Gadgetory

hi there this is the panasonic lumix dmc gf5 it's the company's replacement for its GF 3 entry-level interchangeable lens camera and while the GF 3 isn't perfect I really like it as a step-up model from a point and shoot for people who are ready for something faster and better than what they're using the most important physical change is the new grip the GF 3s was very slippery and this larger rubberized grip is a huge improvement especially if you need to shoot single-handed buttons are also bigger though the controls remain pretty much the same to go with a higher resolution LCD Panasonic redesigned the look of the touchscreen interface and it's a lot more attractive than before it also incorporates the flyout tab that debuted in the gx1 as well as interface hints there aren't a lot of new capabilities Panasonic's added a handful of special effects and will now offer suggestions of effects that can make your photos even more interesting when you're using one of the intelligent auto modes and the camera is updated to shoot 1086 di video in both a vc HD and mpeg-4 though it's the same resolution as the GF 3 the GF 5 incorporates a new version of the 12 megapixel sensor with an updated version of its image processing engine the images I shot with the pre-production model look ok but Panasonic still needs to tweak its noise reduction in JPEG processing a little before it ships still as long as you don't peer too closely at the high ISO sensitivity images they look pretty good but even this pre production unit is faster yet than the already fast GF 3 and in every day shooting it feels almost instantaneous even with raw plus jpg the camera will come in black white and red in a couple different kits one with this the 14 to 42 millimeter power zoom and another cheaper kit with the older 14 to 42 millimeter lens I'm still not a big fan of this lens mostly because I never find the zoom switch on the first try I end up fiddling with the manual focus which instead and wonder why it's not zooming it does look like the GF 5 will be better than a GF 3 and it's better optimized for snap shooters looking to step up I'll be back with a full review of it when it ships later this year I'm Laurie grinning and this is the panasonic lumix dmc gf5