Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 + Leica DG Vario Elmarit 12-60 / 2.8-4.0 Panasonic - Review 🏆

The Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 is a versatile mirrorless camera that is well-suited for both still photography and video recording. Panasonic first introduced the GH-series back in 2009 with the GH1, which was aimed at videographers and hybrid shooters. The GH5 represents the latest evolution of this video-focused line of cameras and is the successor to the popular GH4 model.

The GH5 features a 20.3MP Micro Four Thirds sensor as well as an impressive array of video capabilities, including the ability to record 4K video at up to 60fps. It has a rugged, weather-sealed magnesium alloy body and extensive physical controls for easy operation. The GH5 also offers fast autofocus, fast continuous shooting, and 5-axis in-body image stabilization.

Overall, the GH5 provides an excellent balance between stills and video in a compact yet fully-featured mirrorless camera body. It offers impressive performance and versatility for multimedia content creators and hybrid shooters who need advanced video tools as well as high-quality still photo capabilities.

Design and Build Quality

The Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 has a rugged yet compact body made of magnesium alloy with extensive weather sealing. The camera measures 5.5 x 3.9 x 3.4 inches and weighs 1.6 pounds including battery and memory card. Despite the solid build, it remains fairly lightweight and comfortable to hold.

The body is splash proof, dustproof, and freeze proof down to -10 degrees Celsius. The durable construction allows use in harsh outdoor conditions while protecting the internal components. All joints, dials and buttons are sealed to prevent moisture and dust from entering the camera. The GH5 can withstand splashes from any direction when paired with a similarly sealed lens.

Overall, the GH5 exudes a premium feel with its sleek ergonomic design and sturdy build quality. The magnesium alloy body provides durability without adding too much weight. Extensive weather sealing inspires confidence for using the camera anywhere from tropical climates to frigid temperatures.

Image Sensor

The Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 features a 20.3MP Micro Four Thirds sensor, which is smaller than APS-C and full-frame sensors but still delivers excellent image quality. The resolution provides enough detail for large prints and cropping flexibility.

In terms of low light performance, the GH5 can shoot up to ISO 25600 with surprisingly low noise levels. This makes it great for low light events, indoor shooting, and night photography where you need to use faster shutter speeds. The dynamic range is also good, providing the ability to capture shadow and highlight details in high contrast scenes.

Overall, the image sensor in the GH5 punches above its weight class. Despite the smaller physical size, it provides impressive resolution, low light performance, and dynamic range. Most enthusiasts and professionals will find it more than capable of meeting their needs.

Autofocus System

The Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 features a 225-point contrast detection autofocus system, which covers nearly the entire frame. This allows for fast and precise autofocus even when tracking moving subjects.

The GH5 can shoot at up to 12 frames per second in continuous autofocus mode, making it well-suited for shooting fast action. The autofocus tracking locks onto the subject quickly and follows it reliably around the frame.

In terms of autofocus speed, the GH5 performs very well for a mirrorless camera. Focus acquisition is nearly instantaneous in good lighting conditions. Although it slows down a bit in very low light, it remains competitive with other cameras in its class.

Overall, the autofocus capabilities of the GH5 allow it to handle a wide variety of shooting situations. The dense AF point coverage, fast frame rates, and excellent subject tracking make it a versatile option for sports, wildlife, and other types of action photography.

Image Stabilization

The Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 features a class-leading in-body image stabilization (IBIS) system that works in conjunction with lens OIS to provide up to 5 stops of compensation. This allows for sharp images when handholding the camera at slower shutter speeds.

The dual I.S system provides stabilization for a wide range of lenses, including those without built-in OIS. In testing, the IBIS proved very effective, providing sharp results down to 1/15s with the 12-60mm kit lens. This gives the GH5 versatility in low-light situations where a tripod may not be convenient.

The 5-axis system can detect and compensate for vertical, horizontal, yaw, pitch, and roll type camera shake. This allows for steady video footage when walking with the camera as well as reducing blur from wind gusts. Overall, the IBIS brings tremendous flexibility and improves the GH5's capabilities in challenging shooting scenarios.

Video Capabilities

The Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 is a top choice for videographers and filmmakers thanks to its impressive video capabilities. It can record cinema 4K video at up to 60 fps and full HD video at up to 180 fps.

For cinema 4K recording, it offers multiple bitrates up to 150 Mbps in the MP4 format using the H.264 codec. You can also record cinema 4K in the professional 10-bit 4:2:2 format using the HEVC codec with a bitrate of 400 Mbps.

Some of the high frame rates available in full HD include 60 fps, 120 fps, and 180 fps. The GH5 uses the Long GOP compression method for full HD recording, which helps keep file sizes manageable while retaining quality. Codecs available in full HD include AVCHD, MP4, and MOV.

The GH5 provides extensive video control, including zebra patterning, focus peaking, luminance spot meter, and more. It offers advanced recording features like anamorphic 4K capture, hybrid log gamma (HLG) for HDR video, and 4K anamorphic live output over HDMI. Overall, the video capabilities make the GH5 a versatile choice for both cinema and broadcast applications.

Connectivity and Ports

The Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 has an impressive array of ports and connectivity options that make it suitable for both photo and video use. On the left side it has a headphone jack, microphone jack, and full size HDMI port. The headphone jack allows you to monitor audio when recording video, while the microphone jack lets you connect an external mic for better sound quality.

The full size HDMI port is useful for outputting video to an external monitor or recorder in 4K resolution. On the right side of the camera is a USB-C port that supports USB 3.1 speeds. This allows you to transfer photos and videos to a computer very quickly. There is also a 2.5mm remote port that is compatible with Panasonic's remote shutter release accessories.

For wireless connectivity, the GH5 has both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built-in. This allows you to remotely control the camera, as well as transfer images to a mobile device using the Panasonic Image App. The wireless connectivity makes it very convenient to share photos from the GH5 while on the go.

Overall, the wide range of ports and wireless capabilities makes the GH5 incredibly well-equipped for both photo and video use. The ports are comprehensive enough for basic professional use while still being accessible for everyday hobbyists.

Battery Life

The Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 is powered by a DMW-BLF19 lithium-ion battery that provides excellent battery life.

The battery has a capacity of 1860mAh and is CIPA-rated to provide approximately 400 shots per charge. Real world battery life can vary depending on usage but most users report getting 300-500 shots before needing to recharge.

One of the strengths of the GH5's battery system is that the camera is compatible with multiple Panasonic V-Log capable batteries, including the DMW-BLF19, DMW-BLH7, and DMW-BLG10 models. This gives users flexibility to use batteries with higher capacity to extend the camera's shooting endurance when needed.

The GH5 can also charge via USB, so you can top up the battery on the go by connecting to an external USB power bank. However, charging will take longer through USB compared to using the dedicated charger.

Overall, the GH5 has very good battery performance for its class. The CIPA rating is lower than some comparable mirrorless cameras, but real-world usage shows the battery can comfortably deliver enough capacity for a full day of shooting stills and video for most users. Having cross-compatibility with higher capacity batteries is an added advantage for demanding shooting scenarios.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Excellent image quality with 20.3MP Micro Four Thirds sensor
• Fast continuous shooting up to 12 fps with AF-C
• Dual image stabilization with 5-axis in-body and optical stabilization
• 4K video capture up to 60fps, 1080p up to 180fps
• Fully articulating rear LCD touchscreen
• Weather-sealed, durable magnesium alloy body
• Wide range of video features including 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording
• Numerous ports for headphones, mic, HDMI, USB, etc.
• Good battery life, rated up to 400 shots per charge

Cons

• High price point compared to other MFT and APS-C models
• Contrast-detect AF system can struggle with fast action
• No built-in flash
• 4K video has 1.2x crop factor
• No built-in ND filter
• No headphone or mic ports on the camera body
• Ergonomics may not suit those with larger hands
• Menu system can be confusing and poorly organized

Conclusion

The Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 is an excellent choice for both photo and video enthusiasts. It offers impressive image quality, fast autofocus, great stabilization, and powerful video capabilities in a rugged, weather-sealed body.

For stills, the 20MP sensor captures sharp, detailed images even in low light. The Dual I.S. 2 stabilization effectively reduces camera shake for crisp shots. Autofocus is very fast and accurate with 225 AF points.

On the video side, the GH5 shoots Cinema 4K video at 60fps with great color rendering. V-Log L captures wide dynamic range for color grading flexibility. Slow motion options up to 180fps in 1080p resolution are available. There are also useful tools like vectorscope and waveform monitors.

Build quality is robust with full splash, dust and freeze proof sealing. The ergonomic body design offers intuitive controls and a sharp EVF and rear LCD. Connectivity options like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are handy for image transfer and remote control. Battery life is also quite good at around 400-500 shots per charge.

For hybrid shooters wanting top-notch quality in both stills and video, the GH5 represents an excellent choice without having to break the bank. It's a powerful, versatile camera that should satisfy advanced amateurs and pros looking for a compact mirrorless system.