Update: GH5 Mk II .. What do we know now?
We now know more about the controversial GH-series release of the GH5 Mark II.. I’m starting to get why Panasonic is doing this.
Was I too scathing in my previous post about how ludicrous of a release this camera is? Maybe. However, with the recent announcement of the GH6, and some more detailed information about the GH5 Mk II, I’m starting to understand why Panasonic made this move. The GH5 is a legendary camera. It was the first camera in the consumer market to offer useable, beautiful 4k up to 60p all for under $2,000. At the time of release in 2017 this was an absolute pipe dream. How has it held up over the past four years? Pretty phenomenally.
Truth is, the GH5 is still one hell of a compact camera and a very reliable one at that. Sure, it has its caveats and some of them are addressed in this updated release, but for a majority of filmmakers and content creators the GH5 is a dream to work with. However, it’s still a 2017 camera, which would detour a lot of people in the market for their first (or next) mirrorless camera. The minor updates are just enough to warrant a new release, to remind everyone in the market that the GH5 is still a viable camera option for creating content.
After the announcement of the GH6, my feelings towards the GH5 Mk II changed. It’s priced very reasonably ($1,699) and is still an incredible tool. If you’re already in the Micro Four Third’s ecosystem I’d wait for the GH6. If you’re looking to get into hybrid shooting, especially if you’re videocentric, and want a reliable run and gun set up with relatively inexpensive lens options then this puts Panasonic back on your radar. DP Review recently got their hands on the GH5 Mk II and they did some interesting real world comparisons between the Mark II and its predecessor.
If you haven’t heard of DP Review check them out on YouTube and on their website. Fantastic place for everything camera related.
My biggest takeaway from their review is that there’s a new and updated processor taken from Panasonic’s full-frame S1H. The GH5 Mk II harnesses that computing power to improve the auto focus to a point where it’s still not “top class” but is nonetheless a welcoming improvement. Also I really like that they added an anti reflective coating to the surface of the sensor. As someone who shoots in variable conditions, sometimes my shots with heavy backlight seem to glow around my subject, but that glow is greatly reduced with this new coating. Another addition, albeit minor, is the screen is now brighter (at the expense of .2” of screen real estate) and has a 120hz refresh rate. This should make for a smoother experience while monitoring in bright daylight conditions that many find themselves in.
The most useful update to me is the ability to record 10bit 4K at 60p internally. In my last post I had a gripe with the chroma subsampling being limited to 4:2:0 but now that I know there will be a GH6, it just makes sense. Panasonic is saving the 4:2:2 color sampling in the 10bit 4K 60p mode for their “flagship” GH6. Regardless, you’re still getting 10bit tonality, albeit half the color data relative to 4:2:2 but it’s certainly upgraded from an 8 bit 4K 60p image. You still get a richer file than the GH5 with 1,024 tones versus 8 bit’s 256 tones. So I’ll take this as an overall positive.
Official List of New Features (source: the video coalition)
UHD or DCI 4K 10-bit 4:2:0 capture at up to 60p with no crop
UHD or DCI 4K 10-bit 4:2:2 capture at up to 30p with no crop
Image stabilization up to 6.5 stops
3.68M-dot EVF, with 0.76x magnification and up to 120Hz refresh
Live streaming options via Wi-Fi or smartphone (Full HD)
Anamorphic capture and support tools
Improved AF with face/eye/body detection
USB-C socket with PD-compatible power and charging
V-Log L included
3.0″ 1.84M-dot rear touchscreen
Why did Panasonic make this camera? I think they envision this to be a solid B-Cam to a future GH6. It’s a relatively cheap body, that’s very capable, and time tested as a reliable workhorse. The ISO still tops out around 3200 but if you’re looking to invest less in your camera body and more into lighting, then you can make the GH5 Mk II shine as an A-Cam! Will there be a GH5S Mk II or will we continue to see some major firmware updates, such as the new ability to record 12 Bit ProRes RAW to Ninja V recorders? Or will we just see the GH6S following the GH6 release? Only time will time my friends.
