Panasonic GM5 vs YI M1

Cameras
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Panasonic GM5 vs YI M1

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4/3 224.9mm²
16.0 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GM5 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GM5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GM5.
Compare Panasonic GM5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GM5 conclusion.

4/3 224.9mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full YI M1 Review.
How does it shoot? YI M1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the M1.
What’s the bottom line? Read our YI M1 conclusion.

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Differences

Panasonic GM5 advantages over YI M1

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Faster JPEG shooting
5.7 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

YI M1 advantages over Panasonic GM5

Less expensive
$350 vs $899 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

380 vs 220 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
80 mm vs 64 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Higher max flash sync
1/125 vs 1/50 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
More pixels
20.2 vs 16.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Read GM5 User Reviews

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Read M1 User Reviews

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Kit with 12-40mm lens (Black)

Kit with 12-40mm lens (Black)
Kit with 12-40mm & 42.5mm lenses (Silver)

Review Excerpt

Great image quality for a tiny camera; Excellent high ISO for its class; Built-in EVF; Built-in hot-shoe; Improved ergonomics; Improved image quality for long exposures; Improved burst rate with hybrid shutter; 1080/60p video.
Slightly bigger than GM1 (but not by much); No built-in flash; Shallow buffers with RAW files; Dynamic range not quite as good as some competing models; Below average battery life.
Read our Panasonic GM5 Review

Cheap as chips (and with a kit lens!); Quality Sony Exmor Four Thirds sensor; Widely-supported Micro Four Thirds lens mount; Good image quality from raw files; Reasonable burst performance for price; 4K video capture.
Poor ergonomics; Controls too easily bumped; Frustrating user interface; Mediocre JPEG image quality; Heavy-handed noise reduction; Unreliable white balance; No raw+JPEG; Buffer is almost nonexistent; Focus confirmation beep happens while still focusing; AF is poor in low light; Laggy user interface in playback; Extreme crop for 4K video; Kit lenses feel cheap; No bundled flash.
Read our YI M1 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PM2

Panasonic GM5

Olympus E-PM2

$898
4/3

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$1599
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Olympus E-PM2

YI M1

Olympus E-PM2

$199
4/3

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$1599
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Higher max flash sync

Compare YI M1 vs Olympus E-PM2

Compared to Olympus E-PL6

Panasonic GM5

Olympus E-PL6

$898
4/3

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$299
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Olympus E-PL6

YI M1

Olympus E-PL6

$199
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$299
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare YI M1 vs Olympus E-PL6

Compared to Panasonic GM1

Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GM1

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

$479
4/3

Less expensive
Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic GM1

YI M1

Panasonic GM1

$199
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$479
4/3

Internal flash
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare YI M1 vs Panasonic GM1

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GF7

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Hot shoe

$590
4/3

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic GF7

YI M1

Panasonic GF7

$199
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$590
4/3

Tiltable Screen
Internal flash

Compare YI M1 vs Panasonic GF7

Compared to Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GX850

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

$548
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic GX850

YI M1

Panasonic GX850

$199
4/3

Less expensive
Built-in Bluetooth

$548
4/3

Tiltable Screen
Internal flash

Compare YI M1 vs Panasonic GX850

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