Panasonic's mid-range MFT camera with 16.1MP sensor, EVF, and articulating touchscreen — a solid all-rounder.
The Panasonic Lumix G5 was released in 2012 as a mid-tier Micro Four Thirds mirrorless featuring a 16.1MP Live MOS sensor with a built-in OLED electronic viewfinder (1,440,000 dots). 6fps burst. 1080/60fps AVCHD video. No in-body stabilisation — relies on Mega OIS lenses for stabilisation. DMW-BLC12 battery. Body weight approximately 346g without battery.
16.1MP MFT Live MOS sensor. 6fps continuous burst. 1080/60fps AVCHD; also 720p/30fps MP4. Built-in OLED EVF (1.44M dots, 1.4x magnification, 0.7x equiv). No IBIS. DMW-BLC12 battery rated approximately 320 shots. Body weight approximately 346g without battery. Single SD card slot. Tilting 3-inch touchscreen LCD.
The G5's built-in OLED EVF distinguished it from the Lumix GF series compacts without viewfinders: outdoor composition in bright sunlight requires a viewfinder, and the G5's built-in EVF provides this without a hot-shoe add-on. The 1080/60fps AVCHD video was a step above the 1080/30fps of many 2012 MFT bodies. The 60fps refresh rate of the EVF itself reduces the motion blur visible in slower-refresh viewfinders.
On the used market the Panasonic G5 is very affordable as a vintage MFT mirrorless with built-in EVF. Condition checks: EVF OLED display quality, DMW-BLC12 battery health (shared with GH2, G6, FZ200), tilting LCD hinge, and single SD slot. No IBIS. Compatible with all Micro Four Thirds lenses from Panasonic, Olympus, and OM System.