Panasonic GH5 II Review at ePhotozine: Exceptional Video Quality & Recording Features

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ePhotozine published their full in-depth review for the Panasonic GH5 II mirrorless camera. The new 20.3MP Panasonic GH5 II mirrorless camera can offer exceptional video quality and recording features beyond what most would need, whilst also delivering great image quality.

Panasonic GH5 II Key Features:

  • 20.3MP Live MOS Sensor with AR Coating
  • DCI/UHD 4K 60p Video, 10-Bit Internal
  • Pre-Installed V-Log L, No Crop 4K Video
  • 6.5-Stop 5-Axis Dual I.S. 2
  • 0.76x 3.68m-Dot OLED Viewfinder
  • 3.0″ 1.84m-Dot Free-Angle Touchscreen
  • 225-Area DFD AF, Advanced Subject Detect
  • Livestream Video via Wi-Fi
  • 6K and 4K PHOTO Modes

Panasonic Lumix GH5 II Pros

  • IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilisation) Improved
  • Unlimited CINE 4K Video
  • High-speed video (up to 180fps)
  • Live streaming support
  • Great image quality
  • Dual SD card slots
  • Large, high-resolution EVF
  • Weather-sealed body
  • 410-1200 shot battery life (energy saver)

Panasonic Lumix GH5 II Cons

  • Quite large for a Micro Four Thirds camera
  • Others offer high-speed FullHD up to 240fps
  • Lack of true 6K video (sensor doesn’t have the resolution needed to provide this)
  • FullHD high-speed video is manual focus only

Panasonic GH5 II Verdict from ePHOTOzine:

Much of the GH5 II is the same or very similar, you get the same 20mp Micro Four Thirds sensor, with improved sensor-based 5-axis image stabilisation, combined with the lens’ optical image stabilisation, which gives benefits for both stills photography and video recording. You’ve also got 6K Photo, and you can shoot unlimited photos at 30fps, giving you 18-megapixel images. 4K Photo shoots unlimited photos at 60fps, although these are at a resolution of 8 megapixels.

Video improvements and live streaming are welcome, and will be exactly what some people are looking for.

Image quality from the camera is very good, with the camera producing pleasing images, with good levels of detail, and good colour. The use of a Micro Four Thirds sensor, which is smaller than APS-C CMOS sensors means that at high ISO settings noise performance isn’t as good as  APS-C or FF cameras, however, the camera does produce usable results up to ISO3200 and ISO6400. This is likely to be the case until Micro Four Thirds sensors make the next leap in sensor technology, to backside-illuminated sensors.

For some, the lack of phase-detection AF could be disappointing, and there are times when continuous AF will hunt or wobble when recording video.

The GH5 II offers a list of video features and specifications beyond what most people need, but the headline features are that the camera can record unlimited 4K video, with higher quality recording possible internally, without the need of an external recorder, plus Live Streaming support (at up to FullHD resolution).

The Micro Four Thirds system is ideally suited to 4K video, as the compact range of lenses means the system is much smaller than if you were to use a full-frame (or APS-C) DSLR for 4K video recording. High-speed FullHD video recording is also available at up to 180fps.

If CINE 4K is something you need, or you do any video, then the 5-axis image stabilisation system will help here, dramatically improving the stability (and professional look) of your videos, without the need of a tripod, and this gives the GH5 II (and other cameras with in-camera IS) an advantage over most DSLRs.

You also benefit from a very good electronic viewfinder (EVF), which features a high resolution of 3.68m dots, and the magnification is good at 0.76x. This makes using the EVF a pleasure, with impressive levels of detail visible. The 3.0inch touch-screen is also very good, letting you quickly change settings and options. Battery life can be extended to 1200 shots with energy-saving options switched on.

If you’re a stills photographer primarily, then the Panasonic Lumix G9 or Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III could be a better choice. Then there are also a variety of APS-C cameras available with higher resolution on offer, from Sony, Canon, and Fujifilm.

If you do any form of video work, then the Panasonic Lumix GH5 II will be an obvious choice.

If you shoot video then the GH5 II is a great choice, assuming you don’t already have the GH5, and assuming you can’t wait to see what the GH6 is going to offer. If you don’t need higher speed video (4K 120fps: Canon EOS R5, Sony Alpha A7S III, or 8K: Canon EOS R5, Sony Alpha 1), then the GH5 II is a great choice, and is also considerably cheaper than these alternatives. If you don’t need live streaming, then the GH5 is likely to be great value for money while still available, but if you’re looking for live streaming, then the GH5 II is a great choice.

Panasonic GH5 II body: $1,697.99 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama.

Panasonic GH5 II with 12-60mm f/2.8-4 Lens: $2,297.99 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama.

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