The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 is a Micro Four Thirds system camera that was created with the intention of producing high-quality video as its primary objective. The GH5 also has a wide range of still photography capabilities, making it a genuinely multi-media storytelling tool in its own right.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 was announced in early 2017 as the successor to the Lumix DMC-GH4. When compared to its predecessor, the GH5 offers the following improvements: sensor Image Stabilization, improved focusing performance, preset focus tracking, improved menus, smarter sensor area utilization, lower noise, vectorscope, and waveform display, increased finder and screen resolution, and a larger viewfinder. Earlier this year, Panasonic introduced the DMC-GH5s, which does away with sensor image stabilization and instead uses a dual readout 10MP sensor, but also enables higher framerates at DCI quality and timecode-in.
Key Features
20.3MP Digital Live MOS Sensor and Venus Engine
The GH5 boasts a newly built 20.3MP Digital Live MOS sensor that does not include an optical low-pass filter, as well as a new Venus Engine CPU, which the company claims produces the highest image quality produced by a Lumix camera to date. It will maximize sharpness and details, as well as accuracy, in a variety of lighting circumstances by utilizing Multi pixel Luminance Generation and Intelligent Detail Processing. Photographers using sensitivity settings up to ISO 25600 can benefit from the outstanding three-dimensional color management and precision noise reduction techniques available. It also allows for shooting at speeds of up to 12 frames per second in either the AF-S or manual focus modes.
4K Video Recording
In addition to its remarkable stills capabilities, the GH5 is a very powerful video camera. The most notable feature is the ability to record UHD 4K video at up to 60 frames per second, while another outstanding specification is the ability to record 4:2:2 10-bit files at resolutions up to DCI and UHD 4K at 24/30 frames per second, respectively. In addition, the camera is equipped with a full-size HDMI connector, which allows for high-quality output at 4:2:2 10-bit in all settings for use with external monitors and recorders. In addition, the camera records at a high bit rate, resulting in images that are highly detailed and devoid of compression artifacts.
For more advanced users, a variety of picture styles, such as CINELIKE V and CINELIKE D, are available to create a more gradable image. Additionally, an in-camera LUT is provided to make monitoring easy for the user. As an additional feature, over-cranking and undercranking options will be available to customers, which will result in rates that are up to 2.5x slower in 4K (60 fps), and up to 7.5x slower in Full HD (180 fps). As an added bonus, there is a 4K Anamorphic mode available, which allows you to record in a proper 4:3 aspect ratio for later adjustment in post-production.
The GH5 is intended to be an extensible system, with a variety of optional accessories available to help increase video recording capabilities even further. There are several examples of this, including an optional V-Log L upgrade and separately available attachments such as the XLR Microphone Adapter, which gives XLR inputs as well as physical controls through a hot shoe connection. The 3.5mm input and output connectors allow users to connect standard microphones and headphones to the device.
6K and 4K PHOTO
Still shooting modes make use of the GH5’s video recording capabilities to capture continuous 8MP stills at 60 or 30 frames per second, as well as 18MP stills at 30 frames per second. These modes are as follows:
Burst: It is great for situations where a high frame rate is required in order to capture the best possible moment. This mode will allow you to record continuously, making it perfect for situations where a high frame rate is required in order to capture the best possible moment.
Pre-Burst: This mode is useful when you’re not sure when it’s important to push the shutter button. It will record photographs one second before and one second after pressing the shutter button, giving you a total of 60 frames to pick from in this situation.
Burst (S/S): This mode is the most similar to the video recording procedure, and it allows you to watch your video, pause it at a predetermined point, and then use the shutter button to select a specific frame from the movie and save it as a single 8 or 18 MP frame from your video.
Dual I.S. 2
Dual I.S. 2 combines the sensor-shift image stabilization technology of the GH5 with lens-based image stabilization technology to correct for a wider variety of movement types, resulting in crisper, clearer imagery when shooting handheld. Dual I.S. 2 needs the usage of compatible Lumix lenses that have O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization). When there is a camera shake, this stabilization technology is capable of compensating for around 5 stops of it.
225-Area Advanced Depth-From-Defocus AF System
Advanced DFD (Depth-From-Defocus) technology is used to improve autofocus performance by quickly calculating the distance to subjects and adjusting the focusing position in as little as 0.05 seconds. This allows for continuous shooting at up to 9 frames per second while maintaining continuous autofocus performance. In addition to benefiting both still and video recording modes, this contrast-detection type focus method is also useful in subject tracking applications, where the subject’s color, size, and motion vectors are used to intelligently lock on to moving subjects and ensure precise focus on the moving subjects The sensitivity and speed of the camera can be changed to further enhance performance with specific subjects. It also has 225 autofocus regions, which allow you to have complete control over where the camera will concentrate its attention. As an added bonus, the Starlight AF feature, which supports operating in low-light circumstances, provides accurate AF performance down to four stops of light.
Focus peaking, which highlights bright edges of contrast with a colored outline for rapidly recognizing your focus point, as well as Touch MF Assist, which allows for touch-to-focus operation, are both available for manual focus operation to make it more convenient.
Specification
General
| Brand | Panasonic | |
| Type | Mirrorless | |
| Series | Lumix | |
| Title | Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 (Body) Mirrorless Camera |
Sensor
| Type | Live MOS Sensor | |
| Size(W x H) | 17.3 x 13 mm , 4/3 inch | |
| Processor Model | Venus Engine 7 Processor | |
| Effective Resolution | 20.3 MP Resolution |
Lens
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds |
Video
| Resolution Available | 3840×2160 Pixels (2160p), 1920×1080 Pixels (1080p HD) | |
| File Format | MOV | |
| fps | 2160p Frame rate : 60 1080p Frame rate : 24, 25, 30, 60 | |
| Slow Motion Effect | No |
Flash
| Built in Flash | No | |
| Flash Features | External flash, Flash exposure compensation | |
| Hot Shoe/Flash mount | YES | |
| Direct Print | Pict Bridge |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | YES Type 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, v 4.2 | |
| HDMI | YES | |
| Bluetooth | YES | |
| NFC | No | |
| Pictbridge | YES | |
| USB | YES Type 3.1, 5 GB | |
| Other connectivity features | Compatible with UHS-I / UHS-II UHS Speed Class 3 standard SDHC / SDXC Memory Cards |
Previewing
| Viewfinder | YES Electronic Viewfinder | |
| Display Type | LCD | |
| Display Size | 3.2 Inch | |
| Display Resolution (No of dots) | 1620000 dots | |
| Moveable Display | YES | |
| Touchscreen | YES | |
| No. of supported language | 6 | |
| Brightness Adjustment | YES levels |
Storage
| Memory Card Type | SD, SDHC, SDXC | |
| Storage File system | DCF,EXIF |
Other Features
| ISO | Auto, 100-25600 ISO | |
| Auto Focus | YES Contrast detection | |
| AF Points | 225 Points | |
| Touch Focus | YES | |
| Manual Focus | YES | |
| Image Stabilization | YES Type: Sensor | |
| In-camera Editing | Screen shots, resizing, black and white/sepia tone, cropping, editing raw data, red eye correction on preview, videos, creating movie mode, editing movie mode, creative, calendar, monitor adjustment: Brightness, contrast, saturation, red, green, blue, yellow; Other functions: Surface level, real time histogram, guidelines (3 models), central marker, high light display (still image/video image), zebra model (still image/video image); Photo Styles: Standard, Vivid, Natural, Monochrome, L-Monochrome, Decoration, Portrait, Custom 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, Sunlike D, Sunlike V, Like 709, V-LogL; Creative Controls: Impressive, Retro, Old, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Monochrome, Dynamic Monochrome, Hard Monochrome, Silky Monochrome, Inspirational Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process, Toy Effect, Pop Toy, Bleach Bypass, Small Effect, Soft focus, imaginative, star filter, color in one point, sunlight (for photos only). Playback mode: 30 – thumbnail display, 12 thumbnail display, calendar display, magnified playback (maximum 16x), playback mode (normal / Image Only / Video Only), Location Recording, RAW Processing, 4K Photo Bulk Safe, Light Composition, Clear Retouching, Title Editing, Text Stamp, Video Split, Time Video, Motion Video, Resize, Crop, Rotate, Turn Turn, favorites, DPOF print sets, protection, edit facial recognition, sort images, create images from a movie. Image Protection: Single / Multi or Cancel, Delete Image: Single / Multiple / All / Delete Excluding Favorites | |
| HDR Shooting Mode | YES | |
| Drive Mode | YES Single Shot Continuous Shot Self-timer | |
| Burst Mode | YES Max Burst: 60fps | |
| Microphone | YES | |
| Self Timer | 10 seconds, 2 seconds | |
| White Balance Type | Auto, Cloudy, Daylight, Flash, Incandescent | |
| Scene Modes | Portrait | |
| Iris control | No |
Files
| Image File Formats | JPEG, RAW | |
| Image Minimum Resolution | 2 MP | |
| Video File Formats | MOV |
Exposure
| Exposure modes | Aperture priority, Automatic Mode, Full manual, Program Mode, Scene Mode, Shutter Speed priority | |
| Exposure Lock | YES |
Design
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 139 x 98 x 87 mm | |
| Weight | 645 Gram | |
| Rugged | YES Water, Dust, Shock | |
| Available Color Options | Black |
Battery
| Battery model | DMW-BLF19 | |
| Battery | Rechargeable(proprietary) | |
| Battery Type | Li-ion | |
| Battery Capacity | 1860 mAh, 7.2 volts | |
| No of Shots | 410 Shots |
Price
Conclusion
When it comes to convergence between the still and video worlds, Panasonic’s GH cameras have continuously been at the forefront of innovation, and the GH5 is undoubtedly the most significant single step forward in the lineage of the series. Though Panasonic is keen to remind you that it is also a still camera, it adds features that are generally associated with more expensive, professional-level video equipment.
The relevance of internal 4:2:2 color and 10-bit video cannot be understated, and it has a significant impact on the amount of work that can be done with footage in post-production once it is captured. With the advent of 4K/60p video, it is now possible to include slow motion 4K into a project without compromising on resolution or quality.
Along with the camera, Panasonic has supplied the tools necessary to take advantage of the camera’s advanced features, which include a waveform display, vectorscope, Log gamma, and a built-in LUT display. Log gamma is becoming increasingly popular on cameras, while the option to apply a LUT in-camera is becoming less common. Uploading custom LUTs is a feature that is only available on the GH5 in this class.
Although the GH5 would be an excellent pick if you’re primarily interested in still photography and are considering the Four Thirds ecosystem, there are certainly better options available for the money. Having said that, the improvements to the JPEG engine, as well as the ability to shoot at 9 frames per second with solid focusing, make the GH5 a fantastic all-around option for hybrid video and still photographers.
If you’re serious about video, it’s difficult to make a mistake. Unless you have extremely specialized requirements, this camera will most likely meet your demands, and if you’re just starting out, it’s a camera that will grow with you. But what if you’re already a proud owner of a GH4? As an example, consider this: the GH5 isn’t just a camera that can perform all of the functions of your existing camera, plus a whole host of other functions. This is a camera that performs all of the functions of your present camera, but does so far better (typically by a significant margin)…. additionally, there are a few other things. So, yes, it’s probably a good investment.
As a result of all of this, the Panasonic GH5 has earned our Gold Award. That deserves a Gold Award for its subtle, shimmering tones, which are depicted in 4:2:2 10-bit color.
