GH5s Firmware v2.0 releases tonight!
The Panasonic GH5s gets UNLOCKED with this major firmware update!
Old Camera, New Tricks
Panasonic is feeling generous with a major firmware update that should maintain the GH5s as a stronger contender in the marketplace. If you’re a Micro Four Thirds video shooter, like myself, then you know how capable of a camera the GH5s already is. Being released as videocentric model with a low megapixel sensor, dual gain ISO and better color rendering, it has the edge over it’s older hybrid brother, the GH5.
After seeing Blackmagic Design use the same sensor in their Pocket Cinema 4K camera, a lot of Panasonic users were scratching their heads as to why we were limited to 10-bit H.264 files when the Pocket 4K could output 12-bit Pro Res to an SSD via USB-C. It’s a big reason why many people browsing in the $2,000 price range went with Blackmagic over Panasonic. Now, three years after it’s release, Panasonic is giving us the full potential of the sensors 12-bit color depth in RAW format over HDMI.
This isn’t new. It’s been utilized on their cinema cube MFT body BGH-1 as well as cameras in their full frame line such as the videocentric S1H. Bear in mind that you’ll need to use an external recorder, specifically the Atomos Ninja V if you want ProRes RAW. On top of that, you’ll be chewing through data and hard drive space if you want to hold on to your raw footage. On the positive you get a smooth codec that will playback well in most NLE’s and you gain about 3,072 color and luminance values adding lots of latitude when color correcting your files. Now the GH5s is back in the conversation for a lot of Indie Filmmakers looking for that high quality low light footage.
OH! Can’t forget that they’re promising improved AF performance as well. The updated algorithms I imagine will be the same that come loaded into the GH5 Mark II., which touts 2x faster human recognition and 5x time animal recognition. Although not stellar, AF firmware updates are always welcome in my book. Download the update below and read everything Panasonic has promised in this update. Note: Update releases 9pm EST on June 8, 2021
Download Firmware v2.0 for GH5s
Official Firmware Update from Panasonic
1. Improved AF performance
- It can detect the eyes / face at a 2x faster recognition cycle speed and human / animal at a 5x faster recognition cycle speed. These subjects can be detected even they appear in approximately half the size.
*Comparison between before and after updating the firmware.
- Tracking and recognition performance of AF have been improved with an addition of head recognition.
- Human/Animal recognition can be set ON or OFF when the AF mode is set to [1-Area].
2. RAW video data output over HDMI function
-The Apple ProRes RAW can be recorded on Atomos NINJA V.
- [4K] / [Anamorphic (4:3) 3.7K] 12-bit RAW video data can be output over HDMI.
4K (4096x2160) 12 bit 17:9 Ratio
23.98p/25.00p/29.97p/50p/59.94p
Anamorphic3.7K (3680X2760) 12 bit 4:3 Ratio
23.98p/25.00p/29.97p/50p/59.94p
･A LUT (Lookup table) exclusively designed for RAW video recorded on NINJA V is available on the following customer support website to make the same color grading as V-Log/V-Gamut. It is easy to match colors between the footages recorded with Panasonic Varicam, EVA1 cameras to combine them. https://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/lut/s1h_raw_lut/index.html
*Atomos Ninja V Ver.10.66 will be required to support the RAW video data output function of the LUMIX GH5S.
*Software that supports Apple ProRes RAW is required to edit RAW video recorded with Ninja V.
*All functions may not be available depending on the situation.
3. Added video functions
- [Red REC Frame Indicator] function has been added.
- It is possible to play back vertical videos vertically. - Users can choose to add or not to add camera orientation information in [Vertical Position Info (Video)] menu to prevent unintended image rotation in playback.
- [Video Guide Line] function has been upgraded with more options.
4. Other added functions
- [Power Save Mode] can be selectable while the camera is powered with an AC adaptor (DMW-AC10, sold separately)
Final Thoughts
The Panasonic GH5s is going to maintain it’s place as the top of the line MFT camera for shooting video. If rumors are true that the GH6 will release in Q4 of 2021 then we won’t expect a GH6s (if they continue with the trend) for at least a year after. I imagine that the GH6 will still suffer in low-light and an updated GH6s will be limited to 4K but boast super clean low light at higher framerates and bit depths.
