Photography

Panasonic's new Lumix GH5 - an ultra-portable filmmaker's dream

Panasonic's new Lumix GH5 - an ultra-portable filmmaker's dream
Panasonic Lumix GH5: the new standard for micro 4/3rds filmmaking?
Panasonic Lumix GH5: the new standard for micro 4/3rds filmmaking?
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Panasonic Lumix GH5: the new standard for micro 4/3rds filmmaking?
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Panasonic Lumix GH5: the new standard for micro 4/3rds filmmaking?
Panasonic Lumix GH5: lightweight magnesium alloy body
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Panasonic Lumix GH5: lightweight magnesium alloy body
Panasonic Lumix GH5: fold-out OLED screen with 3,680k pixels
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Panasonic Lumix GH5: fold-out OLED screen with 3,680k pixels
Panasonic Lumix GH5: rugged, splash-proof, freeze-proof, dust-proof body
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Panasonic Lumix GH5: rugged, splash-proof, freeze-proof, dust-proof body
Panasonic Lumix GH5: can accept nearly all lenses with appropriate adapters
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Panasonic Lumix GH5: can accept nearly all lenses with appropriate adapters
Panasonic Lumix GH5: hot shoe allows accessory mounting
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Panasonic Lumix GH5: hot shoe allows accessory mounting
Panasonic Lumix GH5: electronic viewfinder matches the impressive resolution of the fold-out, flippable rear screen
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Panasonic Lumix GH5: electronic viewfinder matches the impressive resolution of the fold-out, flippable rear screen
Panasonic Lumix GH5: released at CES, selling for US$1,999
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Panasonic Lumix GH5: released at CES, selling for US$1,999
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Panasonic's two-and-a-half-year-old GH4 has long been a darling of the low-budget filmmaking set. It delivers excellent quality video – better in most respects than what you can get from a DSLR – in a smaller, lighter form factor, with access to a huge range of lenses, and with longer recording times and video-friendly options like focus peaking and zebra striping built in.

And now, at this year's CES in Las Vegas, there's a new GH5 that looks ready to take things to the next level, with several features that will make it very appealing for pro-grade videographers.

Panasonic Lumix GH5: electronic viewfinder matches the impressive resolution of the fold-out, flippable rear screen
Panasonic Lumix GH5: electronic viewfinder matches the impressive resolution of the fold-out, flippable rear screen

For starters, it can shoot 4K video at 60 fps, which none of Sony's mirrorless cameras are capable of as yet. That's in 8-bit 4:2:0 color. If you want to increase color depth, it can do 10-bit 4:2:2 4K recording in 24 frames per second. If you're interested in slow motion, it'll do 1080p at an impressive 180 frames per second, which slows things down by 7.5 times compared to normal motion if you're outputting at a cinematic 24 fps.

Autofocus is upgraded, with motion detection and tracking to keep things sharp in burst photography as well as video, and the 20.3-megapixel micro 4/3rds sensor is stabilized in photo and video modes with a 5-axis dual stabilizer system. The electronic viewfinder should be a beauty, with 3,680k pixels - nearly 50 percent more resolution than the GH4, and it matches the resolution of the fold-out OLED screen.

Panasonic Lumix GH5: fold-out OLED screen with 3,680k pixels
Panasonic Lumix GH5: fold-out OLED screen with 3,680k pixels

In terms of photography, the GH5 offers a new photo burst mode that will be terrific for high-speed action. It effectively shoots high speed video and saves each frame as a high-resolution still – 18 megapixel 6K shots at 30 per second, or 4K shots at 60 per second. This'll take a lot of the skill and guesswork out of hitting the shutter at the perfect moment, but it'll burn through the GH5's dual SD cards quickly if you use this feature a lot.

For connectivity, the GH5 packs in low-energy Bluetooth 4.2 as well as 5GHz WiFi, for image transfer and remote camera control from a PC or smartphone.

Panasonic Lumix GH5: lightweight magnesium alloy body
Panasonic Lumix GH5: lightweight magnesium alloy body

The body uses a lightweight die-cast magnesium alloy frame, and looks roadworthy thanks to a rugged, splash-proof, dust-proof exterior that can handle temperatures as low as -10 degrees.

Compared to a DSLR, the GH5 looks like a much more portable, versatile video solution. This is an impressive upgrade that will solidify the Lumix brand's position and probably sell by the truckload, even if the body costs US$2000.

Take a look at some sample video footage below:

Introducing Panasonic LUMIX GH5

Source: Panasonic

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1 comment
1 comment
Nairda
"This is an impressive upgrade that will solidify the Lumix brand's position and probably sell by the truckload, even if the body costs US$2000." I have no doubt in my mind this will sell.
Its what happens when you distract the marketing and accounts departments in the other room with colored clocks, .. and let the engineers do the designing.