Panasonic Lumix GH5 II Evaluation

Introduction

Ease of Use

Measuring 138.5 x 98.1 x 87.4mm and weighing 647g physique solely, the Panasonic Lumix GH5 II is similar in each dimension and weight to the unique GH5 mannequin that it succeeds.

The GH5 II’s physique is made out of magnesium alloy, with a full die-cast entrance and rear body. Each joint, dial, and button is sealed to make sure that the GH5 II is splash/dust-proof and in addition freeze-proof all the way down to -10 levels Celsius.

The digital camera has a shutter launch lifetime of 200,000 pictures. As with the unique mannequin, this is likely one of the most well-constructed Panasonic cameras that we have ever reviewed, and may stand as much as some critical abuse.

The GH5 II ships both physique solely, with the Panasonic 12-60mm f3.5-5.6 lens, or with the superb Leica 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 lens that we reviewed it with.

Whereas the physique of the GH5 II is comparable in dimension and weight to a mid-range APS-C DSLR digital camera, the lenses are the place Panasonic have actually shrunk the general system. Given the quick most apertures on provide, the Leica 12-60mm optic is comparatively small and light-weight, and delivers nice picture high quality while being quick to focus and utterly silent, good for video use.

The Lumix GH5 II is appropriate with the present DMW-BGGH5 battery grip, which homes an additional battery to increase the general battery life. The DMW-BGGH5 grip shares the identical splash / dustproof design because the GH5 II physique.

Panasonic have considerably upgraded the picture stabilisation system on the GH5 II. The 5-axis Twin I.S. MK II system incorporates gyro-sensor expertise to mix the 2-axis stabilisation from the lens (if it has OIS built-in) and 5-axis stabilisation from the digital camera physique, leading to compensation for as much as 6.5-stops slower shutter velocity, which is 1.5 stops higher than the GH5.

Not like a standard DSLR digital camera which makes use of a section detection auto-focus system, the Panasonic Lumix GH5 II employs a 225-point Distinction AF system, much like that generally utilized by compact cameras.

The GH5 II nonetheless has one of many quickest AF techniques of any interchangeable lens digital camera, although, be {that a} compact system digital camera or a DSLR, with a claimed velocity of simply 0.05 seconds when used with sure lenses due to the inclusion of DFD (Depth from Defocus) expertise, which additional shortens the time to set focus.

That is extremely fast, and there have been additionally virtually no events when the GH5 II did not lock onto the topic, particularly when utilizing the centre AF level, leading to a responsive and importantly dependable AF system.

New to the GH5 II are the Human Detect AF and Animal Recognition autofocusing algorithims which were inherited from the full-frame Lumix S5 digital camera. There are a variety of AF modes on provide, together with Human/Animal Detect, Monitoring, 225-Space, Zone (Vert/Horz), Zone (Oval), 1-Space+, 1-Space and Pinpoint.

On the entrance of the Panasonic Lumix GH5 II is a small focus-assist and self-timer indicator lamp, lens launch button, customisable unmarked Function6 button, steel lens mount, flash sync socket and a sculpted, rubberised hand-grip that is very nice to make use of.

By default the Fn6 button cleverly toggles between exhibiting a stay preview of the consequences of the present aperture (successfully a digital model of Depth of Area Preview) and the present shutter velocity. The latter will show particularly helpful for newbies, offering a visual means of checking how completely different shutter speeds will have an effect on the seize of various topics – operating water is an efficient instance.

Nearly all of the GH5 II’s exterior is matt black plastic, with the handgrip, right-hand and left-hand corners completed in a extra tactile rubberised coating.

Discovered on high of the Panasonic GH5 II are the burst mode/6K photograph/bracketing/self-timer/time-lapse dial on the left, exterior flash hotshoe, stereo microphones, lockable capturing mode dial surrounded by the on/off swap, shutter launch button, entrance management dial, white stability, ISO and publicity compensation buttons, a customisable Photograph Kinds button and a big one-touch film file button that is now completely crimson. There’s additionally a tiny LED to point if wi-fi is on or off or if USB charging is in operation.

The row of white stability, ISO and publicity compensation buttons make it extraordinarily straightforward to entry the digital camera’s key publicity controls, whereas the twin management dials make it straightforward to make use of the absolutely Guide capturing mode.

The GH5 II has each a standard mechanical shutter and a silent digital shutter, which in addition to not spooking your topic ensures that your topic is totally sharp by avoiding pixel shifting. The Delay Shutter possibility helps to take away the impact of hand-shake by releasing the shutter after a specified time (8, 4, 2 or 1 seconds).

The beginning-up time from turning the Lumix GH5 II on to being able to take a photograph is impressively fast at lower than a second. It takes about 1/2 second to retailer a JPEG picture, permitting you to maintain capturing as they’re being recorded onto the reminiscence card – there isn’t a perceptible LCD blackout between every picture. Storing a single RAW picture takes round 1 second and does not lock up the digital camera in any means – you should use the menu system or shoot one other picture whereas the primary file is being written to reminiscence.

The Panasonic Lumix GH5 II has a wonderful Burst mode which lets you take 12 frames per second with the main focus and publicity locked on the first body or 7.5fps with AF monitoring. The GH5M2 can now shoot repeatedly for as much as 999 JPEG pictures on the highest picture high quality or 108 RAW information, in comparison with 600 JPEG and 60 RAWs for the GH5.

The standard capturing mode dial helps you to select from the completely different publicity modes. The standard collection of Program, Aperture Precedence, Shutter Precedence, and Guide can be found for the extra skilled photographers.

Moreover there are 4 customized modes, marked C1, C2, C3 and C4, which let you configure your favorite settings and shortly entry them, Clever Auto for much less skilled customers, and the Inventive Film mode which supplies entry to all the digital camera’s in depth vary of video choices.

The Panasonic Lumix GH5 II’s vary of twenty-two completely different filter results, which had been denoted by an artist’s palette on the GH5’s capturing mode dial, however at the moment are solely accessible by way of the primary menu system (successfully changed by the C4 mode). There are additionally 11 completely different customisable Photograph Kinds which nonetheless permit full management of the digital camera’s settings.

The crimson film file button on the highest, as you’d count on, lets you begin recording a film with a single push of a button after which cease recording by urgent the identical button, no matter which capturing mode is at present chosen. This can be a lot extra intuitive than having to pick out the film mode then press the shutter button, though you’ll be able to nonetheless begin/cease film recording by way of the GH5 II’s shutter button if you want.

The Inventive Film capturing mode, accessed by way of the mode dial on high of the GH5 II, lets you set the shutter velocity, aperture or each settings manually throughout recording (a Program possibility can be obtainable). Altering the shutter velocity is very appropriate for capturing fast-moving topics, while the power to regulate the aperture is handy when there are a number of topics at completely different distances.

The Panasonic Lumix GH5 II has a plethora of film choices, making it one of the full-featured interchangeable lens cameras available on the market by way of video. It principally provides inner 10-bit 4:2:0 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) at as much as 60fps with a bitrate of 150Mbps. Cinema 4K can be obtainable in 10 bit 4:2:2 at as much as 30fps, as is Anamorphic recording as much as 60fps with the choice of picture stabilisation.

Against this, the GH5 can solely internally file 4:2:0 4K at 50/60fps fee in 8-bit, though each fashions are equally able to outputting 4K 60p 10 bit in 4:2:2 to an exterior recorder.

The GH5 II makes use of the complete space of the sensor to file then downsamples it in-camera, which implies that your framing will not be cropped when composing.

The GH5 II is likely one of the few cameras that is not geographically restricted, as you’ll be able to select from each NTSC and PAL settings, so that you get the complete vary of body charges no matter the place you purchased the digital camera. It is also able to recording repeatedly for an infinite time in any mode till your reminiscence card is full.

One other attraction is the power to output a 10-bit 4:2:0 sign by way of HDMI and file it internally on the identical time. You’ll be able to set the luminance degree for 10-bit seize (0-1023, 64-940 or 64-1023), and the flat V-Log L profile is now pre-installed on the digital camera relatively than being a pricey improve as on the GH5.

New Cinelike D2 / Cinelike V2 profiles have been inherited by the GH5 II from the flagship full-frame S1H video digital camera, in addition to new video capturing help features which embody a body indicator (crimson for video and blue for stay streaming), body markers, vertical place data, luminance spot metering, and the power to filter the varied Rec High quality setting choices and register often used combos for fast recall.

The Variable Body Price possibility lets you set the video body fee from 2fps to 180fps whereas recording Full HD video. Obtainable for each JPEG images and films, the EX Tele Conversion possibility extends the focal size hooked up lens by 2x for nonetheless pictures, by 1.4x for 4K/UHD video recording, and a pair of.7x for 1080p with none lack of picture high quality.

The Focus Transition software lets you create three focus factors, between which the GH5 II mechanically shifts the main focus at a relentless velocity. There is a alternative of 5 completely different speeds, and you’ll select whether or not to begin the transition instantly when recording begins or add a 5 or 10 second delay.

Dolby-quality stereo sound is recorded throughout video seize by way of the inner mics on high of the digital camera, which is an enormous enchancment on the relatively muffled noises recorded by most digital cameras, helped by the wind reduce perform which blocks out many of the noise from background wind.

You can even add the elective DMW-XLR1 XLR microphone adapter which attaches by way of the hotshoe and provides two XLR audio inputs with bodily switches and dials for altering the degrees, acquire, and low reduce filter of every enter individually.

Stay streaming is maybe the largest new function that has been launched on the GH5M2. The GH5M2 is able to wi-fi stay streaming in 1080/60p at 16Mbps by way of the LUMIX Sync smartphone app, or by connecting on to a Wi-Fi router.

For stay Wired USB-LAN IP Streaming (FWUP), the devoted LUMIX Webcam Software program is on the market without cost obtain. As well as, the brand new digital camera will obtain a future firmware replace later in 2021 so as to add RTP/RTSP wired IP streaming.

In distinction, the older GH5 provides no stay streaming capabilities of any type.

On the rear of the Lumix GH5 II is the three inch OLED display with 100% scene protection, smaller than the one on the GH5 however crucially providing extra decision. The rotating, free-angle monitor, which is hinged on the left facet of the digital camera (trying from the rear), might be flipped out and twisted by 270 levels.

You should utilize the display as a waist-level viewfinder, holding the digital camera overhead, and even for turning the GH5 II on your self for arm-length self-portraits. There’s additionally the additional advantage of folding the display away towards the digital camera physique to guard it when saved in a digital camera bag, stopping it from turning into marked or scratched.

The 1,840K pixel display provides a wider color gamut and brightness that has been improved by 150% in comparison with the unique GH5.

The Auto Energy LCD perform mechanically detects the present lighting circumstances and boosts the LCD backlighting by as much as 40% when capturing outside in brilliant sunshine, serving to to maintain the display seen. The helpful degree gauge signifies the 2 instructions of horizontal lean and entrance/rear tilt.

The Panasonic Lumix GH5 II inherits the GH5’s intelligent touchscreen interface. Panasonic have properly restricted the quantity of issues that you are able to do by interacting with the display, and certainly you’ll be able to nonetheless function every thing on the digital camera with out having to push and prod the LCD in any respect.

You’d be lacking out on a number of genuinely helpful performance, although, which actually improves the general capturing expertise. A intelligent function referred to as Touchpad AF lets you transfer the main focus level space together with your finger on the LCD whilst you’re trying by the EVF.

Probably the most instantly noticeable perform is the power to make use of the 1-area AF mode to focus in your essential topic just by touching it on the LCD. If the topic then strikes, the Panasonic Lumix GH5 II cleverly follows it across the display utilizing the the AF monitoring perform. If the topic exits the body completely, merely recompose and faucet it once more to begin focusing. Spectacular stuff that makes specializing in off-center topics quick and intuitive.

It’s a little too straightforward to by chance press the display and set the main focus level to the unsuitable space for the present topic, however a easy faucet in the midst of the LCD will middle the AF level (or you’ll be able to flip this function off altogether). The scale of the AF level itself can be modified by way of an interactive onscreen slider.

Should you favor to manually focus relatively than use the quick AF system, you’ll be able to amplify any a part of the topic by 1x, 5x or 10x by merely dragging the picture across the display. The ultimate touchscreen capability from a picture composition perspective is the power to launch the shutter, with a small icon on the appropriate hand display enabling this performance, after which a single on-screen faucet all that is required to take the image.

All the menu choices might be modified by way of the touchscreen interface, together with the Essential menu system. You can even management picture playback by touching the display, with the power to faucet a thumbnail to see the full-size model, scroll by your pictures by dragging them backward and forward, and magnifying them as much as 16x.

The Panasonic GH5 II has a really barely improved digital viewfinder. The OLED unit has a big 1.52x (0.76x on 35mm equiv.) magnification, 100% subject of view, 1000:1 distinction ratio and three,680K-dot decision, leading to among the best EVFs that we have ever used. The EVF (and in addition the primary LCD display) now operates at a local fee of as much as 120fps, twice as quick because the GH5, which helps make it flicker-free.

There are three 6K Photograph features – 6K Burst Taking pictures, 6K Burst (Begin/Cease) and 6K Pre-burst – which all file steady 18 megapixel stills at a 30fps capturing fee. 6K Burst lets you repeatedly file 18 megapixel pictures at 30fps, 6K Pre-Burst does the identical however for one second previous to and one second after urgent the shutter button so as, supplying you with 60 frames to select from, and 6K Burst (S/S) lets you playback your video, pause on the chosen second, and use the shutter button to mark a selected body from the video and reserve it as a single 18 megapixel body. The GH5 II additionally provides the identical possibility for 4K Photograph, which doubles the seize velocity to 60fps however lowers the efficient decision to eight megapixels.

The Put up Focus mode lets you take a collection of images all with a distinct focus level, after which select your most popular one after you’ve got captured the shot. This may be extra helpful for some topics than others, for instance with macro it’s an excellent concept. Focus Stacking lets you take a number of pictures with completely different aperture values, then mix them right into a single picture and select how a lot of the topic is in focus, once more excellent news for macro photographers.

The Panasonic Lumix GH5 II additionally has a time lapse perform in which you’ll set the time interval and the variety of pictures to take, plus a multi-exposure possibility that permits you to mix as much as 4 exposures in a single body, whereas the Cease Movement Animation mode lets you create distinctive cease movement movies.

The Wi-Fi perform (802.11ac) helps you to use your smartphone to vary the digital camera settings (focus setting, publicity compensation, ISO, WB and Photograph Kinds) and even hearth the shutter button remotely (together with interval video recordings), whereas the auto switch perform mechanically backs up your images onto a pill. You can even use GPS information out of your smartphone to file the capturing location onto your pictures. The Bluetooth possibility establishes a low-energy, everlasting connection between the digital camera and a wise machine for simpler switch of pictures.

On the rear of the Panasonic Lumix GH5 II, from left to proper, is a Playback button, an LVF button for manually switching between the 2 viewing strategies (helpful in case you flip the attention sensor off) which can be configured because the Fn5 button, conveniently positioned AF On button (rather than the shared AF/AE Lock button on the GH5) which is surrounded by the AF Sort swap, the rear management dial, which is used for, amongst different issues, altering the aperture and shutter velocity by turning from left to proper and again once more, and a thumb-controlled joystick. This lets you shortly and simply choose the AF level with out taking your eyes off the topic and is a really helpful inclusion.

Beneath are the Fast Menu/Fn2, Fn3/AF Mode and Show buttons. In capturing mode, the Show button alternates between turning the show off, the primary digital camera settings as icons, no settings in any respect, and an Information Show which reveals the present key settings in a transparent graphical format. You’ll be able to moreover press the Q.Menu button after which use the navigation pad to maneuver between the onscreen choices.

The Q.Menu button supplies fast entry to many of the principal controls, together with ISO velocity, picture dimension, picture high quality and white stability (there are 16 settings in complete, relying upon the capturing mode chosen). You’ll be able to nonetheless entry all of those choices from the primary menu system too.

The Panasonic Lumix GH5 II has a standard 4-way navigation pad system with a round scroll wheel and Menu/Set button within the centre. Not like different G-series cameras, the 4 instructions on the d-pad haven’t got a particular perform, aside from to maneuver by and choose choices, playback pictures and so forth. The round scroll wheel may accomplish most of the identical issues. The Delete button beneath the navigation pad doubles up because the Fn4 button.

The primary menu system on the GH5 II could be very clear and straight-forward to make use of and is accessed by urgent the Menu/Set button in the midst of the navigation pad. There are as much as 6 essential menus represented by a column of icons on the left of the display, relying on which capturing mode you are at present utilizing, which then present as much as 7 sub-menus every exhibiting 8 choices onscreen without delay.

On the underside of the Panasonic Lumix GH5 II is a steel tripod socket, importantly in-line with the center of the lens barrel, and the battery compartment housing the brand new DMW-BLK22 battery, and on the appropriate facet are the Distant port and the twin and SD/SDHC/SDXC reminiscence card slots.

On the left is the Distant/Mic socket to be used with the elective distant shutter launch or 3.5mm exterior microphone, and three connection ports, together with a port for exterior headphones (once more 3.5mm in dimension), and a really welcome full-sized HDMI port for connecting the GH5 II to a HD tv or monitor.

Picture High quality

All the pattern pictures on this evaluate had been taken utilizing the 20M High quality JPEG picture dimension possibility, which supplies a mean picture dimension of round 8Mb.

The Panasonic Lumix GH5 II produced pictures of excellent high quality through the evaluate interval. It produces noise-free pictures at ISO 100 to 1600, with restricted noise beginning to seem at ISO 3200. ISO 6400 and 12800 exhibit fairly seen noise and lack of advantageous element, whereas the quickest setting of 25600 appears to be like significantly better on paper than in actuality.

The varied Photograph Kinds and Filters mean you can shortly and simply customise the look of the digital camera’s JPEG pictures earlier than you’re taking them, whereas the Clever D-range mode extracts a bit of extra element out of the shadow and spotlight areas. The evening {photograph} was glorious, with the utmost shutter velocity of 60 seconds permitting you to seize loads of gentle.

Noise

There are 9 ISO settings obtainable on the Panasonic Lumix GH5 II which you’ll choose at any time if the digital camera is in one of many inventive capturing modes. Listed below are some 100% crops which present the noise ranges for every ISO setting for each JPEG and RAW codecs.

JPEG	RAW
ISO 100 (100% Crop)	ISO 100 (100% Crop)
ISO 200 (100% Crop)	ISO 200 (100% Crop)
ISO 400 (100% Crop)	ISO 400 (100% Crop)
ISO 800 (100% Crop)	ISO 800 (100% Crop)
ISO 1600 (100% Crop)	ISO 1600 (100% Crop)
ISO 3200 (100% Crop)	ISO 3200 (100% Crop)
ISO 6400 (100% Crop)	ISO 6400 (100% Crop)
ISO 12800 (100% Crop)	ISO 12800 (100% Crop)
ISO 25600 (100% Crop)	ISO 25600 (100% Crop)

File High quality

The Panasonic Lumix GH5 II has 2 completely different JPEG picture high quality settings obtainable, with High quality being the very best high quality possibility. Listed below are some 100% crops which present the standard of the varied choices, with the file dimension proven in brackets.

High quality (8.6Mb) (100% Crop)	Regular (4.11Mb) (100% Crop)
RAW (23.1Mb) (100% Crop)

Night time

The Panasonic Lumix GH5 II’s most shutter velocity is 60 seconds and there is additionally a Bulb possibility for exposures as much as half-hour lengthy, which is good news in case you’re severely fascinated by evening images. The shot under was taken utilizing a shutter velocity of 30 seconds at ISO 100. The digital camera takes the identical period of time once more to use noise discount, so for instance on the 15 second setting the precise publicity takes 30 seconds.

Photograph Kinds

Panasonic’s Photograph Kinds, much like Nikon’s Image Kinds, Canon’s Image Controls and Olympus’ Image Modes, are preset combos of various sharpness, distinction, saturation and noise discount settings. The 15 obtainable Photograph Kinds are proven under within the following collection, which demonstrates the variations. There are additionally 4 Customized choices so as to create your personal appears to be like.

Customary

Vivid

Pure

L.ClassicNeo

Flat

Panorama

Portrait

Monochrome

L.Monochrome

L.Monochrome D

L.Monochrome S

Cinelike D2

Cinelike V2

Like709

V-Log L

Filter Results

The Panasonic Lumix GH5 II has an in depth vary of digital filter results, denoted by an artist’s palette within the capturing mode menu, with 22 completely different choices on provide.

Expressive

Retro

Previous Days

Excessive Key

Low Key

Sepia

Monochrome

Dynamic Monochrome

Tough Monochrome

Silky Monochrome

Spectacular Artwork

Excessive Dynamic

Cross Course of

Toy Impact

Toy Pop

Bleach Bypass

Miniature

Mushy Focus

Fantasy

Star Filter

One Level Coloration

Sunshine

Put up Focus and Focus Stacking

Put up Focus is a perform that allows customers to pick out the in-focus space after capturing just by touching it on the LCD display. The primary three pictures present the consequences of switching between the three reminiscence playing cards.

The Put up Focus Stacking perform allows customers to take a number of pictures of the identical body with completely different areas in focus, then mix all or chosen focus areas into one picture. The fourth picture under reveals the impact of merging the primary three pictures into one stacked picture.

Clever Dynamic Vary

The Panasonic Lumix GH5 II’s Clever Dynamic function adjusts the publicity setting to file extra element within the highlights and shadows, with three strengths obtainable – low, customary and excessive.

A number of Publicity

Within the A number of Publicity mode the Panasonic Lumix GH5 II combines a number of frames to create a single picture.

Pattern Photos

This can be a collection of pattern pictures from the Panasonic Lumix GH5 II digital camera, which had been all taken utilizing the 20 megapixel High quality JPEG setting. The thumbnails under hyperlink to the full-sized variations, which haven’t been altered in any means.

Pattern RAW Photos

The Panasonic Lumix GH5 II allows customers to seize RAW and JPEG format information. We have supplied some Panasonic RAW (RW2) samples so that you can obtain (thumbnail pictures proven under usually are not 100% consultant).

Pattern Films & Video

Product Photos

Conclusion

The brand new Lumix GH5 II is a relatively modest refresh of the unique GH5 that is designed to maintain the collection related in 2021 and pique the curiosity of recent customers, relatively than persuade present GH5 homeowners to improve.

With the upcoming GH6 already pre-announced and on the close to horizon, you could be questioning why Panasonic have even bothered with the GH5 II. In any case, the unique GH5 was one among their best-selling cameras of all time and even to today stays a mannequin that has plenty of enchantment for hybrid stills and videographers.

Clearly forward of its time in a number of methods, the GH5 stays an excellent purchase even a full 4 years after its launch again in 2017, a lot in order that in case you’ll by no means use the Mark II’s essential new function, Stay Streaming, the unique digital camera remains to be greater than price monitoring down on sale.

Having stated that, stay streaming alone will likely be sufficient to show the heads of some customers, because the GH5 II is at present one of many solely cameras that helps it with out having to make use of a pc to take action. Having the ability to wirelessly stream direct from the GH5 II to YouTube or an RTMP appropriate platform by way of a cellular or a Wifi hotspot definitely frees you up.

The opposite new options are extra nice-to-haves relatively than must-haves – the smaller however larger decision LCD display and the bigger battery have presumably been launched due to elements availability within the provide chain, whereas the brand new processor permits for Lumix S5-series ranges of auto-focusing and video choices which might be nice to see.

With help for USB-C charging, improved picture stabilisation and a now free V-Log L profile, these comparatively small modifications do add as much as undoubtedly make the GH5 II a “higher” digital camera than its predecessor, helped in no small half by a cheaper price tag on launch than the GH5 loved.

Total, while it could not provide any earth-shattering new options or improvements (they’re presumably reserved for the GH6), the GH5 Mark II stays a well-thought-out, complete hybrid video/nonetheless digital camera, identical to its predecessor, which on condition that we appreciated it a lot first time round is a excessive accolade certainly.

Essential Rivals

Listed under are a few of the rivals of the Panasonic Lumix GH5 II.

Evaluation Roundup

Critiques of the Panasonic Lumix GH5 II from across the internet.

Specs

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