Panasonic Lumix GH5 M2: New Micro Four Thirds Before the GH6

The Lumix GH6 is the camera that every Panasonic user interested in video issues has been waiting for, but beyond the announcement about its development, the truth is that the next great camera that the manufacturer will launch is an old acquaintance. This is what the new Lumix GH5 Mark II offers.

A very familiar cameraPanasonic Lumix GH5 M2

The Lumix GH5 M2 or Mark II is Panasonic’s new proposal within its catalog of micro four thirds cameras. And we must admit that it is surprising, because when we all expected to see the new GH6, the brand only announced that it is in development and that if you want a new micro four thirds it will have to be this one.

And since you are surely wondering what all it has to offer, if it will be worth it or not, etc., let’s talk about it and do the design first. Which, as you can imagine, is basically the same as we already had in the original GH5 that was released in late 2016 and went on sale in early 2017.

That has a negative part for the user who is looking to find something new, different. Although also positive, because the design of the GH5 itself was already good and above all very comfortable when operating with the camera itself, its different buttons, etc. What’s more, despite proposals such as the Lumix S5, which is very compact and comfortable on a day-to-day basis, the truth is that the GH5 and logically the new GH5 M2 are much more pleasant to use.

Thus, together with the distribution of buttons and the rest of the dials, what continues to draw attention the most is the versatility offered by the folding screen. One of the things that is most valued when you are used to or “limited” to screens that are tiltable at most in other cameras.

Therefore, looking at the images you will surely get the idea of what the camera is like and what it can offer you in your video productions and even when you use it as a camera. Because that is still the case, although it is clear that Panasonic’s approach to this range is video.

A GH5 with improved video quality

Shortly after the GH5 was launched, the GH5s was launched, a camera also with a clear focus on video and that was improving. So why is the GH5 M2 now a camera that improves video quality? And what model does it do?

Well, the GH5 M2 improves on video with respect to both proposals, both the GH5 and GH5s. Although the GH5s will always remain something different because what Panasonic did with this camera was to lower the resolution of the sensor to 12MP in order to introduce larger pixels capable of capturing more light and, therefore, perform better in low light conditions. .

With a 20.3 MP sensor , the new Lumix GH5 M2 bases its improvements on the ability to record C4K and 4K content at 60p with a 10-bit color depth and a 4: 2: 0 scheme. Additionally, the camera is also capable of outputting a 10-bit 4K 4: 2: 2 signal through the HDMI output to external recording. And, as if that were not enough, when recording in 4K at 60p it uses the entire sensor area and that avoids clipping in the real vision that the lens being used is capable of giving.

Along with this there is also the possibility of recording video in logarithmic format thanks to the fact that the V-Log L profile is pre-installed in the camera. You no longer have to buy an additional license as in the past. Something that is also true that he has been doing with other recent proposals.

An AF system inherited from the Lumix S

Panasonic’s GH-series autofocus system was never its greatest strength, generally on any camera when compared to competitors like Sony. However, it must be said that with the arrival of the Lumix S family with Full Frame sensor, the AF changed slightly for the better.

Now the GH5 M2 inherits that system capable of detecting eyes and faces much faster and more accurately. Do not go crazy thinking that everything will already be perfectly focused and it will be a reactive system because it will not happen, but it is true that you can trust more and without it is not a complicated scene the new AF works better.

Even so, until a field test it will not be possible to assess whether the use of a micro four-thirds sensor compared to a Full Frame could provide some kind of additional advantage.

The secret of the GH5 M2: a camera for streaming

With all this we come to what could be the main weapon of this proposal: video streaming . And is that Panasonic has incorporated the ability to transmit content through current live video platforms both by cable and wirelessly.

This makes it quite interesting for those who are dedicated to streaming, because they could make their live shows increase in quality and also in versatility. Because the new GH5 M2 uses the company’s computer software (Lumix Tether) as well as its mobile app for live shows, which in turn can take advantage of the RTMP / RTMPS protocol under the H.264 codec to transmit an image. at Full HD quality and up to 60p.

Lumix GH5 M2, is it worth it?

It is difficult to answer the question of whether or not a camera that improves is worth it, but that does not come with those changes that many imagined could appear with a new version of the GH series. For example, there is no option to record content at 6K resolutions, which Blackmagic offers, nor is there a really qualitative leap in video or the autofocus system.

Despite this, this seems to be a somewhat transitional camera until the Lumix GH6 finally hits the market and to meet the demand of certain creators who are very comfortable with the workflows that Panasonic offers.

It’s certainly a great camera, with its stabilization system that works great and with a set of additional features such as timecode recording, logarithmic video, etc. that add value and appeal. But still, put to invest, better bet on the Lumix S5 or if you prefer micro four thirds, wait for the GH6.

Extra bonus: Lumix GH6

Panasonic announced the development of the Lumix GH6 and although some things may change or be added between now and its launch at the end of the year, the truth is that the camera is what it should have already been ready instead of the GH5 M2.

The new Lumix GH6 improves on the processor level and that allows you to capture video with higher frame rates and overall quality. For starters, it is capable of recording 4K 60p 4: 2: 2 DCI video, also 10-bit HFR video in 4K 120p. When the full sensor is used, it is capable of recording video at 5.7K resolution at 60p . And all this accompanied by logarithmic profiles among others already classic such as CineLike D.

So let’s see how it progresses, what ends up on the market and at what price. Because the rivals are not going to make it easy for them and Sony in particular has managed to carve out such an important niche that for practically many video creators it is the number one option today.