Panasonic Lumix GH5S Review
We've aggregated 3 high-signal reviews and 1 live retailer price below.
Our editorial take on the Panasonic Lumix GH5S
The Panasonic Lumix GH5S is a specialized video-first camera that trades resolution for low-light performance and high frame rate capabilities. With a 10.2MP sensor featuring dual native ISOs at 400 and 2500, it delivers exceptional image quality in dim conditions while maintaining Panasonic's renowned 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording. Reviewers consistently praise its video quality as best-in-class for the era, with DCI 4K recording at 60p, unlimited recording time, and bitrates up to 400 Mbps. The inclusion of anamorphic modes, V-Log L, and timecode sync positions it firmly as a professional cinema tool.
The GH5S sacrifices in-body stabilization to reduce rolling shutter and improve high ISO performance, a trade that makes sense for gimbal and tripod work but limits handheld flexibility. Its magnesium alloy body is weather-sealed and well-built, with dual UHS-II card slots and comprehensive I/O including full-size HDMI and professional audio jacks. Reviewers note it handles well and offers solid battery life for a mirrorless camera. While its 10MP sensor is limiting for stills work and the lack of IBIS will frustrate hybrid shooters, the GH5S remains a compelling option for dedicated videographers who prioritize low-light capability and pro video features over photography versatility.
- Exceptional low-light video quality with dual native ISO design
- DCI 4K 60p internal recording with 10-bit 4:2:2 and up to 400 Mbps bitrate
- Unlimited recording time with comprehensive video tools including V-Log L and anamorphic modes
- Robust magnesium alloy build with weather sealing and dual UHS-II card slots
- Reduced rolling shutter compared to GH5
- No in-body image stabilization limits handheld shooting flexibility
- 10.2MP resolution is inadequate for serious still photography
- Micro Four Thirds sensor size presents depth-of-field and crop-factor trade-offs
Synthesized by Geared editors from aggregated expert reviews.
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Editorial reviews
Overall conclusion. The GH5S produces the best quality video of any camera we've ever tested, with its high bitrate, high bit-depth footage ...
The Panasonic GH5s is good for travel photography. It isn't especially portable, but it has an excellent battery life and feels very comfortable ...
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 ...
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About this product
10.2MP low-light; dual native ISO.
Specs
- Battery
- DMW-BLF19, 440 shots (rear monitor), 410 shots (EVF)
- Weight Grams
- 660 g (body with battery and card)
- Dimensions Mm
- 138.5 x 98.1 x 87.4 mm
- Build Material
- Magnesium alloy
- Weather Sealing
- Yes, splash and dust-proof, freezeproof to 14°F (-10°C)
- Bit Depth
- 10-bit 4:2:2
- Raw Video
- External, 12-bit via HDMI
- Log Profiles
- V-Log L, Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG)
- Internal Codecs
- AVCHD, MOV, MP4
- Max Frame Rate 4k
- DCI 4K 60p
- Max Frame Rate Hd
- 1080/240p
- Max Video Bitrate
- 400 Mbps
- Max Recording Time
- Unlimited
- Max Video Resolution
- DCI 4K (4096 x 2160)
- Photo Styles
- Standard, Vivid, Natural, Monochrome, Scenery, Portrait, Custom, Cinelike D, Cinelike V
- Remote Input
- 2.5mm sub-mini
- 4k Photo Mode
- Yes, 8 MP at 60 fps or 30 fps
- Raw Bit Depth
- 14-bit
- Time Code Sync
- Yes, via BNC conversion cable
- Anamorphic Mode
- Yes, 4K Anamorphic
- Flash Sync Speed
- 1/250 s
- Multi Aspect Ratio
- Yes (4:3, 17:9, 16:9, 3:2)
- Variable Frame Rate
- Yes, up to 2.5x slower in 4K, 7.5x slower in FHD
- Rolling Shutter Reduction
- 1.3x less than GH5
- Sensor Size
- Micro Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm)
- Sensor Type
- Digital Live MOS
- Image Processor
- Venus Engine
- Low Pass Filter
- No
- Effective Megapixels
- 10.28 MP
- Announced Date
- January 2018
- Launch Price Usd
- $2497.99
- Dual Native Iso
- Yes (ISO 400 and ISO 2500)
- Iso Range Video
- Native: 160 to 51200
- Iso Range Stills
- Native: 160 to 51200, Extended: 80 to 204800
- Continuous Shooting
- 12 fps (AF-S), 8 fps (AF-C)
- Shutter Speed Electronic
- 1/16000 s
- Shutter Speed Mechanical
- 1/8000 s
- Viewfinder
- OLED, 3.68m-dot, 0.76x magnification
- Rear Screen
- 3.2", 1.62m-dot, free-angle articulating touchscreen LCD
- Touchscreen
- Yes
- Lens Mount
- Micro Four Thirds
- Crop Factor
- 2.0x
- Usb
- USB-C 3.0/3.1/3.2 Gen 1
- Hdmi
- Full-size HDMI Type A
- Audio Io
- 3.5mm stereo mic input, 3.5mm stereo headphone output
- Wireless
- Wi-Fi (5 GHz), NFC, Bluetooth 4.2 Low Energy
- Card Slots
- 2x SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II)
- Ibis
- No
- Af Points
- 225
- Af System
- Depth-From-Defocus (DFD)
- Af Low Light
- -5 EV
- Subject Detection
- Yes, subject tracking by color, size, and motion vectors
Where to buy
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- B&H Photonew● In stockBest price$2,098Buy
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