GH5 - 6 Month Review & GH5 Firmware 2.0 & GH5 Tips and Tricks

GH5 - 6 Month Review -

No other camera produces beautiful and stabilized footage at this price point and this easily. The perfect camera for capturing your video needs from vlog style travel to serious documentaries and indie films.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRZI1WugGqw[gallery ids="16107,16108,16109,16110,16111,16112,16113,16114,16115,16116,16117,16118,16119,16120,16121,16122"]

Travel Videos Captured with the GH5

Gear Used & Recommended

GH5 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera Lens Options

• 12-35 f/2.8 Lens (Make sure to update your firmware to 2.0)
• Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. POWER O.I.S.

Affordable Zoom Lumix G Vario 45-200mm f/4-5.6 II POWER O.I.S. Lens Rode VideoMicroAvoid 3rd party Batteries and buy PanasonicFor stable walking footage, Zhiyun-Tech Crane v2 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer

GH5 Sample Photos

I have been impressed with the image quality improvements in the GH5 - Enough so that I am considering it as my only camera to bring along on my Croatia trip in early May.    Would you like to join me on an upcoming trip - find out future destinations, workshops and classes on the Travel Page.  Follow me on Instagram for more from my GH5

GH5 Hands-on

UPDATE: NEW VIDEO - 6 MONTHS WITH THE GH5I have had the GH4 for three years, the GH5 for three days - Here are my early thoughts on the GH5https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLTkpT6hBVQSummary Review: 

• The GH5 offers 4k at 60fps and it looks gorgeous or shoot 4:2:2 10bit 4k for better color grading
• The sensor is stabilized providing extremely smooth handheld footage with IS enabled lenses
• Slow mo options are better and higher quality
• Low light performance has improved - noticeably better but not OMG amazing difference
• Autofocus seems to be similar, no real improvements over GH4
• Additional Pro level tools- Focus Transition, Waveform and Vector Scopes

SAMPLE GH5 Photos

The GH4 pushed the envelope with a full featured video camera and became an extremely popular camera for videographers of all levels. I personally enjoy how beautiful the footage looks and how user friendly the camera is, well suited to casual vlogging or more serious work.   The GH5 continues to be a class leader with frame rates and/or bit rate recording offerings not seen in any other cameras at this price range.  The stabilized sensor now makes it possible to shoot gorgeously smooth handheld video and the sensor upgrade does better in low light(noticeably better but not dramatically better). Autofocus does still seem to be the achilles heel. Not sure I see any noticeable improvement in AF abilities over the GH4 but I plan to test more and make use of several new AF settings in the menu system.    Follow me on Instagram or twitter for updatesBuy the GH4 from B&H PhotoBuy the GH5 from B&H PhotoBuy the Rode Video Mic Full Review:The Gh5 form and button placement is very similar to the GH4 - though we do have a little joystick nub - useful for menu navigation, focus point selection, the record button has moved up top and the whole camera is slightly bigger and about a 1/2 lb heavier. I am a little bummed that they went bigger heavier, I really like the size of the GH4 but it did allow them to upgrade the viewfinder -which is noticeably bigger and add dual card slots - in the years of hard use and abuse the Gh4 has seen - including shooting days worth of footage in hot Tanzania - I have never had a card or camera write error but having two slots gives you backup, or split video and stills OR just have a massive amount of storage. We also have a full HDMI port and a USB C connection, I am so glad, I hate those fiddly usb3 connections. The USB-C allows for fast image download but does NOT support charging over USB. if you want to charge on the go you need to pick up one of these - And while the Gh5 uses the same battery it does seem like battery life is marginally shorter -likely do to the slightly higher resolution LCD AND the stabilized sensor.A stabilized sensor! And like the G85 I just reviewed and the Olympus OMD em1 Mark II - when paired with certain lenses you get dual stabilization - useful for longer exposures , though so far I can’t can’t seem to hand hold reliably past a 1/2 second -with the olympus I could get 4 seconds and that was without the dual IS lens. But for video you now have silky smooth footage and can throw on small primes and still get decently smooth footage.Let’s take a look at the rest of the features4K at 60fps, nothing else close to this price offers 4k at 60FPS and full sensor use for 4k, no additional crop at 4k like you had with the GH4 - wide lenses stay wide and this provides slight low light improvements. You also have 10 bit recording internally- this means the files respond better to grading and improved slowmo with 180fps at 1080 vs just 120 fps in the Gh4. And with 60 fps at 4k you can do the kind of cinematic slow mo at 30fps and stay at 4KYou now have AUTO ISO available when shooting in Manual Video mode - something I personally appreciate.And while this isn’t a difference from the Gh4 - it's important to mention as I get asked often - there is NO recording limit on the GH4 - as long as you have space on the cards and power, the camera will continue to record. It will NOT stop at 29:59 seconds!And also important for me to mention that you can continue to record 4k even when using the very capable wifi remote - something that sets this camera apart from Olympus and fuji.It’s not just on the video side, this is a more capable stills camera - with a 20MP sensor ,improved low light handlingDOWNLOAD FULL RESOLUTION FILES FROM BOTH CAMERAS

And you have the 6K photo feature - this is where the camera will take 18MP at 30fps and you can pull out individual still images - they are jpegs so it isn’t terribly exciting BUT certainly lets you nail important moments with basically 30fps!You also have the post focus feature and in camera 4k timelapse that I mentioned in the G85 reviewGH4/GH5 AutofocusThe Gh4 AF I have found to be adequate for my uses - I mostly get focus before starting my videos and it always is fast and responsive when you force focus, half press shutter or back button. When I leave AF on during my videos and record my face - it usually does good job, if you watch some of my videos you can see it hunt some when it really shouldn’t in my opinion and those times I want to have a slightly more dynamic video - walking toward or away from the camera - it’s just OK- I’d give it a 6/10 for reliability with tracking, maybe 6.5. The canon 80D or a sony a6500 gets an 8/10 in my opinion. The GH5 seems very similar to the GH4 in regards to focusing. This is something I don’t want to talk in depth about yet because I haven’t tested enough, I will be back with more as soon as I feel I can definitely say if it is the same or better - but for now it seems very similar so if you were really hoping to get a noticeably better AF system with the GH5 - hold off.They have added a sweet focus transition tool - basically let’s you rack focus - setting 3 positions and jumping between them during recording. A great way to use AF during video but with the reassurance it is going to land exactly where you want.   They have also added waveform and vector scopes, pro level features no one else offers.Summary Review: The GH4 pushed the envelope with a full featured video camera and became an extremely popular camera for videographers of all levels. I personally enjoy how beautiful the footage looks and how user friendly the camera is, well suited to casual vlogging or more serious work.   The GH5 continues to be a class leader with frame rates and/or bit rate recording offerings not seen in any other cameras at this price range.  The stabilized sensor now makes it possible to shoot gorgeously smooth handheld video and the sensor upgrade does better in low light(noticeably better but not dramatically better). Autofocus does still seem to be the achilles heel. Not sure I see any noticeable improvement in AF abilities over the GH4 but I plan to test more and make use of several new AF settings in the menu system.    Follow me on Instagram or twitter for updatesBuy the GH4 from B&H PhotoBuy the GH5 from B&H PhotoBuy the Rode Video MicConsider becoming a photorec.tv member - where you get access to my support group along with awesome additional perks and we can have those conversations where you get the answers you are looking for.

Panasonic GH5 fully Announced

What you need to know: The Panasonic GH4 is a mirrorless camera that looks like a small DSLR. Capable of shooting photos and video the GH4 was one of the first truly affordable 4K capable cameras that provides a host of features professional videographers love. The GH5 shipping in late March 2017 offers some noteable improvements that look to continue to place it at the top of 4K capable cameras BUT the now more expensive $1999 price certainly provides room for competitors.

My Current Recommended cameras for primarily videoSerious video work - Panasonic GH4 / Sony a6300 or a6500Best vlogging camera - Panasonic G85Smallest 4k video capable I can recommend - Sony RX100 Mark IV

I own and use the Panasonic GH4 daily - it is the camera I use to shoot all of my videos including my travel vlogs (except the recent Alaska trip where I tried the Olympus EM1 Mark II)  The GH4 shoots beautiful 4K video, has a battery that lasts for hours and hours of shooting and it's nicely portable with a fully articulating screen- I could go on but you are here because the successor to the GH4 has just been completely announced- I say completely because we had an official announcement from panasonic about the GH5 last September.  That announcement wasn't complete with some information missing. We now have the complete picture.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPxKZ2MWgdI

Panasonic GH5 Specs

• 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.
• No additional crop factor when shooting 4K
• 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

Body style looks very similar to the GH4 with a few differences

• Dual SD Card Slots
• Full-sized HDMI port
• USB-C for data transfer
• Joystick button for focus point selection & menu navigation (You can also use the touch screen)

Additional firmware updates planned in April and later in 2017 will provide additional bit rates.Price $1,999 an increase over the GH4 and $600 more over the Sony a6500Pre Order the GH5 from B&H Photo

GH5 vs the a6500/a6300

Benefits of the GH5

• Better Battery Life
• 4k at 60FPS
• Better slow mo
• Higher bitrate files
• Fully articulated touchscreen
• Touchscreen works well for ALL camera options
• Large photo burst rate
• no overheating. We don't know for sure yet but the a6500 can in some warmer/hotter conditions shut down do to high internal temps.
• Better lens selection
• Stabilized sensor vs the a6300.

Benefits of Sony a6500

• Better low light performance
• Faster AF
• Better photos (greater resolution and cleaner high ISO)
• Cheaper and the a6300 is almost 1/2 the price.

The list certainly looks good for the GH5 but if you need better low light performance or want a more capable photo camera the a6500 or a6300 would probably be my pick. The GH5 wins in usability and offers that fully articulating screen if you need to vlog.Buy the a6500 from B&H Photo  $1,398.00Buy the a6300 from B&H Photo $998.00Pre Order the GH5 from B&H Photo $1,999.00  

Panasonic GH5 - 6k Video... Linkbait?

The Panasonic GH5 has been announced - The 6K video that is being passed about as a spec isn't quite true.  Even without true 6K video this looks like a serious step forward for videographers with 4k at 60p and the ability to record 10-bit 4:2:2 (more data is better)The specs we have

• 6K/30p 18mp
• 8mp/60fps burst photo
• 10-bit 4:2.2
• 4K/60p

Body style looks very similar to the GH4.Panasonic also announced further collaboration with Leica together they will be releasing three new lenses8-18mm, 12-60mm, and 50-200mm- all offering f2.8-4.0. Camera and lenses will be available in the first half of 2017Panasonic Press ReleasePanasonic Announces the Development of the World’s First 4K 60p/50p Video Recording CSC Featuring 6K PHOTOIntroducing the LUMIX GH5Panasonic today announces the LUMIX GH5, the world’s first Compact System (CSC) interchangeable lens camera capable of recording high-precision smooth 4K 60p/50p and faithfully reproductive 4:2:2 10-bit 4K video. This premium camera will offer exceptional performance for professional photographers, videographers and emerging photo/video-hybrid creators.The new LUMIX GH5 is scheduled to enter the market in the first half of 2017 and will feature Panasonic’s new ‘6K PHOTO’ offering – an approximately 18-megapixel-equivalent still image extraction from an ultra-high quality video with approximately 9x higher resolution than Full HD. Furthermore, an approximately 8-megapixel equivalent ‘4K PHOTO’ can be extracted from a video shot at 60 fps.Panasonic also announces the new LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT F2.8-4.0 lens series. These announcements demonstrate Panasonic’s dedication to continually deliver outstanding customer value and new culture in photography and film production by developing premium, new-era products and functions.Commitment to innovationThe LUMIX GH5 will allow creative minds to capture their vision with ease and style, and further confirms Panasonic’s commitment to develop incomparable products and functions to address the new demands in photography and film production.Panasonic is committed to the development of innovative digital cameras under the theme “create a new photo culture in the digital era”. The company brought the world’s first CSC, the DMC-G1, to market in 2008 and the succeeding DMC-GH1 achieved the world’s first Full HD video recording in 2009.Professional, versatile 4K videography with freedom and easeThe LUMIX DMC-GH4 has received much critical acclaim since its launch in 2014 and was the first camera to realise 4K 30p/25p video recording. Building on its predecessor’s success, the LUMIX GH5 will offer a new world first: 4K 60p/50p and 4K 30p with 4:2:2 10-bit.Exceptional 4K video recording will be packed into a compact, lightweight design created for videographers to take the camera anywhere and shoot in any location. With the unprecedented video recording performance of the LUMIX GH5, Panasonic aims to elevate its status in the film production industry.Elevating outstanding photography to new heightsThe LUMIX GH5 will dramatically advance the conventional ‘4K PHOTO’ function with ‘6K PHOTO’ that will cut a still image out of ultra-high definition video (4:3 or 3:2 video footage) with approximately 9x higher resolution than Full HD.Silent and unobtrusive with quick focus to capture the moment, the LUMIX GH5 will allow photographers to take advantage of high-speed, long-time high frame rate shooting capability. Unmissable moments can also be saved as beautiful photographs in a higher resolution that complies with larger size of printing by substantially increasing the resolution from 8-megapixel (4K PHOTO) to 18-megapixel (6K PHOTO) equivalent resolution.New LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT F2.8-4.0 lens seriesThe LUMIX GH5 will be featured at Photokina 2016 alongside a new LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT F2.8-4.0 lens series. Achieving both high optical performance and compact size, the LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT F2.8-4.0 lens series will include a new 12-60mm standard zoom lens, an 8-18mm wide zoom lens and a 50-200mm telephoto zoom lens. All lenses will be showcased as reference exhibits at the Panasonic booth.