Panasonic GM5 vs Sigma fp L

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 and the Sigma fp L are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in September 2014 and March 2021. Both the GM5 and the fp L are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are based on a Four Thirds (GM5) and a full frame (fp L) sensor. The Panasonic has a resolution of 15.8 megapixels, whereas the Sigma provides 60.2 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Panasonic GM5		Sigma fp L
Mirrorless system camera		Mirrorless system camera
Micro Four Thirds lenses		Leica L mount lenses
15.8 MP – Four Thirds sensor		60.2 MP – Full Frame sensor
1080/60p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 200-25,600		ISO 100-25,600 (6 - 102,400)
Electronic viewfinder (1166k dots)		Viewfinder optional
3.0" LCD – 921k dots		3.2" LCD – 2100k dots
Fixed touchscreen		Fixed touchscreen
5.8 shutter flaps per second		10 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealed		Weathersealed body
220 shots per battery charge		240 shots per battery charge
99 x 60 x 36 mm, 211 g		113 x 70 x 45 mm, 427 g

Check GM5 offers at
ebay.com
Check fp L price at
amazon.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 and the Sigma fp L? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Panasonic GM5 and the Sigma fp L. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The GM5 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the fp L is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sigma fp L is notably larger (33 percent) than the Panasonic GM5. Moreover, the fp L is substantially heavier (102 percent) than the GM5. It is noteworthy in this context that the fp L is splash and dust-proof, while the GM5 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the GM5 gets 220 shots out of its Panasonic DMW-BLH7 battery, while the fp L can take 240 images on a single charge of its Sigma BP-51 power pack. The power pack in the fp L can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

Body Specifications

#		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Panasonic GM5	99 mm	60 mm	36 mm	211 g	220	n	Sep 2014	749	ebay.com
2.		Sigma fp L	113 mm	70 mm	45 mm	427 g	240	Y	Mar 2021	2,499	amazon.com
3.		Leica M11	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	640 g	700	Y	Jan 2022	8,995	amazon.com
4.		Nikon D780	144 mm	116 mm	76 mm	840 g	2260	Y	Jan 2020	2,299	amazon.com
5.		Panasonic GX85	122 mm	71 mm	44 mm	426 g	290	n	Apr 2016	799	amazon.com
6.		Panasonic G7	125 mm	86 mm	77 mm	410 g	350	n	May 2015	649	ebay.com
7.		Panasonic GH4	133 mm	93 mm	84 mm	560 g	500	Y	Feb 2014	1,499	ebay.com
8.		Panasonic LX100	115 mm	66 mm	55 mm	393 g	300	n	Sep 2014	899	ebay.com
9.		Panasonic G6	122 mm	85 mm	71 mm	390 g	340	n	Apr 2013	599	ebay.com
10.		Panasonic GM1	99 mm	55 mm	30 mm	204 g	230	n	Oct 2013	749	ebay.com
11.		Panasonic GX1	116 mm	68 mm	39 mm	318 g	320	n	Nov 2011	699	ebay.com
12.		Panasonic GH2	124 mm	90 mm	76 mm	442 g	330	n	Sep 2010	899	ebay.com
13.		Ricoh GR II	117 mm	63 mm	35 mm	251 g	320	n	Jun 2015	699	ebay.com
14.		Ricoh GR	117 mm	61 mm	35 mm	245 g	290	n	Apr 2013	799	ebay.com
15.		Sigma fp	113 mm	70 mm	45 mm	422 g	280	Y	Jul 2019	1,899	amazon.com
16.		Sony A7S	127 mm	94 mm	48 mm	489 g	380	Y	Apr 2014	2,499	ebay.com
17.		Sony A7R	127 mm	94 mm	48 mm	465 g	340	Y	Oct 2013	2,299	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The GM5 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 70 percent) than the fp L, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Panasonic GM5 features a Four Thirds sensor and the Sigma fp L a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the fp L is 284 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.0 and 1.0. The sensor in the GM5 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the fp L offers a 3:2 aspect.

With 60.2MP, the fp L offers a higher resolution than the GM5 (15.8MP), but the fp L nevertheless has marginally larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.79μm versus 3.77μm for the GM5) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the fp L is a much more recent model (by 6 years and 6 months) than the GM5, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units.

The resolution advantage of the Sigma fp L implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the fp L for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 47.6 x 31.6 inches or 120.9 x 80.4 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 38.1 x 25.3 inches or 96.7 x 64.3 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 31.7 x 21.1 inches or 80.6 x 53.6 cm. The corresponding values for the Panasonic GM5 are 23 x 17.2 inches or 58.3 x 43.8 cm for good quality, 18.4 x 13.8 inches or 46.7 x 35 cm for very good quality, and 15.3 x 11.5 inches or 38.9 x 29.2 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sigma fp L are ISO 100 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 6-102400.

In terms of underlying technology, the GM5 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the fp L uses a BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

#		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Panasonic GM5	Four Thirds	15.8	4592	3448	1080/60p	22.1	11.7	721	66
2.		Sigma fp L	Full Frame	60.2	9520	6328	4K/30p	25.3	14.4	3001	96
3.		Leica M11	Full Frame	60.3	9528	6328	none	26.3	14.8	3376	100
4.		Nikon D780	Full Frame	24.3	6048	4024	4K/30p	25.3	14.3	2877	95
5.		Panasonic GX85	Four Thirds	15.8	4592	3448	4K/30p	22.9	12.6	662	71
6.		Panasonic G7	Four Thirds	15.8	4592	3448	4K/30p	22.8	12.4	904	71
7.		Panasonic GH4	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	4K/30p	23.2	12.8	791	74
8.		Panasonic LX100	Four Thirds	12.7	4112	3088	4K/30p	22.3	12.5	553	67
9.		Panasonic G6	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	21.3	11.5	639	61
10.		Panasonic GM1	Four Thirds	15.8	4592	3448	1080/60i	22.3	11.7	660	66
11.		Panasonic GX1	Four Thirds	15.8	4592	3448	1080/60p	20.8	10.6	703	55
12.		Panasonic GH2	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60i	21.2	11.3	655	60
13.		Ricoh GR II	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	1080/30p	23.6	13.7	1078	80
14.		Ricoh GR	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	1080/30p	23.6	13.5	972	78
15.		Sigma fp	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	25.2	14.2	2829	94
16.		Sony A7S	Full Frame	12.0	4240	2832	1080/60p	23.9	13.2	3702	87
17.		Sony A7R	Full Frame	36.2	7360	4912	1080/60p	25.6	14.1	2746	95
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the fp L provides a better video resolution than the GM5. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Panasonic is limited to 1080/60p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the GM5 has an electronic viewfinder (1166k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the fp L relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the fp L can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the EVF-11. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Panasonic GM5, the Sigma fp L, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

#		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Panasonic GM5	1166	n	3.0 / 921	fixed	Y	1/500s	5.8/s	n	n
2.		Sigma fp L	optional	n	3.2 / 2100	fixed	Y	1/8000s	10.0/s	n	n
3.		Leica M11	optical	n	3.0 / 2333	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.5/s	n	n
4.		Nikon D780	optical	Y	3.2 / 2359	tilting	Y	1/8000s	12.0/s	n	n
5.		Panasonic GX85	2765	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.0/s	Y	Y
6.		Panasonic G7	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	7.0/s	Y	n
7.		Panasonic GH4	2359	n	3.0 / 1036	swivel	Y	1/8000s	12.0/s	Y	n
8.		Panasonic LX100	2764	n	3.0 / 921	fixed	n	1/4000s	11.0/s	n	Y
9.		Panasonic G6	1440	n	3.0 / 1036	swivel	Y	1/4000s	7.0/s	Y	n
10.		Panasonic GM1	none	n	3.0 / 1036	fixed	Y	1/500s	5.0/s	Y	n
11.		Panasonic GX1	optional	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.2/s	Y	n
12.		Panasonic GH2	1534	n	3.0 / 460	swivel	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
13.		Ricoh GR II	optional	n	3.0 / 1230	fixed	n	1/4000s	4.0/s	Y	n
14.		Ricoh GR	optional	n	3.0 / 1230	fixed	n	1/4000s	4.0/s	Y	n
15.		Sigma fp	optional	n	3.2 / 2100	fixed	Y	1/8000s	12.0/s	n	n
16.		Sony A7S	2400	n	3.0 / 921	tilting	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	n	n
17.		Sony A7R	2400	n	3.0 / 1230	tilting	n	1/8000s	4.0/s	n	n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Panasonic GM5 and the Sigma fp L both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the GM5 and the fp L write their files to SDXC cards. The fp L supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the GM5 can use UHS-I cards (up to 104 MB/s).

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 and Sigma fp L and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

#		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Panasonic GM5	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
2.		Sigma fp L	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	-
3.		Leica M11	Y	- / -	-	-	-	3.2	Y	-	Y
4.		Nikon D780	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	mini	3.1	Y	-	Y
5.		Panasonic GX85	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
6.		Panasonic G7	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
7.		Panasonic GH4	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
8.		Panasonic LX100	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
9.		Panasonic G6	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
10.		Panasonic GM1	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
11.		Panasonic GX1	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
12.		Panasonic GH2	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Ricoh GR II	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
14.		Ricoh GR	Y	mono / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	-	-	-
15.		Sigma fp	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	3.1	-	-	-
16.		Sony A7S	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
17.		Sony A7R	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

It is notable that the fp L has a headphone jack, which makes it possible to attach external headphones and monitor the quality of sound during the recording process. The GM5 lacks such a headphone port.

The fp L is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Sigma. In contrast, the GM5 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). There has not been a direct replacement model for the GM5 from Panasonic. Further information on the features and operation of the GM5 and fp L can be found, respectively, in the Panasonic GM5 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sigma fp L Manual.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Panasonic GM5 better than the Sigma fp L or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Reasons to prefer the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5:

• Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• More compact: Is smaller (99x60mm vs 113x70mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 216g or 51 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (70 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in September 2014).

Arguments in favor of the Sigma fp L:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (60.2 vs 15.8MP), which boosts linear resolution by 99%.
• Better image quality: Is equipped with a larger and more technologically advanced sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/60p).
• Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
• Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2100k vs 921k dots).
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/500s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 5.8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.2 vs 2.0).
• Faster buffer clearing: Supports a more advanced SD data transfer standard (UHS-II vs UHS-I).
• More modern: Reflects 6 years and 6 months of technical progress since the GM5 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the fp L is the clear winner of the contest (17 : 5 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Panasonic GM5 and the Sigma fp L place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the GM5 or the fp L. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

#		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Panasonic GM5	3.5/5	+	..	77/100	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2014	749	ebay.com
2.		Sigma fp L	4/5	..	4/5	..	4/5	4/5	Mar 2021	2,499	amazon.com
3.		Leica M11	4.5/5	..	4.5/5	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2022	8,995	amazon.com
4.		Nikon D780	5/5	..	5/5	87/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2020	2,299	amazon.com
5.		Panasonic GX85	4.5/5	+ +	..	82/100	5/5	5/5	Apr 2016	799	amazon.com
6.		Panasonic G7	4/5	+ +	3.5/5	80/100	5/5	4.5/5	May 2015	649	ebay.com
7.		Panasonic GH4	5/5	+ +	..	85/100	5/5	5/5	Feb 2014	1,499	ebay.com
8.		Panasonic LX100	5/5	+ +	..	85/100	5/5	5/5	Sep 2014	899	ebay.com
9.		Panasonic G6	4/5	+ +	..	..	5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2013	599	ebay.com
10.		Panasonic GM1	3/5	+	..	78/100	5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2013	749	ebay.com
11.		Panasonic GX1	3/5	+	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Nov 2011	699	ebay.com
12.		Panasonic GH2	5/5	+ +	..	79/100	4.5/5	5/5	Sep 2010	899	ebay.com
13.		Ricoh GR II	..	..	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2015	699	ebay.com
14.		Ricoh GR	5/5	..	..	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2013	799	ebay.com
15.		Sigma fp	4/5	..	4/5	..	4/5	4.5/5	Jul 2019	1,899	amazon.com
16.		Sony A7S	4/5	..	..	86/100	4.5/5	5/5	Apr 2014	2,499	ebay.com
17.		Sony A7R	5/5	+ +	..	82/100	4.5/5	5/5	Oct 2013	2,299	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Check fp L price at
amazon.com

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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