Small budget filmmakers already love the Panasonic GH4 for its ease of use and high-quality footage, so when Panasonic unveiled the LUMIX GH5 last fall with a notable lack technical details and since then, filmmakers and photographers alike were left waiting eagerly for more detailed information about it.
Yesterday, Panasonic came through with the full specs and boy oh boy, it was worth the wait.
Video Improvements
The GH5 features a 20-megapixel sensor (a first for the GH line) without a low-pass filter, meaning images should look much sharper than on previous versions. Panasonic has also introduced their new Venus Engine 10 processor, which they say will eliminate the “rolling shutter effect” that is the bane of filmmakers who shoot on CMOS cameras everywhere.
It now also supports the Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) standard for recording HDR video and even does so in-camera.
Other recording formats* include:
- DCI 4K at 23.98P in 10-bit 4:2:2 internally
- UHD 4K 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording at 24, 25 and 30 fps.
- 4K 50/60fps internal recording in 4:2:0 8-bit
- 4K 50/60fps external recording in 4:2:2 10-bit (with no internal recording).
- Full HD recording up to 180fps internally
- 6K Photo mode
- 4K Anamorphic 4:3 shooting using 3328×2496 pixels.
- 6K anamorphic 4:3 mode
*Not all formats will be available at launch but will be available through future firmware upgrades
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 Black Body
Panasonic LUMIX GH5 4K Mirrorless ILC Camera Body with 20.3 Megapixels, 4K 60p & 4:2:2 10-bit Internal, Dual Image Stabilization 2, & WiFi + Bluetooth. For more information follow the link
Photography Improvements
The GH5’s video capabilities aren’t the only features that Panasonic upgraded and photographers haven’t been forgotten.
Autofocus speed is a blistering fast 0.05 seconds and will adjust for every shot even when shooting in burst mode at 9 frames per second and it’s 5-Axis gyro-controlled stabilization system will ensure that your shots remain rock steady at all times.
Focus points have been massively increased to 225 (up from 49), and the GH5 now offers Panasonic’s “Post Focus” mode and focus-stacking burst mode for still image captures.
To round things out, Panasonic has also improved the overall ruggedness of the camera. The weather-sealed magnesium alloy body can take a beating and is freeze proof down to about -10 Celcius.
And while you probably won’t want to get it soaked, you can take it out for a little rough and tumble as it’s also splash and dust resistant.
See the full Lumix GH5 technical specs here
Key Features
- Professional photo and 4K video performance in a durable magnesium alloy body.
- 20.3MP Four Thirds sensor with no low pass filter.
- 4K Video: Internal recording at 4K60/50p (4:2:0 8bit) & 4K30/25p/24p (4:2:2 10bit).
- Variable Video Frame Rates 4K: Max. 60fps & FHD: Max. 180fps.
- 5-Axis Photo/Video Dual I.S. 2.0 up to 5 stops with compatible LUMIX MFT lenses, plus in-body stabilization support for classic non-O.I.S lenses.
- Fast and accurate focusing utilizing LUMIX 480 fps DFD focusing system and Venus Engine 10
- Full size (Type A) HDMI terminal with cable lock included & twin SD Card slots (UHS-II U3 Compatible).
- 3.5mm mic & headphone terminals – optional DMW-XLR1 microphone adaptor.
- Eye viewfinder 3680k-dot OLED, 21mm, 0.76x.
- V-LogL recording with (Optional) DMW-SFU1 paid upgrade