Panasonic updates GH5 to add new video capabilities

Angled view of the Lumix GH5 Mark II camera with the G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens. (Source: Panasonic.)

Developed as a hybrid stills/video camera, the GH5 Mark II has a magnesium alloy full diecast front/rear frame, and is splash and dust-resistant and also freeze-resistant down to -10 degrees Celsius. Dual SD card slots offer further flexibility with relay recording and backup support. The free-angle, 3:2 aspect, 1,840,000-dot 3.0-inch LCD rear monitor has a higher luminosity than the GH5, plus superior colour reproduction for better visibility in outdoor shooting situations. The GH5M2 comes with Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi 5GHz (IEEE802.11ac) / 2.4GHz (IEEE802.11b/g/n) and accepts most GH5 accessories, including the XLR  microphone adaptor, the shutter remote control and the DMW-BGGH5E battery grip. It uses the same DMW-BLF22 2200 mAh battery as the ‘full frame’ Lumix S5 camera, which complies with USB PD (Power Delivery) and can be recharged via AC or USB.

The new camera introduces wireless live streaming capabilities with just the camera and a smartphone, using the LUMIX Sync app. Compliance with H.264 in RTMP/RTMPS protocol, allows streaming directly to platforms such as You Tube or Facebook without the need for a paid cloud streaming server. Wired IP streaming is also available, with the LUMIX Webcam Software download allowing the GH5M2 to connect directly to a PC via USB and act as a high quality webcam. With a future firmware update, the camera will support wired IP streaming (RTP/RTSP) providing high image quality and greater stability plus greater flexibility for live production and multi-camera setups.

This graphic shows the video capabilities of the GH5 Mark II. (Source: Panasonic.)

The GH5M2 also offers C4K and UHD 4K 60/50p  4:2:0 10-bit video recording plus simultaneous output of 4:2:2 10-bit over HDMI during 4K 60/50p 4:2:0 10-bit internal recording. Unlimited recording is available in all video modes. V-Log L is pre-installed, combining a high dynamic range with ‘flat’ rendition that retains all the colour information in the image to make it easy to match V-Log L footage recorded with other Panasonic cameras. The HLG gamma profile records a broadcast-ready colour gamut format, while two types of Cinelike gamma presets are selectable in the Photo Style menu.

MonochromeS and L.ClassicNeo Photo Styles, which were first introduced on the LUMIX S5, have also been added. All these modes can be used for Anamorphic video recording. For VFR (Variable Frame Rate) recording, C4K/4K 60fps, Anamorphic 50fps and FHD180fps are available. AF can be set before starting VFR recording. The GH5M2 also incorporates cinema-standard practical video assist tools such as Waveform Monitor and V-Log L View Assist. Other shooting assist functions include Frame Markers for checking composition during recording. A wide range of aspect ratios are supported, including those for popular social media platforms – 16:9, 4:3, 1:1, 4:5, 5:4 and 9:16. In addition, the REC Frame Indicator allows the user to check at a glance whether the camera is recording.

Rear view of the GH5 Mark II camera with the monitor against the camera body. (Source: Panasonic.)

The AF improvements first introduced with the S Series for more accurate subject detection and precise focusing have been included to enhance both video recording and still shooting. In addition to the eye, face and body, the head is also separately recognised by real-time The GH4M2 can detect the eye and face with twice the speed provided by its predecessor, even when they are 50% smaller in the frame and keep tracking subjects when they move quickly, turn away, tilt their head or move far away. Also, improvements to DFD in AF-C mode allow the camera to keep tracking small or fast-moving subjects

A firmware update to be released by the end of the year will add Live View Composite recording, USB Tethering (4G/5G Smartphone Link) compatible streaming distribution for more stable connection with smartphones and RTP/RTSP wired IP streaming via wired LAN to a computer for streaming high quality video with sound to social streaming platforms. (A USB Ethernet adaptor will be required.)

The GH5 Mark II will be available in July 2021 from leading photographic specialists at an RRP  of AU$2699 for body only or in three kit formats: the basic kit with the 12-60mm LumixG lens (H-FS12060E) at AU$2999, the ‘Pro’ kit with the  12-35mm Lumix G lens (H-HSA12035E) at AU$3700, the ‘Leica; kit with the 12-60mm Leica DG lens (H-ES12060E). Click here for more information.

SPECS
Image sensor: 17.3 x 13  mm Live MOS sensor with 21.77 million photosites (20.33 megapixels effective) , primary colour filter and anti-reflection coating
Image processor:  Venus Engine (updated)
Lens mount: Micro Four Thirds
Focal length crop factor:  2x
Digital zoom: 2.0x (EX S), 1.4x (EX M) Extre Tele Conversion
Image formats: Stills: JPEG (DCF, Exif Ver. 2.31),  RW2.RAW, RAW+JPEG, 6K PHOTO / 4K PHOTO; Movies: MOV (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, H.265/HEVC), MP4 (H.265/HEVC, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC
Audio: MOV: LPCM (2ch 48kHz/16-bit, 48kHz/24-bit, 96kHz/24-bit); MP4: AAC (2ch)
Image Sizes: Stills 4:3 aspect – 5184 x 3888, 3712 x 2784, 2624 x 1968 plus 4992 x 3744 (6K PHOTO) / 3328 x 2496 (4K PHOTO); Movies: MOV = C4K and 4K @ 50p 200Mbps (4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP), 150Mbps (4:2:0 8-bit LongGOP), 25p 400Mbps (4:2:2 10-bit ALL-Intra), 150Mbps (4:2:2 10-bit ALL-Intra), 150Mbps (4:2:2 10-bit LongGOP), 100Mbps (4:2:0 8-bit LongGOP); MP4 = 4K @ 50p 100Mbps (4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP), 25p 72Mbps (4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP), 100Mbps (4:2:0 8-bit LongGOP), FHD @ 50p 28Mbps (4:2:0 8-bit LongGOP), 25p 20Mbps (4:2:0 8-bit LongGOP); Variable Frame MOV – C4K @ 25p 100Mbps (4:2:0 8-bit LongGOP), 25p 100Mbps (4:2:0 8-bit LongGOP)
Video features: Variable frame rate recording in MOV format; Full / Pixel by Pixel selection for image area for video, Streaming quality: PAL (50.00Hz) – [FHD] 1920×1080 50.00p, 16Mbps / 8Mbps, 25.00p, 6Mbps / 3Mbps,  [HD] 1280×720 50p / 25p; Master pedestal level – 31 steps; Wave form monitor / Vectorscope; LUT / HLG view assist; Anamorphic desqueeze display; Time code, SMPTE / EBU / ARIB) colour bars; 1kHz test tone; Knee control (in Like709 mode); Red REC Frame Indicator, Streaming Blue Frame Indicator
Aspect ratios: 4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 1:1; 5:4, 9:16
Image Stabilisation: Image sensor shift type (5-axis / 6.5-stops); 6.5-stop Dual I.S. 2 compatible for movies
Dust removal: Image sensor shift type
Shutter (speed range): Focal-plane shutter (60-1/9000 seconds plus Bulb to 30 minutes; Electronic shutter: 60 to 1/16,000 second; minimum 1/25 sec. for movies); flash sync at 1/250 sec.
Exposure Compensation: +/-5EV in 1/3EV steps (+/-3EV for movies)
Exposure bracketing:  3, 5, 7 images in 1/3, 2/3 or 1 EV steps; max. +/-3 EV, single/burst
Other bracketing options: Aperture, focus, white balance
Self-timer: 2 or 10 seconds delay plus 10sec, 3 images and Custom setting
Interval recording: Yes, for time-lapse and stop motion animation
Focus system: Contrast AF system with DFD technology; detection range EV -4 to 18; focus ring control (linear/non-linear)
AF  selection: Auto Detection (Face, Eye, Body, Animal) / Tracking / 225-Area / Zone (Vertical/Horizontal) / Zone (Square) / Zone (Oval) / 1-Area+ / 1-Area / Pinpoint / Custom 1, 2, 3 (Full area touch is available) (Scalable AF frame size and flexible AF position)
Focus modes: AFS (Single) / AFC (Continuous) / MF plus Post Focus & Focus Stacking
Exposure metering:  1,728-zone multi-pattern sensing system with Multiple, Centre-weighted average, Highlight weighted and spot metering patterns
Shooting modes: Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual Exposure, Creative Video, Custom (x 4), Intelligent Auto
Photo Style modes: Standard / Vivid / Natural / L. Classic Neo / Flat / Landscape / Portrait / Monochrome / L. Monochrome / L. Monochrome D / L. Monochrome S / Cinelike D2 / Cinelike V2 / Like709 / V-Log L / Hybrid Log Gamma / My Photo Style 1-10
Picture adjustments: Contrast / Highlight / Shadow / Saturation / Colour Tone / Hue / Filter Effect / Grain Effect / Colour Noise / Sharpness / Noise Reduction / ISO / WB
Filter 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
Movie adjustments: Master pedestal level 31 steps, Wave form monitor / Vectorscope, LUT view assist for monitor and HDMI, HLG view assist (3 modes), Anamorphic desqueeze display, Synchro scan, Time code, SS/Gain, Colour bars (SMPTE / EBU / ARIB), 1kHz test tone, Knee control, Red REC Frame Indicator, Streaming Blue Frame Indicator, Vertical Position Information, Level gauge
Colour space options: sRGB and Adobe RGB
ISO range: Auto, ISO 100 (Extended) / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200 / 6400 / 12800 / 25600 (adjustable in 1/3 EV steps)
White balance: AWB, AWBc, AWBw, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Flash, White Set (x 4), Colour temperature setting (2500-10000K in 100K), B/A  and M/G adjsutments
Flash: TTL external flash only
Flash modes: Auto/ Auto/Red-eye Reduction/ Forced On / Forced On/Red-eye Reduction / Slow Sync. / Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction / Forced Off; 1^st/2^nd curtain sync available
Flash exposure adjustment: +/- 3EV in 1/3EV steps
Sequence shooting: Max.12 shots/sec. (AFS/MF) ; 60 fps in 4K PHOTO mode, 30 fps in 6K PHOTO mode
Buffer capacity: To card capacity with JPEGs, >108 frames with RAW files
Storage Media: Dual slots for SD, SDHC, SDXC cards (UHS-I / UHS-II UHS Speed Class 3 / Video Speed Class 90 standard compatible)
Viewfinder: OLED Live View Finder with 3,680,000 dots, 100% FOV, 0.76x magnification (35mm equivalent), 120fps / 60fps refresh rate, 21 mm eyepoint, -4 to +3 dpt adjustment, eye sensor
LCD monitor: Free-angle, 3.0-inch TFT LCD monitor with 3:2 aspect, approx. 1,840,000 dots, static touch control
Interface terminals: SuperSpeed USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-C,  HDMI Type A, 2.5mm remote jack, 3.5mm jack s for external microphone and headphones
Wi-Fi function: Built-in Wi-Fi 2.4GHz (STA/AP) (IEEE802.11b/g/n) 5GHz (STA) (IEEE 802.11a/n/ac); Bluetooth v4.2 (Bluetooth Low Energy)
Power supply: rechargeable Li-ion battery; CIPA rated for approx. shots/charge with monitor,  shots/charge with EVF; support for USB charging
Dimensions (wxhxd): Approx. 138.5 x 98.1 x 87.4 mm (excluding protrusions)
Weight: Approx. 727 grams with battery and card

RRP: AU$2699 (body only); $2999 (with H-FS12060E kit lens);
Distributor: Panasonic Australia, Ph. 132 600; www.panasonic.com.au