handy pocket camera. A bit bigger than the GM5 but comes with a tilting screen, great for discrete street photography. I use it with a 25mm 7artisan f/1.8. I'm very happy with it as a 2nd body.
@@martingreenberg870I think therein lies part of the problem: people who really want a small, pocketable camera that they can use their collection of m43 lenses on will mostly be happy with a second hand GM5, or a GM1 or GX1/7/9/80, and turn tracking them down into a branch of their hobby. They may buy a GM5ii if it is made, but might decide not to if the screen is or isn't fully articulated, or is or isn't fold-out. Equally, they may buy a second hand GX80/850/GX9/ GX7. Meanwhile a sizeable chunk of folks using a GH5 upgraded when the GH6 arrived, and again with the GH7.
I have a GM5 for 1 year now (353 Euros). Your video on the GM1 gave me the idea to get one. I have it with me at the office every day. A lot of buttons for such a small camera. The only thing I am missing is a tilting LCD for low angle shots.
Totally agree with you Emily! We need an updated version. I do not have one but I would buy a new version for sure with all the latest bells and whistles. I do like my LX100.2 and GX850 which are similar in size I think. Thank you for the video, great work as always! Take care!
Preach!!!!!! I literally want this camera in silver badly! If Lumix built two new cameras off of this the GM5 &/or the LX15 they could literally dominate the travel/edc camera market instead of trying to market to phone users!
I have two of them.The GM5 ist the best Lumix ever.I use this cam more than my GX9 and 8.With nice Leica lens you will have best quality pictures. The dials and the buttons have very better feeling as the gx9 buttons. I wish me a new GM or GX in high quality housing. Nice review. Best regards from germany.
Certainly a great find. People are going to talk about 4 things it doesn't do: 1) flip-out screen; 2) IBIS; 3) meagre 1/50 sync; 4) 4k video. I'm sure Panasonic would say: "get the G100D", which is a good compromise, but it doesn't really solve many problems either. What about "get the S9", but then you don't get any small lenses or a shutter/possibility for flash. Those compromises are nothing when considering the size and it still is the smallest DSLM with a hotshoe and EVF.
I have a red one. A little rubber finger grip on the front from Amazon made it much more pleasant to hold. I live in southern California and the back screen frequently is unusable because it is just too dim in bright light. EVF saves the day. You can find an extended rubber eyepiece for the EVF that prevents the washout from sunlight coming in from the side. I do love it though. It stopped working once and found that my local camera shop was able to get it repaired. I do wish that Fujifilm would study it and the Sony RX100 to truly learn how to miniaturize. Love your videos.
I wonder how many ‘this is my favourite/first camera’s’ you’ve had, Emily!!!! And no doubt more to come!!! Loved this review! Yes, would be nice to see a modern version of this particular camera.
Great video of a very cool camera. If the chatter on RU-vid is a true indication (and who knows if it is) the photography world is ready for a new generation of compact, range-finder-style interchangeable lens cameras, and MFT is in the perfect position to be the best platform for them. Hopefully, Lumix and OMS are listening.
I have one of these lovelies too (and I have the Gm1). Got the last new GM5 in Canada, for a good price about 7 years ago, maybe longer. Used it so much I basically wore out the thumb dial. Did you know that it originally came with a tiny mountable flash? But to be honest, I feel the G100 is a much better camera, though it is a bit larger, but that actually makes it easier to use. And I have 2 of those! I agree with you about begging LUMIX to please make more small cameras! Thanks for another great video.
Hi Marlen. I am thinking about getting a G100 one day. Now that the G100D is out I am waiting for one being available in my country (I can't believe there is not even a single store selling it in France - only available online and again not even French online stores - this is silly).
@@ImageMaven Back at you Marlene! Looking forward to your how to videos reappearing. Could YOU talk to LUMIX and advocate for us? It looks like lumix is abandoning photographers in order to focus on larger video bodies. Look at the S9 abomination. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
@@martingreenberg870 Hey Marty. Great to hear from you again. Not sure how much pull I have with LUMIX but I’ll definitely let them know that a lot of folks are looking for small photo centric cameras. It’s a tough market to crack these days because most people just use their phones for every-day-carry and vacation photos.
I remember walking into my local camera shop and the manager showing me the GM series camera. We both marvelled at how cute it was but I dismissed it at the time as being something I wanted to buy. Oh how I wish I had picked up a copy!
Emily and you are influencers. PLEASE advocate to LUMIX on our behalf for this. I would purchase a GM5 or GX8/80(85)/9 body with these features. Based on the comments on videos like this there is a market for this body. Maybe larger than the S9 market. Mask On Nurse Marty(Ret)
My third camera and my first M4/3 ! i absolutely love it, got it for 400€ with 3 lenses, Mzuiko 45mm // lumix 45-200 and 12-32 kit lenses, and it's was a really great deal i think. i've waited and checked marketplace everyday and i got lucky after a few month. A piece of advice, get a second battery as soon as you can. The camera is 10 years old, so are the battery that come with it, so grab a new one when they are still sold.
Even brand new a 2nd or 3rd battery is an excellent idea! New cameras don’t even come it’s chargers anymore. These small bodies have small batteries. The good news is 2nd party battery manufacturers provide chargers and batteries at a reasonable price. Since the extra batteries as so small they are easy to take with us when we go out to use our small cameras. Mask On Nurse Marty(Ret)
I got an excellent condition GM5 from MPB last year for just £280-with the mountable flash! I didn't realise how lucky I was. It was my first camera, and I have loved using it. With the Lumix/Leica 15mm f1.8 or the Lumix 12-32 kit lens, it is truly a wonder. My friends with 'real cameras' can't quite believe what I get out of it!
Love your video on this. The real spirit of Micro Four Thirds. Just managed to pick up a minty fresh, red GM5! Unreal how small they actually are! Only about 270g with the 14mm 2.5!
Same sentiment. I held on my m43 equipment because of its overall size. Instead of playing on its strengths Oly and Pana keeps on making bigger and bulkier cameras
Nice find! Love the GM5! I must get one again sometime. I'd love for them to pop in a modern sensor BUT fear there's some serious heat management to take care of. The new sensor would probably need a new processor, which would probably also need a new battery, and the three of them will also probably generate more heat - and there's nowhere for it to go in a camera this size. Hence the S5, which is probably about as small as they can now go with a modern processor and battery. That's my fear. I hope I'm wrong.
Let’s face it Gordon, when it comes to cameras you are seldom wrong. Like everyone who has dropped a comment here, I like small lightweight cameras. Great point about heat dissipation! Maybe the small body invission needs to be placed in a S9 body. So be it. I’m hoping the clever LUMIX engineers can figure something out. I look at the Ricoh GRiii for inspiration. How did they jam an APSC body into that tiny body? If Ricoh can do that, what can the lumix engineers do for us? Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret
Beware of the failing back dial and failing power switch. Very common failures. My dial died long ago. And every time I use it I think it will be the day the power switch breaks. I still love it for the size and eVF. I am with you though. I'd pay a bunch for an updated one.
I got lucky when I bought my GM5 on eBay in 2019 at a price that is half of what I see currently listed on eBay. It was in mint condition with the original packaging. It came (to Canada) all the way from Romania. I absolutely love the little gem.
This has been my biggest request on forums and comment sections of articles featuring Lumix cameras. I would love to have a GM5II with the new G9II sensor. If they could fit even 2 axis IBIS, I'd probably preorder. I didn't grab a GM5 during the fire sales and used examples in the USA are basically new MSRP. I ended up buying an LX10 and a GX85 instead. I also have a GF3, GX1, G9, and G95. I'm hoping to go to Tokyo soon and I'll be on the lookout for a GM5. Unfortunately I think most of the Asian market GM5s go right to ebay since they can get more selling to Americans online.
I love my GM5. I have bought and sold several Lumix and Olympus bodies since getting the GM5. They might have had more features and slightly better image quality, but none of them made me want to take more pictures the way the GM5 does. The GM5, Fuji X10, and Ricoh GR are the gems of the small camera world.
cool, after getting a GM-1, I started looking for a GM-5, just got one too after looking for a year, so far its been awesome to use where I have to have a viewfinder!
I love mine, I imported the red one about 2 years ago from GB for a way to high price. But the red version is even harder to come by. The only good thing it had a shutter count of 650 and the MFT to Leica adapter within the package. I think im gonna cry if that one ever dies. But it was hard to get one when I bought it, and unfortunately it did not get any easier.
My GM5 is my favorite tiny camera, a very well designed camera. Glad you talked about it, as we don't find a lot of content about it on RU-vid. I paid mine 250 euros (with the tiny flash and the 12-32mm lens) 2 years ago here in France (on a a local used market plateform between people), a real bargain !
Agree, it’s a beauty and a great b-cam. Size is everything in MFT world. I’m not sure what the development team is basing their recommendations for development on, but if they haven’t talked to you or any of the influencers in the community, they aren’t doing their job as good as they could. If we want this camera updated, we need to convince some of the developers. It’s that simple.
So happy to see this video, and extremely happy to see how much you liked it! I really hope someone from Lumix watches this video and reads the comments and realises that there are enough diehard fans to justify a new GM!
I have both, the GM5 as well as the GX8. GM5 is the best for travelling and as soon the weight and size is impotant. The EVF works better than I thought first. Even the cam is 10 years old, the noise is not dramatically higher than the GX8. I have used it during some business trips also for TWAN (the world at night) as well as for Astrophotos (using a simple Genie mini as a tracker). The 12-32mm and the low end 35-100mm are a good choice zoom lenses - but also the 42.5 F1.7 prime fits very well to the camera. I love it and have it often along with me as an additional backup or as second cam. Thanks for the video. Ralph
Absolutely, Panasonic, please update this with maybe the following icings on the cake: the new PDAF, 4K, weather sealed, IBIS, a microphone port and maybe maybe a flippy screen (if it doesn't make it too heavy)... that would be my dream EDC camera! :)
I concur with your icing on the cake except I prefer a tilting screen. That screen is more in line with a small body. Here’s hoping. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
@@log791 I could also live without IBIS, but for some people it's indispensable... maybe one option would be to include gyro data to get excellent post production stabilization!
I love my GX85 and while it's a smidge larger than the GM5 it's still as small as my hands could comfortably handle, has a great flippy screen, EVF, decent 4K video and IBIS.
I have and use both cameras, GM1 and GM5. In my experience both have the same quality regarding materials and build. Besides the obvious differences with EVF, hot shoe, and scroll wheel another advantage of the GM5 is the possibility to quickly toggle the screen's touch function on and off. The lack of this is in my view the biggest nuisance of the GM1. And I fully agree: this is how MFT cameras should look like.
Really want LUMIX to update the GX85/80. Add IBIS and update the AF to the new system that actually works. 16 MP sensor with a fast readout and keep the AA filter far away from me! Do not need to add megapixels! Tilt screen, not a flip out screen. The old one is still a great camera for travel, amazing photo quality in a tiny (but heavy, which I actually like) package.Also great as an EDC camera with a small prime/zoom combo!
Thank you for mentioning the possibility of changing Japanese only menus to English! It is so frustrating to find a prime example of a Lumix camera on eBay, only to find the menu is Japanese only. I've never understood why a manufacturer would lock a camera down to one language, especially when the other languages are already there, but hidden.
I've always been hearing people singing praises for the GM5 and after briefly owning a GX9 and hating the EVF since I'd started with a GX8, I've always wondered why. But now I get it.
@@GrahamAtDesk heh I wasn't but I suspect there was an issue with my GX9's EVF. It was blurry so there was no way for me to see the entire image in one clear shot. It was like the Diopter adjustment didn''t go far enough. The thing is I'd used a GX85 before and don't remember having an issue with that. Eventually I sold the GX9 because of that and the AF missed too many easy shots, compared to my other cameras. LOVED the form factor tho
I love GM1&5 too : ) As a Lumix user I'm so frustrated that the MFT compact is being left behind by Panasonic. Isn’t DJI OSMO Pocket 3 enough to prove that compact products with 1" sensor can also sell very well? They still think Lumix compact can't!? XD
The GM5 was my dream tiny Micro Four Thirds camera, but it's extremely hard to find used. The ones I could find are asking as much as when the camera was new! ($800+). I also looked for the GM1, but it's too pricey used too, so I ended up getting the GX850. Good compromise between tiny and cheap, with good quality (no AA filter). If Panasonic could revive the GM series with just the 20MP sensor, never mind the new 25MP sensor, it would be a dream!
I replaced my too small GM1 with the E-PL7. GM5 and E-PL7 were released at the same time. Yes the E-PL7 is slightly larger but we get what the GM5 missed out on. The extra weight of the E-PL7 is its mostly metal construction. We get an excellent tilt screen and a great swivel EVF with the add-on 2.4 million dot VF4, and it has IBIS. Whilst the single wheel around the shutter button gives you the primary parameter, a prod of a button brings up the other two. The GM and GF got assimilated into the GX line-up.
Speaking of compact, the GX line needs to live on. If Sony can do a compact a6700, where is Lumix with a powerful GX9 successor? I'm sure so many would love to see this come true.
I love my GM5. Mine is red. It's my primary camera. The only thing I don't like is the focus and exposure lock. I don't miss the lack of IBIS as much as I thought I would.
Totally agree with you (and I have been shooting with this for a few years). Just be careful with the on/off button and treat it very gently, as that's the only weak spot in its design (better to let it go to sleep than turning it off and on all the time). What a shame the S9 is not built to the same specs WITH a viewfinder, even a small one!:)!
Agree! Also just want to leave a comment, that Panasonic needs to focus on cameras like this! I sold my GM5, because it wasn't that great in the low light. But oh man, when paired with 14 2.5 or 15 1.7 on the wide and 45 1.8 or 42.5 1.7 on the tele it was great. Also kit lens 12-32 together with the small 35-100 made great combo! I wish there would be mark 2. If they could do this 10 years ago, imagine what they could do now!
Thank you so much for making this!! Bought myself a red and black gm5 about the same time you bought yours and love it too. Although I would say my gm1 has sharper photos than gm5 even though same sensor.
A GM5 mk ll, w G9 LL sensor and weather sealing (w weather sealed kit lens), latest software obviously would be fantastic for hiking/climbing/cycling/outdoor enthusiasts that don't want to carry a bunch of bulky camera gear, as well as obviously travel/candid photography
I love how Leica is selling the LX100 as a new idea and all the influencers are going gaga over the DLux8 at $1600. And here we are enjoying small lumix cameras saving a bundle.
Looks very like a GX80 to me. The Gx80 even has a flippy screen, pop up flash as well as hotshoe and video button in a better place. Plus in-body stabilisation and the newer soft shutter that eliminates shutter shock which was an issue with earlier Lumix cameras.
There are some available at MPB from time to time. Last winter there were about 8/10 GM5 a the same time but they were expensive (500+ Euros). As soon as the price dropped they were all sold within a week.
Bought the gm5 new 10 years ago (already!) after going through a number of g series canon point and shoot cameras (that I loved using). Limited by the fixed zoom lenses it was time to get back to an interchangeable lens camera. I didn’t realise this camera existed at the time and was eyeing the Olympus em5 (but thought it a little large) and then I chanced apon the gm5….and the body was smaller than the g15 I had at the time! I still remember the salesman saying it was too small for my large hands. 😂 Needless to say I still have the camera, along with a couple larger cameras, but the gm5 still gets the most use simply because I can throw it into my coat pocket with the tiny 12-32, 15 or oly 17mm lens. I dread the day it should stop working….come on Panasonic, give us an update pleeeeeease! Oh, and I use it with a wrist strap to avoid dropping it. The thing is so light and small that putting a camera strap on it makes it look silly 😁
The GM5 is one of the coolest cams ever made. I bought a mint one 2 or 3 month ago. Newest tech isn't everything. There is no real competitor for this cam and there are a lot of small lenses from Olympus and Lumix that work brilliantly with it.
Hi as you like little camera, s just wanted to tell you about my first panasonic lumix camera it wasn't a 4/3 but l realy had lots of realy good fotos and short vids with it , yes it was a Lumix TZ 22 and it was a fantastic blue , also metal would probably fit into your small camera collection, you had a lot of things to play with on it , l still have it somewhere in its box , Barrie
GX9ii would be phenomenal, or an LX100iii/LX200. With PDAF? I’m not sure why Panasonic hasn’t done it because it would be proper competition to the X100 or GRIII
I really love my Olympus PENs, a PL2, PL6, and PL8, because they are small and just do it all, and the built-in waggy sensor works better than a dog's tail for correction shake! More importantly, regarding your painted beater cam, when travelling, there are places, where a cruddy looking camera with gritty graffiti spray-paint is actually a good thing, because it's like WHO WANTS IT??? If you can disguise a Ferrari as a golden-beige BMC Princess or a totally rusted out Fiat Uno of unidentifiable colour, that is a good thing Try going there with a high end Leica instead, and see what happens to your neck strap and accessory bags
Yes, yes, yes, we want updated small MFT cameras! The GX80 has become the digital camera I carry when I'm shooting film to grab some video and to continue shooting after I finish my roll. I'm really enjoying it. If it had Real Time LUT, v-log, PDAF and an EVF that doesn't give me rainbow vision I'd be even happier, but it's like 90% there for the perfect camera, especially for street photography.
@@benkwongcw I'd manage without IBIS since it's meant for fun and can't be a serious camera like the G9ii anyway. Fast wide f1.7 eliminate shake and the 42.5 f1.7 has optical stabe. If it gets too thick and heavy by adding IBIS and a flip screen it becomes a GX9 and not a GM5. But obviously it needs phase detect and the new sensor.
Any viewers know if the Japaense to English workaround works on a GX85? Recently subscribed here. Thanks for all your tiny camera series videos Emily! I have an S5 but have been finding it to be too chunky to want to take around when doing fun stuff with family. I've been leaving it at home for personal stuff and just using my iPhone. However, I think I've landed on trying to get a GX85 as my "dad cam", and I found a well priced one but the description says it is in Japanese.
I got the same in red with a 20mm 1.7 and a 12-32 for versatility. Good quality but the screen and the visor are really bad but very helpfull outside. A strap like wiimote is very cool on it because you dont have any grip. A real beast
@@lorenz82yt Ah, but if it cost £900 new, and a GX80 was £300 second hand, would enough people actually buy a GM5ii if it came out? Look at how many people say they want on of these with PD auto focus, weather-sealing, and a flippy screen, only to have someone else say they'd only want it with a tilting screen. Suppose they make a GX10: should it be as close as possible to a GX9, or to a GX8? Would GX8 afficionados buy it if it were more like a GX9, and vice versa?
It's not possible to fit an IBIS system and a flip screen in a tiny camera body. You have to make sacrifices somewhere. Thats why Panasonic only made two of these and neither sold very well. Most people would rather have a larger body and have Panasonics fantastic IBIS and a flip screen.
This and the Panasonic GF1 are Panasonics Lumix BEST camera designs ever of any of the Micro Four Thirds cameras ever to be released. This GM5 and the GF1 deserve updates while keeping the integrity of the designs ! I love my GF1! 🥰
That was a special little camera, especially with the leather half case fitted. I took many of my best photos with mine. I stopped using it after I stepped up to the GX7, which for me has been the pinnacle of the series
@@GrahamAtDeskyou know what I never even knew about this half leather case ! Wow now I have to go see if I can find one for mine! I still use mine I love it so much.
I think make two versions. One with all the bells and whistles and m43 mount just like the gm1/gm5. Then make one with a fixed lens to give competition to the Ricoh GR in a crazy small package that fits every pocket
