Panasonic Lumix GF5

The wait is finally over. With just one year after the release of its predecessor, the Panasonic Lumix GF5 is one heck of a user-friendly upgraded addition to the company’s lineup of Micro Four Thirds camera. At first glance, one could only notice the new rubberized grip that the GF5 possesses as compared with the GF3s. This feature is especially useful for single-handed shooting. Turning on the camera however leaves the user feeling satisfied in buying something which has the same curvy and compact design of the previous model. A redesigned image sensor of 12.1 megapixel Live MOS and the latest version of the Venus processor with Multi-process Noise Reduction give the Panasonic Lumix GF5 the ability to achieve a maximum 12800 ISO and 0.09s autofocus. This goes side by side with shooting a 1080i Full HD or MP4 format video made possible by its stereo microphone. Though its burst mode capabilities have increased from 3.8 frames-per-second to 4, its battery life has dropped from 340 shots to 320 creating noise-reduced low-light captures as part of its new processing technique.
The 3 –inch touch-enabled 922,000-dot LCD gives a helpful hint to first time shutterbugs. Icons are sporadically displayed which aids a lot in scrolling or tapping through a menu. The camera, designed to offer simple usage and guide to curious hobbyists, provides tons of explanations about a chosen icon and setting. This gives a sense of security knowing that one can never go wrong every time the camera is clicked. Packed with multiple shooting modes and new onboard filter modes like Dynamic Monochrome, One Point Color, Low Key, Star Filter, Soft Focus, Impressive Art, Cross Process, and Toy Effect, no wonder the GF5 gets all the ranting and raving it deserves. Sold in red, black, and white varieties, the Panasonic GF5 is set to hit the stores later this year. It will come in two different kits. The standard kit with 42mm zoom lens has a price tag of $599. Likewise, the one with a retractable 14-42mmpower zoom lens is priced at $749 (BHD 285).