New LUMIX GF5 Kits with 14-42mm Lenses

Panasonic’s new LUMIX DMC-GF5 is an ultra-compact, Micro Four Thirds interchangeable lens camera offering many of the features of a DSLR in a smaller form factor. Eliminating the mirror box and optical viewfinder of the traditional DSLR allows the camera’s mirrorless structure to be dramatically reduced in size while still preserving high image quality. This 12.1-megapixel wonder boasts fast autofocus, automatically-recommended creative effects with guides, one of the widest ranges of lenses available on the market, a smartphone-like touch screen, pro-quality JPEG or RAW still image capture, and 1920 x 1080 HD video recording in either AVCHD or MP4 formats.

B&H offers this camera as a GF5K kit with a LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH standard zoom lens, or a GF5X kit with a LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH lens. You’ll see finely detailed, highly realistic images with the GF5, courtesy of its 12.1MP Live MOS sensor and Venus Engine. Both work together to minimize as much noise as possible through processing to readout via 3DNR (3D Noise Reduction) and MNR (Multi-process Noise Reduction). The benefit is extended ISO 12800 sensitivity for beautifully clear high-resolution images even in low-light situations.

Intelligent D-range Control delivers more natural-looking images via optimization of the exposure of each region of the photo, eliminating blocked shadows and blown highlights and making sure that gradation and details enjoy beautiful reproduction. Thanks to Intelligent Resolution Technology, outlines, detailed texture areas and soft gradation areas are detected automatically. Signal processing is performed with high precision in the most effective manner possible. This means you get naturally crisp, clear quality in still-image capture and video recording.

The impressive and fast-acting Light Speed AF (approximately 0.09 second) with advanced contrast outperforms the phase-difference autofocus of many high-end DSLRs in both speed and accuracy.  Focusing is controlled by the image sensor, eliminating mechanical margin of error. Full-area focusing enables you to set focus on any point in your field of view. Combine this with the touch screen capability and you get free and intuitive frame composition that makes your job far easier.

With lenses that support contrast AF, you can choose from a slew of autofocus modes, enabling you to use one that’s just right one for any given situation: Pinpoint AF, 1-area AF, Multi-area AF, AF Tracking, and 1-area AF in Face Detection. You can also take advantage of Touch AF in video recording and AF Flexible (AFF), which resets focusing if your subject moves, ensuring that you still get the best results. You have access to Quick AF, as well, which begins working as soon as the camera is pointed toward your subject. Of course, you also have Manual Focus (MF), including MF Assist, allowing you to enlarge part of the image by 1x, 4x, 5x or 10x with a mere touch. If you like, use the AF+MF function for greater efficiency and precision in your focusing.

Avid burst shooters will surely appreciate the GF5’s ability to capture unlimited consecutive shots at 4 fps—at full resolution. When using the Full-time Live View, you can still get limitless 2 and 3 f-p-s bursts. This is a game changer for photographers who love to shoot sports or other action-oriented events and don’t want to miss a decisive moment.

The GF5’s Dust Reduction System works to eliminate dust and other foreign matter that could infiltrate your camera while you’re swapping lenses and show up as blemishes in your images. The camera’s Supersonic Wave Filter is the key to the success of this system.

Whether you’re a seasoned vet or a novice, you’ll be able to achieve stunning image quality with the GF5. Beginners can take advantage of the Scene Guide, featuring 23 sample photos from professional photographers. By choosing the sample closest to the scene before you, you direct the camera to automatically choose the optimal setting to get the best possible quality. Shooting procedures, technical guidance and even recommended lenses can be displayed to assist you.

With Creative Control, you can really allow the artist inside you to come out and flourish. Using the new GUI and menu tabs, you can switch filter effects with ease and preview them via Live View. You can also adjust the effect parameter, defocusing area and exposure compensation. Creative Control works effectively for video capture as well as for still shooting. It renders unique expressions by matching colors to your subject and the surrounding environment. Choose Miniature Effect Mode to play back your video at 10x speed for comedic effect.

Want to just focus on getting your shot without worrying about all the technical stuff? That’s what the Intelligent Auto (iAuto) mode is for. You just let the camera do the work while you stay in the moment, concentrating on shot composition and aesthetics. All you need do is point and shoot to get the best possible images under any conditions. In iA Plus Mode you have the added ability to adjust defocusing area, exposure compensation and white balance, merely by moving a slider with your finger.

The GF5 kits feature either a POWER O.I.S. or MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) lens that help counteract the effects of camera shake for clear, blur-free images. You also get Face Recognition and Face Detection AF / AE, as well as Subject Detection AF Tracking and Motion Detection via Intelligent ISO Control. The Intelligent Scene Selector perceives the ambient conditions and automatically selects the most appropriate Scene Mode for best image quality. For still images, these modes consist of Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait, Night Scenery and Sunset. Video modes include Scenery, Portrait, Macro and Low Light. Just by touching your subject on-screen, you cue the camera to judge and apply the optimal settings for the shot.

For even more control, you have the option to manually choose from six color types—Standard, Vivid, Natural, Monochrome, Scenery and Portrait—to help you achieve more detailed image settings or better match your shooting situations. Contrast, sharpness, saturation and noise reduction settings for each of these modes are customizable in five steps and stored in the camera’s memory for easy recall. 

Despite its diminutive stature, the GF5 features a built-in flash to improve lighting quality indoors or at night. The camera’s large 3-inch (7.6 cm) 920,000-dot LCD touch screen provides a 100% field of view. The wide viewing angle enables you to frame your shot in various ways for shooting and playback. Brightness is automatically adjusted according to the situation. With Full-time Live View, you can enjoy a full 100% view of what you’re shooting, and you can confirm depth of field and shutter speed effects as well.

When coupled with the power zoom lens in the LUMIX G X Vario series, the camera becomes a true imaging titan. The electric zoom lever makes zooming smoother and lets you focus on operating the shutter with your right hand. The zoom can be operated via touch control when the X-series power zoom lenses are attached. You can even check focal distance on your LCD screen. Enjoy Step Zoom, Zoom Resume and adjustable zoom speed.

With the optional LUMIX G 12.5mm f/12 lens, a compact 3D-capable lens, you can capture immersive 3D images and video without requiring a special three-dimensional shooting structure. Get 3D images sans distortion or time lag—even for subjects in motion.

The DMC-GF5 not only captures great photos but also records beautiful full HD 1920 x 1080 videos in the AVCHD format. The format allows for almost twice the recording time in HD quality over the conventional Motion JPEG, and provides compatibility with AV devices like HDTVs or Blu-ray Disc players. Or enjoy the ability to record video in MP4 format, which is great for simple editing on a computer or uploading to the Internet. Choose from 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720 and 640 x 480 resolution, all at 30p (NTSC). To complement your videos, the camera sports a stereo microphone with Dolby Digital Stereo Creator for capturing crisp, dynamic and realistic audio. Wind Cut blocks out background noise for better sound quality.

Your pictures and movies can easily be shown on the big screen by popping your memory card into the SD slot on a Panasonic VIERA TV or DIGA Blu-ray Disc player. You can also use an optional HDMI mini cable to connect the camera directly to and TVs that feature an HDMI input. The camera supports both SDXC and SDHC memory cards.

For the more advanced user who wants to delve into manual control and customization, the camera features a plethora of options. Extra Tele Conversion allows for extended zooming in all but the highest resolution settings. This is not a digital zoom function that can impair image quality; it uses a sensor crop to achieve the magnification. A choice of four photo aspect ratios is available. A total of three custom setting patterns can be memorized to the camera’s function buttons and frequently used functions can be quickly retrieved and switched using the Q.MENU button. One-push auto exposure and shading compensation further help in delivering correctly exposed and clear pictures. White balance can be adjusted and an Auto Bracket function records up to five images at varied exposure levels. Movable guide lines and a movable histogram are available, as well as a choice of ISO levels.

The included PHOTOfunSTUDIO 8.2 AE software enables you to sort and organize pictures you’ve recently taken, along with older photos stored on your computer. Face Recognition automatically sorts the images by registered faces without having to pick out each photo individually, when you just want images of a specific person. Enjoy slideshows with a plethora of fun effects and utilize your iTunes music library to create a score. The Short Movie Story Function makes it easy to create and edit a brief video; it’s as simple as choosing the pictures and video clips you want. Upload to Facebook and YouTube to share your creations with friends, family and the world. For RAW image capture, the SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE software tool allows you to apply various advanced functions to the RAW files.