Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 vs Samsung GX-1S

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 and the Samsung GX-1S, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 was introduced in April 2012 and Samsung GX-1S was introduced in January 2006. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 over Samsung GX-1S.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Samsung GX-1S over Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 has a 3.0" screen with 920k dot resolution and Samsung GX-1S has a 2.5" screen with 210k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 also features touchscreen which has advantages such as easy menu navigation, intuitive controls, quick setting adjustment and most importantly a Touch-to-Focus functionality allowing users to select a specific point on the screen where they want the camera to focus. This feature can be helpful for achieving precise focus in both photo and video recording.

Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder on Samsung GX-1S

Samsung GX-1S has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 95% coverage and 0.95x (0.63x 35mm equivalent) magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 features a 12.1 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 224.9 mm². Its native ISO range is 160 - 12,800. Samsung GX-1S features a 6 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.7 mm and a total area of 246.5 mm². Its native ISO range is 200 - 3,200.

Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 is equipped with Venus Engine FHD processor and can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4000 x 2672, 4000 x 2248, 2992 x 2992, 2816 x 2112, 2816 x 1880, 2816 x 1584, 2112 x 2112, 2048 x 1536, 2048x1360, 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 1200, 1600 x 1200, 1600 x 1064, 1600 x 904, 1504 x 1504, 1440 x 1440 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Samsung GX-1S can take pictures up to 3008 x 2008 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2400 x 1600, 1536 x 1024 with 3:2 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 has Micro Four Thirds lens mount and Samsung GX-1S has Pentax K_AF lens mount. Due to Micro Four Thirds sensor in Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 its crop factor is equal to 2x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 2. Due to APS-C sensor in Samsung GX-1S its crop factor is equal to 1.5x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.

No Image Stabilization

The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Samsung GX-1S nothing can be done. On Samsung GX-1S it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 nothing can be done.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.

Battery

Samsung GX-1S comes with 4 x AA battery pack.

External Storage Slots

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot. Samsung GX-1S has a single SD/MMC card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5, and up to 1/4000 sec on Samsung GX-1S. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 can shoot continuously up to 4.0 fps. Samsung GX-1S can shoot continuously up to 2.8 fps.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 6.30 m on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5. Samsung GX-1S also accepts external flash. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 and 1/180 sec on Samsung GX-1S.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 body has dimensions of 108 x 67 x 37 mm (4.25 x 2.64 x 1.46") and Samsung GX-1S body has dimensions of 125 x 93 x 66 mm (4.92 x 3.66 x 2.6"). Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 weighs 267 g (0.59 lb / 9.42 oz) and Samsung GX-1S weighs 605 g (1.33 lb / 21.34 oz).

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5

Samsung GX-1S

108 mm

67 mm

125 mm

93 mm

67 mm

93 mm

37 mm

66 mm