Panasonic G5 Camera Ergonomic Review

Some of the G5's features are worthy of note. The electronic two way level indicator works well and I find myself using it quite frequently, especially with the camera on a tripod. It can be cycled on or off with the [Disp] button so it doesn't clutter  up the screen when not wanted. The new electronic shutter  provides  vibration free and silent image capture when required. It is effective in preventing Shutter Shock  which I have written about elsewhere on this blog. The e-shutter takes 0.1 seconds to scan the frame so it cannot be used with flash and may produce distortion in subject elements which move relative to the camera during the scan. It is also, for reasons unknown to me, restricted to a maximum ISO of 1600 and a longest shutter speed of 1 second.

The G5 has a Function Lever just behind the shutter release button. With no PZ lenses to be zoomed so I set the Function Lever to adjust exposure compensation. The rear dial performs all the usual tasks assigned to a mode dependent scroll wheel. A task/time/motion analysis shows that I use the Rear Dial about 50 times as often as the function lever. The camera nails correct exposure almost all the time in general photography so there is infrequent need for exposure compensation. Operational efficiency could be improved if the functions of these two  user interface modules (UIM) could be interchanged. How so ?  Because the right index finger is the one most suited to operate a main scroll wheel. Why ? Because it is the only finger on either hand which never has to take part in camera holding and support duty.  Presumably this improvement could be achieved in firmware. 

I am unable to say much about video or touch screen controls as I use neither, except that touch screen drag and drop actions are required to configure the Q Menu to personal requirements. The camera has various touch screen functions including [Touch Pad AF] which operates with EVF view. This works as advertised and may be of interest to some people. I found the fingers required to operate the function (literally) got in the way of normal camera operation. In addition right eye viewers have to stop holding the camera with the right hand to get the right thumb across to the monitor screen and left eye viewers have to stop supporting the lens with the left hand to bring the left thumb or other finger around to the rear of the camera and across the monitor screen. I found it much easier and less disruptive to the flow of image capture actions to switch off the [Touch Pad AF] function and just use the 4 way controller in [Direct Focus Area] mode for changing AF area position and size.

Like other Panasonic cameras the G5 has two digital zoom fcilities,  [Ex Tele Conv] and [Digital Zoom]. Both work well and deliver decent quality JPG images although the [ExTeleConv] permits normal control of active AF area size and position which is useful.  I have nothing to say about Scene Guide Modes or Creative Control Mode.

Image Quality   G5 RAW files converted in Adobe Camera Raw 7.2  at default settings, show slightly less noise across the ISO spectrum than those from the GH2, with equal sharpness. The difference is most marked in dark tones where close inspection shows that G5 files have more detail and less noise.  The same files have a more neutral, less blue shifted color balance. In Multi Area Metering Mode the G5 will often give 1/3 stop more exposure than the GH2, leading to brighter mid tones.  There is also with many subjects a different histogram curve shape, that of the GH2 being slightly biassed to the left. This means the GH2 allocates more image content  to the dark tones, which inherently contain more noise than light tones. When, as is often required,  those dark tones are pulled to the right with the Shadows slider in ACR the result is that more noise becomes evident in in the final image.  When used to photograph a standard Kodak Gray Card using Auto WB the G5 typically produces files which average 128 brightness at the frame center in ACR 7.2 with the red, green and blue channels exactly superimposed. The GH2 Gray Card files average 116 in ACR but with the blue channel to the right of the other two. In  plain language this means the G5 RAW files have lighter mid tones and more accurate white balance.

DXO Mark rates the G5 as having more Dynamic Range than the GH2 but in test photos of subjects with high brightness range, I could not convince myself of any significant difference in DR  between them. Overall, the G5 provides a modest improvement in image quality over the GH2 but is not quite up to the Olympus EM5. 

JPG files show loss of  fine texture and detail from ISO 160, with color shifts, notably in the blues. Hi ISO JPG's exhibit watercolor effect with loss of color, contrast and detail.

I find RAW files processed to "best result" in ACR to be more appealing. Sharpness and texture are better preserved by leaving a bit of grain in Hi ISO images.

Performance  In single shot single AF mode, pressing the shutter for each frame, the G5 will shoot 6 RAW files in 3 seconds, with live view, AF and AE on each frame, using a SanDisk 95 MB/sec card. The frame rate slows markedly at 8 exposures, presumably due to the buffer having filled at this point.  At M burst rate, with EVF preview on each frame and Large Good Quality JPG files, with the shutter held down, the G5 will fire 20 frames in 5 seconds [4fps] while the GH2 manages 20 frames in 6 seconds [3.3 fps].  So the G5 does have a slight edge in continuous shooting speed [JPG].

In general I can say that the G5 regularly gets the following important performance markers right:

* Auto ISO: The camera adjusts ISO to prevent shutter speed falling into the camera shake range and allows a slower speed if  OIS  is on.

* Auto Exposure: In general photography the camera selects an exposure to protect highlights if possible within the camera's dynamic range, while maintaining a well balanced range of middle and dark tones. The user still has to think about exposure compensation with subjects having mostly dark or mostly bright tones, as with any other camera.

* Auto Focus: In single shot, single area mode,  G5 AF  is fast, sensitive accurate and reliable. AF speed slows a little in low light but is still commendably prompt and accurate. I have the AF assist lamp turned off as it is rarely needed. In continuous drive, burst rate M using continuous AF, the camera can easily follow focus on moving cars in bright light, with a high rate of sharp frames..  Of the lenses which were available to me at the time of testing  the Olympus 40-150 mm scored a higher percentage [80%] of sharp frames than the Panasonic 100-300 mm [30%].  I had previously discovered with the GH2 and EM5 that the Olympus 75-300 mm and 40-150 mm lenses are more responsive in follow focus situations with fast moving subjects than the Panasonic 100-300.  The Panasonic can keep up with more slowly moving subjects such as board surfers.

I discovered while testing the camera that the active AF area can be set anywhere in the frame including the extreme corners.  I tested AF accuracy over the whole frame area. I divided the frame into five horizontal strips (with the camera in landscape orientation). Autofocus anywhere in the top four strips was accurate. But AF anywhere along the lowest strip adjacent to the bottom of the frame, was inaccurate, with blurred results. I did the same test with a Lumix GH2 with the same result. The G5 and GH2 are said to use the same sensor so I may have uncovered a generic problem. I have not seen this reported elsewhere.

Holding  The G5 body and handle have more curves than previous G cams to better match the hands and fingers which have to hold and operate the device. The center of the shutter release button is inset 22 mm from the right side of the body, while that of the GH2 is inset only 17 mm. The handle is of hybrid parallel/projecting type with a more overtly sculpted shape to accommodate the fingers. The right shoulder is raised so that even though the G5 is lower overall than the GH2, it's Shutter button is 3 mm higher and is angled forward more. The thumb rest on the G5 allows the right thumb to angle across the camera unlike the GH2 which forces the thumb to sit vertically on the right edge of the control panel.  On the G5, this opens up the angle between the thumb and index finger allowing the hand to adopt a more natural posture which can grip the camera with less effort.   Any one of these changes in isolation would not amount to much but together they make the G5 more comfortable and secure to hold than any previous G cam or the Olympus EM5.  This is a significant ergonomic achievement because all the G cams to date [pre- GH3] are at the lower limit of size compatible with good holding by adult hands. This usually means further size reduction has a deleterious effect but in this case the G5 is smaller in all dimensions than the GH2 but handles a little better. Not dramatically better [the GH2 is not bad]  but enough that when both bodies are available to me as is the case right now, I choose the G5.

Viewing  The G5 has very pleasant viewing arrangements with an excellent EVF and nice clear swing out and swivel monitor. The rubber eyecup of the G5 is wider and a little more comfortable than that on the GH2. The EVF jitters when panned in low light. The on [or under, depending on Display Style]  image data displays are comprehensive and easy to read. Both  the EVF and Monitor can be configured to have the same appearance providing a seamless transition from one to the other with auto eye sensor switching.

Setup Phase   The menu system is extensive with the function of some options requiring a visit to the operating instructions for explanation. The plethora of options could be daunting at first but study and practice pay dividends.  The G5 menus are less convoluted and puzzling than those on the Olympus EM5. As with other modern electronic cameras the function of many user interface modules [buttons, dials etc] can be selected from a long list which means that each user can, in effect,  build themselves a camera to suit personal requirements. Here are the settings which I use however others will choose different functions for the UIM's.

* Function Lever: Exposure Compensation.

* Motion Picture Button: Off.

* iA button: I would set this to Off  if  that were available as I never use iA but to prevent accidental activation I have it set to activate only with press and hold.

* AF/AE Lock/Fn1: Autofocus start/lock.

* LVF/LCD/Fn3 Button: eShutter. Automatic switching between EVF and Monitor with proximity sensor.

* Cursor Buttons [4 Way controller]: Direct AF area. This means the cursor buttons directly move the active AF area. You do need to press any one of the quadrants to activate the function.

* Delete/Return/Fn2: ISO.

* Touch Screen: Off.

Prepare Phase  Items in the Q Menu can be user selected/deleted which means each user can configure Q Menu to their own requirements with those  items required but no others. Fewer items in the Q Menu means faster location and selection of each. I recommend removing infrequently used items from the Q Menu. They can still be accessed from the Main Menus when needed. The graphical interface of the Q Menu is very nice, with two or three tiers of submenus on a single screen for easy location and selection of options.

I have only four functions on the Q Menu: OIS, Image Quality, Focus  Mode, and Drive Mode.

The Mode Dial is of standard type. There are C1 and C2 positions on the Mode Dial for custom presets. This system works well and is useful. It is more user friendly than Olympus EM5 Mysets. The Panasonic system always provides an immediate visual reference to the C position on the Mode Dial whereas the Myset system involves much button pressing and does not indicate the Myset in use by any means at all. When current camera settings are saved to a Custom position on the Mode Dial [C1, C2.1, C2.2 etc] the camera will save ALL current settings of every description. They can be subsequently altered at will of course while using the camera and will revert to the saved settings when the camera is switched off then back on or the Mode Dial is moved to a different setting then back again.   I use the Custom sets as below, users can choose any other combination of settings.

* C1: [Sport/Action] Image Size L, Quality Fine JPG, ISO Auto, AF Continuous, Burst Speed M, Shutter priority 1/800 sec [initial setting].

* C2.1: [Tripod, Landscape] Image Quality RAW, Timer 2 sec, eShutter On, ISO 160, AF single, Drive Mode Single, Aperture priority f5.6  [initial setting].

* C2.2: [ExTeleConv] Image Size M, Quality Fine JPG, ISO Auto,  AF Continuous, Burst Speed M, , Shutter priority 1/1000 sec [initial setting].

Capture Phase  Position and size of the active AF area can be changed quickly and easily with one's eye to the EVF.  Current Exposure Mode, ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed and EV+/- are clearly displayed in the EFV or monitor and are easily and quickly changed while viewing through the EVF. The camera permits considerable individual choice of button function allowing it to be configured to individual requirements. The AF/AE Lock button can be set to start/lock autofocus which allows the operator to separate AF from AE and capture. The button itself is well placed for easy operation while eye level viewing with much less [compared to the GH2] flexion of the thumb interphalangeal joint and the metacarpo-phalangeal joint.  All this means less derotation of the base of the thumb and better maintenance of grip on the camera.   Compared to the GH2,  there has been a subtle but ergonomically significant reshaping of the upper rear  section of the camera body and a reduction of the amount by which the monitor frame stands proud of the body.   One needs to spend time with both cameras [and I mean weeks, not just a few minutes]  to appreciate the benefit of these changes.   The 4-Way controller is of a modified "Rocking Saucer" design which is a substantial  improvement on the "Five Buttons" type found on the GH2 [and other cameras]. It could be further improved if the top, bottom and left edges were raised slightly to make them easier to locate by feel.  In general the camera is a pleasure to operate. The user interface modules [UIM, buttons, dials etc] are mostly well located and designed with a few caveats, see below.

Review Phase  The G5 has fairly standard arrangements for image review which works well enough. Adoption of the Olympus EM5 system would be an improvement, however. This enlarges the review image centered on the point of focus and allows scrolling between enlarged frames.

Update: 18 November 2012. Reader Brad C has discovered how to scroll between enlarged frames using the GH2 and G5 cameras. Enlarge the review frame and move the desired part of the frame to the center. Then press the scroll wheel until it clicks. A little circle symbol with two arrow markers appears in the lower right corner of the review frame. You can now scroll from one enlarged image to the next with the arrow keys.  Thank you Brad. 

Grumbles and suggestions for improvement   The G5 has, compared to some other cameras I have tested,  relatively few  ergonomic frustrations but there are some  items which could be improved.

* Buttons: For those of us who don't use video it would be nice to have the option to assign some other function to the Motion Picture Button.  It is in the right spot for an ISO control.  Likewise the [iA] button for those who would prefer to use this for something other than it's manufacturer assigned function.

* 4-Way controller: As already indicated this is much easier to operate by feel than the "Five Buttons" type on other cameras, but I have found I sometimes hit the right side inadvertently while handling the camera. This is a fairly common problem on small cameras with a narrow control panel area.

* Scroll Wheel [Rear Dial]:   The rear dial on the G5 is similar to that on the GH2  but moved to the right to allow the larger thumb rest. As with the GH2, the serrations on the dial are quite rounded in profile with a curved, smooth surface. The dial would be easier to turn if it had a sharper serration profile and slightly more prominent exposure outside  the body. 

* Multi Aspect Ratio Sensor: I found this feature on the GH2 very useful and used it frequently. So I was disappointed to see it missing from the G5 even though the two cameras are rumored to use the same basic sensor.

* Memory Card in Battery Compartment:  This is a minor issue but when one is using a camera frequently it is more convenient for the card to have a dedicated compartment on the handle side of the body.  

Conclusion   The G5  is compact, light and moderately priced, yet delivers good image quality, good performance and decent ergonomics. It is one of the few cameras which I appreciate more with ongoing acquaintance. Considering it's compatibility with  the extensive and growing lineup of lenses suitable for M43 cameras, I rate the G5 an easy camera to recommend. I had  the opportunity to use then chose between the G5, GH2  and EM5 as the basis for my my main camera kit and chose the G5.  I made this decision on the basis of the G5's more use friendly interface and ergonomics even though the EM5 has slightly better image quality.