The Panasonic GH5 was a groundbreaking camera for video creators until it was replaced by the GH5 II. Together with crucial features like in-body image stabilization and two SD card ports, it featured magnificent 4K film quality, a large range of shooting settings, and superb handling. Although having a tiny Micro Four Thirds sensor, it was still a reliable stills camera with respectable all-around imaging performance.
Nothing about the GH5 II ruins the event. It includes everything that its predecessor had that made it successful plus a little bit more. But only slightly—with essentially the same sensor and similar selection of video resolutions, frame rates, and bitrates, there isn’t a significant advancement in this area.
In general, we don’t think owners of the GH5 should bother replacing it with the GH5 II; the improvements are too slight. But, for some, the addition of built-in wireless video live streaming could make it worth the purchase.
Structure and handling
Almost identical to its predecessor, the GH5 Mark II features the same dust-proof, splash-proof, and freeze-proof magnesium alloy shell with the same dimensions of 138.5 x 98.1 x 87.4mm and weighs only 2g more at 727g (battery and memory card included).
To be fair to Panasonic, this was one area where it didn’t seem like change was necessary. The camera’s quasi-DSLR design makes it comfortable to hold, and all the major controls—including the big red button that starts and stops videos—are placed within easy reach of your fingers or thumbs. Four user-customizable setups for shooting modes are easily accessible through dials, and your right thumb’s cursor-nub enables for rapid menu navigating or moving the focusing point.
Like with the original GH5, the GH5 features a full-size HDMI output, two SD card slots, a USB Type-C connection, a dedicated remote, mic and headphone ports, a dedicated remote, and the ability to send a C4K 4:2:2 10-bit video stream to an external recorder. Nevertheless, the GH5 Mark II’s USB connection surpasses that of its predecessor and is able to recharge the battery and supply power; this enhancement is especially helpful given the live-streaming capability.
The touchscreen’s size has been significantly decreased from 3.2 inches to 3 inches, although we believe this is offset by a minor improvement in brightness and quality. It retains the incredibly adaptable tilt-and-swivel architecture, enabling it to turn around to face completely forward—precisely what is needed for vlogging and live-streaming. The electronic viewfinder is identical to that of the GH5, which is not a concern because it is clear, bright, and does its job well.
Live broadcasting
Although wireless live streaming may not seem like a significant trend just yet, Panasonic has made it a key selling feature for the GH5 II. Vloggers and other video producers should take heed since it’s the only premium mirrorless camera with wifi live streaming built in at the time of writing.
The camera’s live streaming configuration employs the common RTMP/RTMPS protocol, making it compatible with a wide range of systems. YouTube and Facebook streaming is pre-built for people that wish to get started quickly: You can simply get started by downloading the Lumix Sync software for your phone or tablet, following the easy steps to link your device with the GH5 II, and then logging onto your Facebook or YouTube account.
For this, you will need to connect the camera to the internet via Wi-Fi. If you’re not at home, you may use the Wi-Fi hotspot on your smartphone, and after testing it, we can attest that it generally works. Once you’ve gone through the initial setup and stored your login information for whichever platform you’re using, you can get a stream up and running in a matter of minutes whether you’re using a hotspot or your home Wi-Fi connection.
The highest streaming quality is 1080p/60fps, however it will automatically adjust to your connection. For example, our Facebook stream’s resolution was reduced to 720p, yet the connection was strong and continued to operate with a delay of around 15 seconds.
A planned firmware upgrade that will also provide USB smartphone tethering will have to be applied before those who wish to broadcast via an RTP/RTSP wired connection may do so. The Lumix Webcam software from Panasonic may be used to temporarily convert the GH5 II, along with many other cameras, into a wired webcam with a maximum resolution of 960p.
Autofocus
The focusing system for the GH5 II is basically unchanged from the GH5, but now includes head, body, and animal identification (the original only had eye recognition).
Our testing indicates that this AI-based detection method generally works well: human faces, heads, and bodies are promptly detected, but although a seagull caught the autofocus’s attention, our own sitting cat appeared to misdirect it just a little bit.
Instead of the hybrid contrast and phase detection configuration used by manufacturers like Sony, Canon, and Nikon, the AF setup makes use of Panasonic’s unique DFD (Depth From Defocus) method. DFD employs contrast detection in addition to an AI-based algorithm, but we’d argue that when it comes to consistently nailing a fast, flawless focus, it’s not nearly as dependable as its hybrid competitors. Is it likely to significantly impede your photography or filmmaking? No, we don’t think so.
A pleasingly wide selection of AF settings are available, and there are 225 customizable focus points distributed over the sensor. You may tap the display to choose an AF region or point, including on an item you want the system to track as it travels across the frame, as is common with the majority of touchscreen-equipped cameras available today.
Performance
The GH5 II has an average stills shooting speed, at least when it comes to taking photos in full quality. It can operate at a respectable 9 fps with autofocus activated or a quick 12 fps with manual focus and live view off.
Yet when the resolution is turned down, it turns into a bit of a speed demon. Burst rates of up to 30fps are available in the 6K Photo mode, while up to 60fps are possible in 4K Photo. The drawback is, of course, a reduction in pixel density: in 6K mode, your photographs will be 18MP in size, compared to 8MP in 4K. Also, you cannot capture these images in raw format because these are frames obtained from MP4 movies rather than conventional still images.
Batteries for the GH5 II have a slightly higher capacity than those for the GH5 (2,200mAh as opposed to 1,860mAh), however the differences in real-world use are insignificant, indicating that the current model is a bit more power-hungry. A charge should typically last for 400 still photos or an hour of 4K video recording under usual use.
The process for charging the battery has changed. Now that the GH5 II’s USB-C connector can deliver a consistent power source to the camera or replenish the battery, it can be done internally. Comparing that to the original GH5, which required external charging, there is a significant quality-of-life increase.
Picture caliber
The GH5 II’s Micro Four Thirds sensor isn’t the best stills performer if you’re searching for exceptional low light performance or extremely detailed landscape photos because of its small physical size. In certain areas, an APS-C, full-frame, or medium format camera can easily exceed it.
Despite this, it is capable of surviving in the majority of circumstances. Along with the significantly increased ISO range of 100 to 25600, the performance of its 5-axis in-body image stabilization technology has been somewhat enhanced over that of the GH5 (Panasonic claims it can now deliver the equivalent of 6.5 stops of correction).
The sensor isn’t precisely the same as the one in the GH5, despite having the same 20.3MP resolution. This time, Panasonic says it has incorporated an anti-reflective coating to lessen flare from strong light sources.
For those who desire the most post-production flexibility, stills can be captured in raw format, but even their straight from the camera JPEG photographs seem vibrant and interesting. Standard, Vivid, Flat, Monochrome, and V-Log L are just a few of the Picture Style image profiles that come with the GH5 II. If you want even more control, you can also build up to four custom preset profiles. 22 filters are also available to give images immediate personality.
Performance and quality of the video
The GH5 II is loaded to the gills with video shooting possibilities, much like the GH5 and GH5S before it. You may select to capture video in either the MOV or MP4 codecs with either H.264 or H.265 compression as a starting point. In terms of frame rates, video shooters really have a good number of new possibilities. Now, 4:2:0 10-bit C4K and 4K video may be recorded at 60/50 frames per second, as well as anamorphic 4:2:0 10-bit clips. Moreover, it is able to concurrently broadcast 4:2:2 10-bit video through HDMI for external recording while simultaneously recording internal 4:2:0 10-bit video.
The greatest variety of resolutions, frame rates, and bitrates are available when recording in MOV. In addition to “normal” 4K and 1080p Full HD resolutions, there are also C4K (4096 x 2160) and anamorphic 6K (4992 x 3744) resolutions. For recording conventional video, frame rates of 23.98 frames per second (fps), 24 frames per second (fps), 25 frames per second (fps), 50 frames per second (fps), and 59.94 frames per second (fps) are possible. A variable frame rate mode is also available for output in fast- and slow-motion. When a video is played back at regular frame rates after being captured in VFR mode at speeds up to 180 frames per second, it appears either incredibly fast or smoothly sluggish.
Is the Panasonic GH5 Mark II a good investment?
If, purchase it.
Wireless live streaming is required.
Although not everyone may find wireless live streaming appealing, it is a new phenomena that few other camera makers are eager to investigate. For anybody looking for a high-end mirrorless camera with wireless live streaming capability, the GH5 II is the only option left. At least for the moment.
You need a serious, yet portable, 4K video camera.
The GH5 II is a great alternative for content creators, vloggers, and aspiring filmmakers because to its light weight, forward-facing screen, precise autofocus mechanism, 5-axis stabilization, and wide variety of video settings. Its outward capabilities outperform its great internal video quality.
