The introduction on of Panasonic Lumix GH5S is big news in 2018, especially when Panasonic has been known as pioneer in introducing video-specialized mirrorless camera into the market. So, no wonder if after its release, many people were curious about what the company brings to this new camera, makes Panasonic Lumix GH5S Specification turned to be popular key words in several online search engines.
It was started by the popular GH1, which helps many low budget videographers creating their good video footage with large video-specialized camera sensor with autofocus, external microphone, and 1080p quality of course. And to follow the success of GI, Panasonic even added 4K video recording capability in the GH4 series, and improve it to be 10-bit 4K in GH5. Overall, the Panasonic GH series has made a big name in mirrorless videography camera.
The portfolio of Panasonic video-centric camera is continued. To be even more powerful in this very specific market, the Japanese camera manufacturer released their new camera called Panasonic Lumix GH5S with a highly-considered video capability. However, it’s important to be noted that this new GH5S exist not to replace the original GH5. But, looking at Panasonic’s approach on GH5S, we know that the camera is made as the companion of the GH5. So, how’s the Panasonic Lumix GH5S Specification really is? Below is the review of it.
Verdict: Panasonic Lumix GH5S Specification
Just like its predecessors, Panasonic Lumix GH5S is a video-oriented camera with Panasonic’s well known micro four-thirds sensor. But, the notable change in this GH edition, the company decides to lower the sensor resolution to be only 10.2 MP, which is around a half megapixel of the standard GH5. So, is this Panasonic Lumix GH5S Specification worth it?
Lowering sensor resolution may be a little bit odd especially when today’s cameras are fighting for higher megapixel sensor.
But in fact, it is not only shocking approach that Panasonic has made in his GH5S camera.
In the Panasonic Lumix GH5S Specification, we can see that the company doesn’t give In-Body Image Stabilization system in the camera as well, making some videographers a little bit worry about their video steadiness.
On the other side, we see several good things brought to in this camera. In its introduction, Panasonic also claims that that pairing it with “Dual Native ISO Technology”, the lower camera sensor can result on better footage, especially when it works in low light condition. And also, as a videography-version of the original Panasonic GH5, the GH5S has been featured with UHD or DCI 4K video in 60p recording capability. This 4K video is also shoot natively, means that one capture picture is equal to one output pixel.
Panasonic Lumix GH5S Design
Design is almost identical between GH5 and GH5S. The camera dimension is also relatively the same, which is 139 x 98 x 87 mm. As for the weight, Panasonic Lumix GH5S Specification lists that the GH5S has lighter weight than the GH5 itself, which is 660 g (including battery). This weight difference is possible due to the absence of 5-axis stabilization system in GH5S.
Moreover, just like GH5, the body of GH5S is constructed from metal construction with rubbery finish on most clad. This rubbery material makes the camera is not slippery and easier to handle. And for outdoor videographers, Panasonic manages the camera body to be already water-, dust- and freeze-proof. So, shooting outdoor will not be a problem anymore.
As for the design change, the most obvious minor change on the design is the bright red record button on the top plate of GH5S, channeling that this camera is specialized for recording videos.
Moving to the viewfinder, both GH5 and GH5S have the same electronic viewfinder system, which has 3.68-million-dot resolution. This viewfinder is bright and detail, and more importantly it has fast 120 fps refresh rate as well.
On the viewing aspect, Panasonic Lumix GH5S Specification informs that again, we can find the same articulating touchscreen LCD with 1.62-million-dot resolution on both GH5 and GH5S.
While on the front side, we can find a pleasing handgrip for easier handling. The dials are also well organized. There are several dedicated dials that’s used for drive and shooting modes, some adjustment wheels, and several function buttons on the top plate. All these dials organizations will make it easier to reach any setting that you want.
Panasonic Lumix GH5S Specification and Features
In the sensory side, the new Panasonic GH5S has CMOS sensor with 10.2 megapixels resolution. This is the sensor that is specifically designed to create DCI 4K with video resolution 4,096 x 2,160 pixels at 50/60 fps. This frame rate is actually the same frame rate with what we found on GH5. But, the resolution is very different as GH5 only able to create 3840 x 2160 resolution video. More interestingly, based on the Panasonic Lumix GH5S Specification, the GH5S doesn’t have limit in video recording time, which is good news for video makers.
Under the hood, the new Venus Engine 10 becomes the main processing unit to make sure that processing image and video will be fast with no significant lag.
But, one disappointing thing from this camera is the absence of in-body stabilization (IBS), which is the strong point of GH5.
Apparently, Panasonic has the different view about In Body Image Stabilization.
This is because most of the videographers don’t depend on the IB IS when they do handheld shooting.
Moreover, this decision is also taken considering that in some cases, IBS sometimes causes glitches, dollies, lags, and unwanted camera moves.
Another notable feature on Panasonic Lumix GH5S Specification is the introduction of dual native ISO. This is the feature that was firstly introduced in Panasonic GH5S. As explained by Panasonic, with Dual Native ISO, they put two capacitors on behind of each pixel, and each of these capacitors tunes the different ISO ranges that are “zero gain”. By this, the camera could provide good quality of dynamic range even if it works in Los ISO setting and reducing noise significantly at high ISO setting.
Panasonic Lumix GH5S Specification; Video Recording Capability
Goes to the main course, which is video recording capability, this camera is unbelievable. As stated before, Panasonic Lumix GH5S can record 4,096 x 2,160 video resolutions in 60 fps with 10-bit colors. It also able to record professional video with 4:2:2 color subsampling. For easier video editing, users can choose long-GOP format or MPEG-type codecs which can reach 150 Mbps. Or, there are also ALL-I and frame-by-frame video which can reach 400 Mbps.
Moreover, as explained in Panasonic Lumix GH5S Specification, this camera is also able to shoot HDR footage. This footage can be recorded in Hybrid Log Gamma Format up to 240fps. With this format, you can make a very delicate slow motion playback. Furthermore, you can also shoot in different aspect ratio without changing the focal length. The available vocal ratios are 3:2, 4:3, 16:9 and 17:9. With this wide range of video options, there is no other mirrorless camera could come close to it in term of video recording, including the new Sony’s A7R III or Nikon D850.
Panasonic Lumix GH5S Impression and Price
Looking at the Panasonic GH5S specification, we may feel a bit odd due to the sensor size, which is 10.2 MP only, which is a half of standard GH5 resolution. This approach seems very unique yet strange. And it’s like Panasonic asking customers to pay more bucks for less Mega Pixel camera. Even though it’s good for the video, because less pixel means bigger pixel size, but some people may not get it. And that’s why some of them prefer to choose standard GH5, especially when high MP number is still a trend now, just like what we see on some other brand’s flagships such as Sony, Canon, Nikon, and Fuji.
While for the good news, ISO compensation in this brand new camera is not a joke. As explained before, the ISO of this camera can reach ISO 51,200, which is twice greater than the standard GH5. This ISO capability is also including very minimum noise at high ISO setting, which should be good news for videographer to shoot movie in a very low light condition.
Overall, the Panasonic Lumix GH5S Specification is great for videographer. But if you want more overall camera not just a video-centric one, choosing GH5 may be the better option. Talking about price, Panasonic lumix GH5S is priced more than the standard GH5. To get it home, you need to pay around £2,200. Is this price worth enough for a 10.2 MP camera? You decide.
