Panasonic releases full details of Lumix DC-GH5

 The new Lumix DC-GH5, shown with the Leica-branded 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 lens that will be offered with the camera body. (Source: Panasonic.)

Introduced in a development announcement at Photokina in September 2016, the DC-GH5 is built to meet the demands of professional users and features a weather-sealed body, large-capacity batteries, dual UHS-II compatible SD Card slots and powerful Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. Both card slots have access lamps so it is easy to see at a glance if the card is in use. The durable shutter unit is rated for around 200,000 releases, and the camera provides a top shutter speed of up to 1/8000 second (mechanical shutter) or up to 1/16000 second (electronic shutter). The external flash can be synchronised with up to 1/250 second shutter speed. Panasonic’s heat dissipation technology prevents overheating and ensures the camera can record without time restrictions, even with stabilisation activated and using the highest quality 4K video modes.

 Back view of the Lumix DC-GH5 with the articulating monitor reversed. (Source: Panasonic.)

A  best-in-class 3.6 million-dot OLED viewfinder features an increased magnification of 0.76x and enables users to frame movies using the EVF’s eyepiece. It is supported by a sizeable 3.2-inch articulated touch screen monitor, with a sharp 1.6 million-dot resolution. The camera also provides a full size HDMI output connector as well as Bluetooth 4.2 Low Energy connection and secure 5GHz Wi-Fi (IEEE-802.11ac). These interfaces streamline field work with convenient remote control and sharing with other devices plus faster data transmission.
 

 Top view of the Lumix DC-GH5 with the 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 lens. (Source: Panasonic.)

The 20-megapixel Digital Live MOS sensor in the DC-GH5 has no Low Pass Filter , enabling maximum resolution and detail to be captured. It is partnered with a new Venus Engine processor that can process signals from the sensor 1.3x faster, enabling the camera to   capture high quality stills and video while utilising the full sensor area to ensure the full angle-of-view of the lens is maintained. It also supports new shooting modes for recording 4K 50/60p movies and 6K Photo  stills. The DC-GH5 offers a choice of MOV, MP4, AVCHD Progressive and AVCHD recording formats and there is no recording time limit for either FHD or 4K video. It also includes such professional functions as the ability to switch recording frequencies between 59.94Hz / 50.00Hz / 24.00Hz  and VFR (variable frame rate) recording with overcranking and undercranking for quick motion in 4K resolution (60fps, maximum 2.5x slower) as well as Full HD (180fps, maximum 7.5x slower). Time Lapse video can also be produced in-camera and Focus Transition can be set in advance to move the focus between different subjects. In addition to ‘Cinelike D’ and ‘Cinelike V’ gamma settings, the DC-GH5 provides 709-like gamma and knee control for HDTV compatibility.  The DC-GH5’s V-Log profile (available with the purchase of the V-Log L video recording software upgrade) enables videographers to capture footage with the same flat colour profile found in Panasonic’s Varicam broadcast camera.

Panasonic’s Dual IS 2 technology combines 5-axis internal stabilisation with the optical image stabilisation in selected lenses to provide up to 5 stops of shake compensation. The new  6K Photo enables the DC-GH5 to record a burst of 18 megapixel still images continuously at 30fps with no buffer limit. The original 4K Photo now features twice the frame rate, capturing 60fps in 8-megapixel resolution. The camera also offers 6K support with the original 4K Burst,  4K Burst (Start/Stop) and 4K Pre-burst shooting modes.

The number of focus sensors has been increased from 49 to 225 and users can create a group of 225 focus areas and move or change it in size according to the composition. Face/Eye Recognition, Tracking AF, 1-area AF and Pinpoint AF modes are also available. All focusing operations can be controlled with the new joystick located on the thumb position, enabling users to adjust focusing while keeping their eyes on the subject while using the EVF. AF Custom Settings include AF Sensitivity, AF Area Switching Sensitivity and Moving Object Prediction Level. Four presets are available for frequently used situations.

Panasonic’s Contrast AF with DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology has been upgraded to improve AF performance when tracking moving subjects, with a doubling of the speed of the sensor drive to 480 fps, resulting in the ability to autofocus in approximately 0.05 second. Burst speeds of up to 12 (AFS)/ 9 (AFC) fps can be achieved in full resolution with the mechanical shutter.    

Panasonic has scheduled several upgrades for the coming year. The camera will offer compatibility with 400-Mbps 4:2:2 10-bit All-Intra video recording in 4K 30p/25p/24p and Full-HD later in 2017. At the same time, Panasonic will also add high-resolution video recording in Anamorphic mode; 4K Hybrid Gamma Profile which is compatible with 4K HDR television; and USB tethering.

The DC-GH5 will go on sale in Australia in April 2017 for AU$2999 (body only) or AU$3999 with either the Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 lens (H-ES12060E) or the 12-35mm f2.8 lens (H-HSA12035E). An Accessory Battery Grip (DMW-BGGH5E) will be offered for an RRP of AU$399 along with an XLR Microphone Adaptor for AU$499. Full details of the DC-GH5 and its lenses and accessories can be found at http://www.panasonic.com/au/consumer/lumix-cameras-video-cameras/lumix-g-cameras.html.

SPECIFICATIONS LIST:

Image sensor:17.3 x 13.0 mm  Live MOS sensor with 21.77 million photosites (20.3 megapixels effective)
Image processor:  Venus Engine
Lens mount: Micro Four Thirds
Focal length crop factor: 2x
Aspect ratio settings: 4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 1:1
Image formats: Stills: JPEG (DCF, Exif Ver.2.31, MPF Baseline compliant), RW2.RAW, MP4 H.265/HEVC (for 6K Photo & 4K Photo); Movies: MP4: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, MOV: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC,  AVCHD Progressive, AVCHD (Audio format: Dolby Audio 2ch)
Image Sizes: Stills ““ 4:3 aspect: 5184 x 3888, 3712 x 2784, 2624 x 1968, 4992 x 3744(6K PHOTO) / 3328 x 2496(4K PHOTO); 3:2 aspect: 5184 x 3456, 3712 x 2480,  2624 x 1752, 5184 x 3456(6K PHOTO) / 3504 x 2336(4K PHOTO); 16:9 aspect: 5184 x 2920, 3840 x 2160, 1920 x 1080, 3840 x 2160(4K PHOTO); 1:1 aspect: 3888 x 3888, 2784 x 2784, 1968 x 1968, 2880 x 2880(4K PHOTO); Movies: [C4K] 4096 x 2160 at 23.98p, 150Mbps (4:2:2 10-bit LongGOP) (LPCM, High-Res Audio) / 100Mbps (4:2:0 8-bit LongGOP) (LPCM, High-Res Audio); [4K] 3840 x 2160 at 50.00p, 150Mbps, 25.00p, 400Mbps, 25.00p, 150Mbps;  [Full HD] 1920 x 1080: 50p 200Mbps/100Mbps, 25p 200Mbps/100Mbps, 24p  200Mbps/100Mbps, 50p 28Mbps, 50i/24 or 17Mbps, 25p/24 or 17Mbps
Image Stabilisation: Image sensor shift type (5-axis / 5-stop), Dual I.S. (Dual I.S. 2 compatible)
Dust removal: Supersonic wave filter
Shutter (speed range): Focal-plane shutter (1/8,000 – 60 seconds plus Bulb); Electronic first curtain shutter (1/2,000 – 60 seconds plus Bulb); Electronic shutter (1/16,000 – 1 second); Bulb max. 30 minutes; Shutter life approx. 200,000 cycles
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5EV in 1/3EV steps (+/-3EV for movies)
Exposure bracketing: 3, 5, 7 images in 1/3, 2/3 or 1 EV step, max. +/-3 EV, single/burst
Other bracketing options: Aperture, Focus, White Balance
Self-timer: 2 or 10 seconds delay plus 10 sec delay, 3 images
Focus system: Contrast AF system with DFD technology
Focus modes: AFS (Single), AFF (Flexible), AFC (Continuous), MF; Face/Eye Detection, Tracking, 225-Area, Custom Multi / 1-Area / Pinpoint
Exposure metering:  1,728-zone multi-pattern sensing system with Multiple, Centre-weighted and Spot metering patterns
Shooting modes: Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual
Photo Style modes: Standard, Vivid, Natural, Monochrome, L. Monochrome, Scenery, Portrait, Custom 1, 2, 3, 4; Movie options: Cinelike D / Cinelike V / Like709 / V-LogL (optional Upgrade Software Key DMW-SFU1 is required)
Creative Control modes: Expressive, Retro, Old Days, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Monochrome, Dynamic Monochrome, Rough Monochrome*, Silky Monochrome*, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process, Toy Effect, Toy Pop, Bleach Bypass, Miniature Effect**, Soft Focus*, Fantasy, Star Filter*, One Point Colour , Sunshine* (*For photos only. **Not available in 4:2:2 10-bit video or 4K video recording)
Colour space options: sRGB and Adobe RGB
ISO range: Auto, Intelligent ISO, 100 (Extended), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600 (Changeable to 1/3 EV step)  
White balance: Auto, AWBc, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Flash, White Set 1, 2, 3, 4, Colour temperature setting 1, 2, 3, 4; Blue/Amber, Magenta/Green bias adjustments
Flash: TTL External Flash (sold separately)
Flash modes: Auto*, Auto/Red-eye Reduction*, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off (* For iA, iA+ only); first/second curtain synch available
Flash exposure adjustment: +/- 3EV in 1/3EV steps
Sequence shooting: Max. 12 frames/sec.; max. 60 fps in 4K Photo mode
Buffer capacity: Max. 600 JPEGs, 60 RAW files or  RAW+JPEG pairs
Storage Media: Dual slots for SD, SDHC, SDXC cards (Compatible with UHS-I standard SDHC / SDXC Memory Cards)
Viewfinder: OLED Live View Finder with 3,680,000 dots, 100% coverage,  approx. 1.52x  magnification, 21 mm eyepoint, -4.0 – +3.0 dpt dioptre adjustment, eye sensor
LCD monitor: Free-angle 3.2-inch,  3:2 aspect  TFT LCD monitor with static touch control, approx 1,620,000 dots, 100% coverage
Live View shooting: 2x, 4x digital zoom, Extra Tele Conversion: max. 2x for stills, 1.6x for 4K Photo, 2.7x for movies (FHD)
Playback functions: 30-thumbnail display, 12-thumbnail display, Calendar display, Zoomed playback (Max. 16x), Slideshow (All / Picture Only / Video Only, duration & effect is selectable), Playback Mode (Normal / Picture Only / Video Only), Location Logging, RAW Processing, 4K PHOTO Bulk Saving, Light Composition, Clear Retouch, Title Edit, Text Stamp, Video Divide, Time Lapse Video, Stop Motion Video, Resize, Cropping, Rotate, Rotation Display, Favourite, DPOF Print Set, Protect, Face Recognition Edit, Picture Sort, Creating Still Pictures from a Motion Picture
Interface terminals: USB Type-C, Super Speed USB3.1 GEN1, HDMI (TypeA / VIERA Link, Audio: Stereo), 2.5mm jack for remote controller, 3.5mm jacks for headphones and  external microphone
Wi-Fi function: IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth v4.2 (Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), QR Code Connection
Power supply: 7.2V, 1860mAh, 14Wh rechargeable Li-ion battery pack; CIPA rated for approx. 400 shots/charge
Dimensions (wxhxd): Approx. 138.5 x 98.1 x 87.4 mm (excluding protrusions)
Weight: Approx. 645grams (body only);  725 grams with battery and card

RRP: AU$2999 (body only); US$2000 (body only)
Distributor: Panasonic Australia, Ph. 132 600; www.panasonic.com.au