So it has two native ISOs, and can ramp up the low-light sensitivity from there." With the exception of the original, the Panasonic G1, all Lumix MFT cameras have also shot video to some extent. Thus, videographers wanting stable handheld footage with their GH5S will need to invest in extra equipment or make sure to use Lumix lenses with optical image stabilization which can't correct for roll. The GH5S has a large LVF (Live View Finder) with a stunningly high magnification ratio of approximately 1.52x/0.76x (35mm camera equivalent) providing smooth display at 120 fps. Plus, the GH5S includes V-Log, for much better control over dynamic range and color grading in post processing -- this is included by default on the GH5S, whereas V-Log is a paid upgrade option on the GH5. I personally have been waiting for the day that this would start happening at a point where anyone who wanted to, could take advantage of it. And for the audio component of your videos, there are both 3.5mm headphone and microphone jacks as well as an onboard stereo mic with a third, hidden noise cancellation mic. With the addition of ISO 25,600, 51,200, and two expanded ISOs of High 102,400 and High 204,800, you're going to find that three of the four are actually usable, and two of the four are in the "excellent" category. Plus, Full HD (1920x1080) can be captured at up to 240p. Power comes from a 7.2-volt, 1,860mAh, 14Wh DMW-BLF19 lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack, just as in the GH5. Sure, RED and ARRI have been making this kind of quality for some time, but those are not what I call "approachable" cameras. While both cameras use contrast-detect AF systems, the GH5S is rated for better low-light AF, thanks to its lower-res sensor with larger pixels. But if you opt instead for the GH5S, you will find that its much broader sensitivity range and lower noise levels allow you to use a higher sensitivity to achieve a faster shutter speed in the first place, so perhaps stabilization won't be needed as often. Working with the footage was quite easy. ) Note that continuous AF performance is one frame per second slower than was possible with the GH5, or two fps slower if you enable 14-bit raw capture. The other main accessory is the always useful DMW-BGGH5 Battery Grip. The Panasonic GH5S impresses with its ability to shoot consumer 4K and Cinema 4K content entirely in-camera at a rate of 60 frames per second, both of which the company says are world's firsts for a mirrorless camera. Internally, you can hit standard frame rates, but the GH5S has the distinction of having external 10-bit recording for DCI 4K at 60p. You don’t need to outfit it with a billion little accessories and mounts to get what you need. When it comes to performance metrics, it's no surprise that this camera shares a lot of similarities to the GH5. But there are cameras that feel as though they were created with purpose, care and as though the developers not only understood what we as artists wanted, but also saw beyond our desires to craft a finished product that exceeds even the loftiest of expectations. The earlier GH5 includes an in-body, sensor-shift type image stabilization system, and then extends its utility still further by allowing it to function in concert with lens-based stabilization, a technique Panasonic refers to as Dual I.S. Other than this, the sensor is outstanding, with very clean output at high ISOs. And not just a little, but a lot? : Elec. The GH5S continues the trend, but in doing so makes sure to include all the essential controls, buttons, and dials right on the body. Low saturation is a good way to hide ISO noise, but I'm not prepared to say that's the reason the A7S II looks so much better. But where you will see current GH5 owners draw the line is losing the in-body stabilization. It’s sharp, clean, and impressive. I'm very impressed with the performance at 25,600 considering it's two stops more than I can achieve with either the 1DX II or the GH5. By contrast, the GH5S never uses its entire sensor area, regardless of the aspect ratio you choose. This has, so far, been a good decision. Deal. This is a video-centric camera, and the fact it takes photos really is secondary. Up to a 2.5x slow-motion effect is possible for 4K or Cinema 4K footage, and up to a 10x slow-motion effect for Full HD content. In order to achieve the new recording options like Cinema 4K at 60 frames per second and the new low-light performance, Panasonic had to make some sacrifices. Oh, and if you like to keep close tabs on your autofocus or even fine-tune focus manually, you'll also be happy to see both a 20x manual focus assist mode and an AF point-scope function present and accounted for. Unveiled at CES 2018 today, the GH5S ⦠It's not supposed to be any of those cameras. During stills shooting, the Advanced DFD system is reliable, but being only contrast based is limiting. But weâre just getting started. Sadly, you can't just charge the battery in-camera, though, so you do have to remember to bring the charger along. Lens stabilization still works, so you have options if you absolutely need them. Looking at the GH5S, it's hard to say exactly who this camera is for. The GH5S features an 11.93-megapixel multi-aspect Four Thirds sensor with a maximum output resolution of about 10.2MP in 4:3 mode, yielding about half the pixel count of the regular GH5. It can absolutely compete with other video cameras and is usable at a much higher ISO than many shooters are going to be used to, provided they don't already own the A7S II. I can't think of any other video camera that can do as much as the GH5S that has that kind of value. 04/02/2018: Gallery Images posted Or better yet, should I just buy one GH5S and outfit my entire filmmaking rig with my remaining $7500? The Panasonic GH5 is already one of the best video cameras you can purchase, especially once you consider its size and low cost. As high as ISO 25,600, there is very little noise and the end result is extremely clean. To minimize the effect of different lens' focusing speed, we test AF-active shutter lag with the lens already set to the correct focal distance. Beyond just the ISO sensitivity performance, the GH5S offers a number of options for upping the image quality of your video footage. Not responsible for typographical or illustrative errors. Mirrorless for video came about because the cameras are small and affordable; packing-in these pro-level features make that true again. Time to capture, after half-pressing and holding shutter button. Here, video capture is clearly of huge importance, and an area in which this camera offers some really significant improvements over the GH5. That said, that's incredibly impressive. 1. This provides a slightly wider dynamic range and more color information. We're told that there are two main concerns in a camera aimed at professional videographers. I'm not sure what the actual crop factor is at this time, but just know that it is indeed wider. Ordinarily, at this point in one of our overviews, we'd give you a rundown of the camera's performance, autofocus and exposure capabilities, and maybe some special features, then circle back for video capture towards the end of the article. And needless to say, the Panasonic GH5S is yet another worthy addition to our list of Dave's Picks. Letâs start with the camera bodies:The Blackmagic Design Pocket Camera 4K (Amazon, B&H) is definitely looking good here. In order to achieve vastly improved sensitivity, Panasonic dropped the resolution down to just 10.2 megapixels with what they call their Digital MOS Sensor with Dual Native ISO Technology, paired to a Venus Engine 10 image processor. The GH5S is the first camera in its class capable of recording Cinema 4K (4096x2160) in 60p. Even when you do, the GH5S will still do many tasks better than those high-end cameras. The GH5S separates itself from the original GH5 in two other ways, one being the removal of on-sensor stabilization, and the second being the inclusion of VLog out of the box. This is dramatically larger than the original GH5, which saw its ISO range stop at 12,800. The GH5S introduces four new higher-end ISO settings (and adds ISO 80 on the low end), but how many of those new ISO settings are usable? I increased the ISO at each of its intervals, and I have to say, it's pretty impressive what this "little" sensor can see in the dark. Apart from the "GH5S" branding and a few new styling tweaks, such as the bright red recording button, the GH5 and GH5S look exactly alike. Each photodiode has grown in size by around 1.96 times, and according to Panasonic that change translates to a 1.5-stop (9.7dB) improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio. You didn’t buy this camera for the stills, though. (The GH5 was ISO 200 at base and ISO 100-expandable.). Most cameras capture data from the full sensor area in its native aspect ratio, and then simply discard the top and bottom of the image for wider-aspect shots, or the sides for narrower-aspect ones. When it comes down to it, the folks who will be more inclined to purchase the GH5S are those who already own the GH5. It's a device willing to work with me the creator, and together we are making some truly breathtaking visuals. I'll be told it's hyperbolic, since there are some truly outstanding video cameras on the market from Sony, ARRI and RED. The Panasonic GH5S uses a custom rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack for power, and comes with both a single battery and dedicated battery charger. Finally, Panasonic has developed plenty of accessories for the GH5S, so let’s talk about the video-specific ones. And that, of course, also means there's no Dual I.S. The GH5S shares many of the same Pros & Cons as the GH5 -- for the full list, see our GH5 Conclusion. (The GH5S actually managed even deeper raw buffers in our lab testing. See the table above. This is one of the best video cameras you can buy today, and basically the best video camera at or under $2,500 (the closest competitor camera is the original GH5, and again it depends on what you value more: ISO or IBIS). Overall, the GH5S is a brilliant evolutionary step in the GH line. Reviewing the footage revealed that its improvements to low-light performance are not understated. Even at relatively low ISOs â such as the second native ISO of 2500 on the GH5S (the other one is 400) â the clarity of the image compared to ⦠0. Every digital camera has a native ISO. Bulky, expensive, complicated and cumbersome (did I mention expensive), they are designed for the highest end level of filmmaking. Startup and mode switching are reasonably fast, while autofocus speeds and shutter lag are pretty quick. Clean performance at 12,800 is already extremely impressive, but what about at even higher ISOs? The more video-centric (but still very stills-capable) Lumix GH5S shares almost exactly the same body with its earlier sibling, differing only in the addition of a red 'S' beneath the GH5 logo, a small red trim ring in place of the bottom row of knurling on the drive mode dial, and a bold red color for the video record button. In the modern era, you will find fewer filmmaking cameras that will impress you as much as the GH5S, and none that can even come close to its price point. That difference in pixel counts has a very big effect on the size of the photodiodes on the sensor surface, which in turn translates into a huge impact on noise levels. And for the earlier camera, that was it, but the GH5S will now continue on up to ISO 204,800 if you enable its extended sensitivity range. The GH5S does deliver on itâs low light promise, even vs the best 4K full frame cameras. A sensor significantly smaller than the full-frame A7S II is beating that camera in low-light performance. That's right. This means that after ISO 400, you see more and more noise as you increase the ISO. This means that the GH5s sensor has 2 sets of ISO circuitry, each optimized for a different range of ISO. The result is a digital imager that can "faithfully reproduce even the dark parts of the image," with a new ISO range of 80 through 204,800. As befits a camera aimed at pros, no kit lenses or color options are offered. The lower of the pair equates to ISO 400 ordinarily (ISO 800 for V-LogL or HLG capture), and the higher equates to ISO 2500 ordinarily (ISO 5000 for V-LogL or HLG). Posted by 2 years ago. Here Are Six Ideas, Introduction to Lens Mounts and Lens Adapters, 10 Tips to Improve Your Aviation Photography, © 2000-2020 B & H Foto & Electronics Corp. 420 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001. Burst performance is excellent, as are buffer depths, however buffer clearing can be sluggish when shooting RAW files despite UHS-II card support and the smaller 10.2-megapixel files. Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Camera, Panasonic DMW-XLR1 XLR Microphone Adapter, Atomos Ninja V 5" 4K HDMI Recorder/Monitor. Though it maintains the same exterior design and handling of the the GH5, which is arguably still a photo-centric camera (despite its healthy video feature set) the GH5S is simply a video camera first and foremost. Plus, despite its smaller Four Thirds sensor, the GH5S competes quite impressively at high ISO video quality against high-end full-frame cameras. In contrast, the GH5S in the exact same situation at the exact same settings does considerably better. It's actually outstanding, and looks much better than just about any other video camera it could be compared to in its class other than the A7S II. But Panasonic quite correctly states it to be 10.28 megapixels effective, as that's the active pixel count in 4:3-aspect mode (10.2 megapixels of which are in the final image after some peripheral pixels are discarded during processing), which bests the 9.8-megapixel count for 3:2-aspect shots, and the 7.6-megapixel count for 1:1-aspect ones. If you want 10-bit 4:2:2 footage, you'll need to stay at rates of 30 fps or below. But the GH5S lacks in-body stabilization of any kind, instead relying solely on your lenses to provide image stabilization. The GH5, on the other hand, does have IBIS, which works really well, making handheld video shooting very easy. The GH5S' low-res sensor also allows for native capture (one-to-one pixel mapping) of DCI 4K video with no crop, faster readout speeds, reduced rolling shutter and reduced heat generation than higher res sensors, all else being equal. What I'm saying is, unless you're doing really high level color grading and post production, you probably won't notice a difference in most circumstances. The two slots can be written to sequentially, set to segregate by file type or to serve as a backup in the event of a card failure. you release and press the shutter too quickly in Single Shot mode, When shooting 12-bit RAW or 12-bit RAW + Large/Fine JPEG files, the average frame rate actually exceeded Panasonic's spec, at 12.5 and 13.1 frames per second respectively. With respect. For some reason the wider audience won't respect it as much as a Canon, a Nikon or a Sony and that's OK. It also seems like the colors just popped and were more vibrant than standard DSLR/mirrorless 8-bit recordings. It's not that it's rare to find us talking about a camera. The Sony A7S series has always been considered the leader in low light at very high ISOs. The two "High" ISO settings of 102,400 and 204,800 are pretty noisy, muddy and overall not great. And that's not just important for video capture, either. The result is the GH5S is 2.38x (7.5db) more sensitive than its GH5 counterpart. At least in those scenes it appears the overall video quality of the S is comparable to the GH5. You won't find many GH5 owners who will be upset to find that the camera only takes 10-megapixel images, since those who love the GH5 don't love it for its photos. Surprisingly clean high ISOs in the GH5S. While both the cameras feature a Four Thirds sensors, the Panasonic GH5 has a 20.0 MP while the newer Panasonic GH5S has a 10.0 MP resolution. Because this goes out to the edges of the image circle, having stabilization could lead to vignetting issues. Buffer clearing, however, is surprisingly sluggish, particularly with RAW files, despite the small, lower-res 10MP size and UHS-II card support. Crafted from magnesium alloy, the GH5S' body is still sealed against dust, moisture and cold, allowing it to withstand minor splashes, dusty environments and use in temperatures as low as 14°F (-10°C). #0907905; Sec. A test scene lit at 6500K shot with Panasonic Lumix GH5S (ISO 160, lowest ISO available) f/8 and automatic white balance:, focus point is the Siemens star in the center. Unlike the GH5, the GH5s has a low ⦠So, to go one step further, Panasonic created the specialized Lumix GH5S, a video-centric GH5 that provides a number of internal components and capability changes that make it more suited to serious videographers. Argue with me all you want about Canon Cinema cameras or Blackmagic equipment, there is no doubt that the GH5S can do anything those cameras could be used for either just as well or better, and for a fraction of the price. At ISO 12,800 and higher, the GH5S does begin to falter in terms of video image quality compared to the larger-sensored 12MP A7S II. Full-resolution buffer depth was essentially limited only by card capacity when shooting Large/Fine JPEGs (Panasonic claims 600 or more frames and we've confirmed 600). Typically as you need to brighten the image by increasing the ISO, the image quality degrades. Single-shot cycle times were quite fast at 0.39 second for best quality JPEGs and 0.45 second for RAW+JPEG. And although the autofocus speed is slightly slower and the lack of body-based image stabilization removes some of what made the GH5 so versatile, the GH5S offers such a wealth of features and high quality video that it's easy to overlook these minor points. (Interested readers can find an English translation of the CIPA DC-002 standards document here. There are, however, slight differences in autofocus performance compared to the GH5. Lower resolutions mean faster processing and less noise. Sure, it's less saturated, but the size of the noise grain is much smaller than that of the GH5S, and overall the sharpness is better on the A7S II. I think that if you are looking to buy a mirrorless solely for its video prowess, it’ll be hard to not include the GH5S on your list. Feb 12, 2018 permalink. Certainly ISO 3200 on my Panasonic S5 looks very similarly clean to ISO 3200 on the new Sony A7S III. In this, the second field test of this camera, I want to show you what can be done in near darkness as well as how beautiful footage looks in ideal lighting. Here is a scene I shot in the "Standard" profile to give you a sense of what the camera captures without using Log. I've been pretty much resigned to the fact that my smaller sensor cameras would always be far behind in performance when compared to full-frame cameras, but the GH5S has completely turned my reality on its head. Today, outside of a dedicated cinema camera like an Alexa or a RED, you will find no better filmmaking tool than the GH5S. When shooting 12-bit RAWs, it actually exceeded the 12fps spec. It's entirely another thing, and one worthy of significant praise, to choose to improve on something already excellent. Close. It's simply actively trying to hold the sensor still, rather than actively moving it to cancel out camera motion.). Of course, it can still take still photos, but at the end of the day, the GH5S is designed for video and serious videographers. Honestly, video from the GH5 actually looks better than the 1DX II, but the GH5S is on a whole other level. Additionally, Panasonic also added C4Kp30 in both 8 and 10 bit, which are new when compared to the GH5. This makes it unlike most cameras, where one specific sensitivity offers the best signal to noise ratio since the signal needn't be amplified before A/D conversion, and noise levels climb or dynamic range is curtailed as you raise or lower the sensitivity from its native point. The Panasonic GH5s will definitely do better in low light. In other words, the GH5S has decent autofocus, but it’s not going to blow you away when it comes to fast subject tracking and face detection. The CIPA-rated 440 shots per charge when using the LCD monitor and 410 shots with the EVF are above average for a mirrorless ILC (but keep in mind there no built-in flash with is normally fired for 50% of shots for CIPA testing), however battery life is much lower than a typical DSLR when using an optical viewfinder. But the GH5S can also work in that world, as proven by large studios even using a Canon 5D on sets of films as big as Marvel's Avengers. What the GH5S lacks in on-sensor stabilization (a move made by Panasonic at the request of high-end filmmakers who found it to work poorly with car, drone rigs and other mechanical stabilizers), it makes up for in pure image quality across a range of ISOs. It’s on the GH5, so why is it gone here? I've shot with it professionally twice now and used it in testing environments more than a dozen times, and the soul of this camera has gripped me since the first time I looked at the footage it produced. 10-bit recording is a revolutionary feature for video in mirrorless cameras. It's supposed to be a Panasonic GH camera, and as one, it is truly the best they've ever made. The lower resolution does mean that you won’t get the potential benefits of down-sampling (namely sharper images); however, the images seemed quite sharp and lacked any issues, such as aliasing or moiré. Comparing apples to apples with video grabs from both cameras, the GH5S still does surprisingly well up to about ISO 6400, but beyond that the Sony's larger sensor and dynamic noise reduction catapults their camera's capabilities far beyond what we expected, and changed our opinion in the comparison. The central promise of the GH5S is better performance in low light and at higher ISOs. You can however take additional photos and adjust settings while the buffer is clearing. The LCD monitor is still on a side-mounted tilt/swivel mechanism to allow framing from all angles, a favorite design feature among IR staffers. As if that wasn't enough, there's plenty else for video shooters besides. All in all, the GH5S has pretty much every video feature and setting required for all but the most demanding or specialized video creator. A bonus for stills and time-lapse shooters is the addition of 14-bit raw, a first for Panasonic. That last bit about the removal of IBIS puts this camera in a funny place for me. When manually focused, the GH5S' lag time dropped to 0.083 second with the mechanical shutter, which is very good, though not quite as fast as the GH5's 0.066 second. It looks as clean as a shot I would expect at something like 400 or 800 ISO; it's that good. The GH5S appears to want to be considered as such, so it is only fair to compare to the only camera that has been hailed as king of that segment since its inception: the Sony A7S II. Besides sensor tech improving low-light performance—the Achilles’ heel of Micro Four Thirds, if you ask me—the GH5S gains Dual Native ISO, a function that had previously been reserved for high-end cinema cameras. In all cases, raw buffer depth is 80 frames and JPEG buffer depths as deep as 600 frames when using a UHS-II U3 compliant flash card. Now, Panasonic has decided to create something dedicated entirely to its cine-minded audience: the GH5S. Not only is the subject well captured, but the shadows are also extremely usable. Panasonic has revealed its latest digital camera, the LUMIX GH5S, putting a focus on low-light performance. But what if I told you it could be improved. ... As well as being a low light beast, the 10.2mp GH5S sensor is ⦠Clearly that's not the case. Not so the GH5S. I said that the GH5S is one of the best video cameras ever made, and I of course will catch flack for such a statement. Helpfully, you can also frame in near-total darkness with the live boost function, which reduces live view frame rate and boosts sensitivity levels for a better view of dimly-lit scenes. It's wonderful to finally see a camera that can produce this kind of imagery at a price point that is actually affordable. In the end, if you're a serious video creator looking for a compact yet feature-packed video camera, the Panasonic GH5S is the one to pick. Heck, even with love. And this is clearly a feature Panasonic expects most owners to take advantage of, as well, since it's including the requisite flash sync terminal to BNC conversion cable in the box. But at the same time, it'll perform much better than its higher-res twin when shooting video or in low ambient light levels. Here's the thing: The A7S II does have less noise in low light, but even then, I'd rather use the GH5s (to a point). 06/14/2018: Performance posted The GH5S also offers 4K up to 60p and not only 4K UHD at 60p but also the wider Cinema 4K (4096x2160) resolution at 60p. Time to talk about that big red button. One thing I noticed is that vignetting became a bit apparent with certain lenses wide open, no doubt due to the slightly larger multi-aspect sensor—something to keep an eye on. Whereas the EVA1 has Dual ISOs of 800/2500, a quick test of the GH5S shows it to use 400/2500 for its Dual ISOs. I’m sure some of you are accustomed to it by now, but I felt that it was a bit complicated to figure out how to get certain settings properly engaged. You have until Feb 01, 2021 to return or exchange items bought after Oct 19, 2020. This trend continues up until neither camera is useful. Sensitivity tops out by default at ISO 51,200, where the GH5 had an upper limit of ISO 25,600. The image sensors used differ radically, with each camera focused on very different needs. The Panasonic GH5S is Still Among the ... Sigma Launches “I Series” with New 24mm, 35mm, and 65mm Mirrorless Lenses, Olympus Releases Lightweight Super-Telephoto Zoom Lens, ZEISS Adds to Premier Binocular Lineup with Impressive Victory SF 32, Hands-On with the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art Lens, What to Do With Your Old Camera? And the EVF still has 1.52x magnification (0.76x in 35mm-equivalent) with a 21mm eyepoint from the eyepiece, and a -4 to +3 diopter adjustment. In other words, DPR raves about low-light video with the GH5s, but I see the potential for stills too. I’d even argue that it could be better than many lower-end cinema cameras. It's more than just a capture device. I wouldn't consider this "good" footage. Flash enabled, Time from fully pressing shutter button to image capture. Whether everyone will see it that way is still a good question, considering the noticeable pushback on a camera without in-body stabilization. What is rare, however, is talking about one with reverence. On the new GH5S, Panasonic added some red embellishments to the camera that 1) look awesome (red is my favorite color, so I may be biased) and 2) quickly and effectively differentiate it from the GH5. Buffer clearing can be sluggish, though, even with a very fast 2000x UHS-II card, ranging from only 2.1 seconds after a long burst of JPEGs to over 21 seconds after a long burst of RAW+JPEG files. (Bear in mind that since it must keep the floating sensor centered and upright, an in-body IS system operates all of the time, even if to the end user stabilization appears to be "disabled". This is an excellent camera, and if you already were a fan of Panasonic, you'll find a lot to love in the GH5S. Though the GH5S offers a great many capture settings, it won't shoot in RAW video, it won't capture above 60p in 4K, and it's not set up physically to compete with a RED or an Alexa. At the other end of the scale, base sensitivity is ISO 160 and is expandable to ISO 80. In most other respects, the Panasonic GH5S looks a whole lot like the GH5 which preceded it. Panasonic GH5s Announced - No IBIS, Better low light, 10MP fewer pixels. Being able to feel comfortable up to ISO 25,600 in some cases basically makes it so I can shoot in any situation I have ever found myself. If you're wondering why Panasonic would remove the in-body stabilization, so were we. & Home App. If you need more performance, you can shoot in 4K Photo mode which will record an ultra-high def video at 60 fps, then allow you to extract frames at 8.3-megapixel resolution.