GEAR TESTS: PANASONIC LUMIX-DMC-GH5

Video Overview

Jim Decker CEO: Backscatter Underwater Video & Photo

Since the moment the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 was announced with 4K 60p video, we've been chomping at the bit to get it wet. 

While the 4K 60p is the headline, there are a whole host of other features that make this camera the best choice for underwater videography. First we have seen a massive improvement over the GH4 in terms of being able to execute a custom white balance. The GH4 required a red filter to be able to capture an accurate white balance at depth, limiting you to shooting either with video lights and no filter, or ambient light with a filter - a choice that had to be made before getting in the water.  Now with the GH5's ability to execute a white balance at depth without the need of a red filter, you can make those decisions on the fly. This gives the shooter the freedom to light the scene they way they see fit, without having to compromise. This also gives the hybrid stills/video shooter the ability to shoot stills with strobes and ambient light video on the same dive.

Another huge spec for video is 5 axis image stabilization. The GH5 is the only option for 4K 60p with stabilization. The benefits of the stabilization can't be overstated. When combined with good shooting technique and being able to slow 60p to 30p, any stabilization issues just disappear.  

Don't let all this talk about video overshadow the GH5's ability to take really great stills. The color right out of the camera in  Adobe Lightroom looks fantastic and the image quality is among the best for a Micro 4/3 sensor camera. With no anti aliasing filter on the sensor, images are super sharp, especially when I shot with the Olympus 8mm fisheye Pro lens, which is incredibly sharp. Shooting performance with stills was great with the camera being very responsive and I was never waiting for shutter lag or running up against an image buffer.

Shooting macro with a 45 degree viewfinder was made easy with the electronic viewfinder. Shooting super macro sometimes requires a certain amount of contortion to get in position for the shot and doesn't allow for graceful switching between viewfinder and LCD screen. It was great to be able to see the shot I just took playback through the electronic viewfinder without having to reposition myself to view the LCD screen and losing my positioning for the shot.

Hergen Spalink Nauticam USA UW Photography Ambassador

The NA-GH5 is bound to be one of the top sellers of the year.  Panasonic's GH5 is one of the most anticipated camera releases of late, especially for video shooters.  The ability to shoot stabilized 4K at 60p and the addition of 10-bit 4:2:2 capture make this a must-have for the serious videographer.

The NA-GH5 allows the user to take full advantage of the camera's standout features.  The one-touch white balance is easily accessed by a thumb lever on the right-side of the housing.  The GH5 allows for 4 custom white balance settings, which means you can have shallow and mid-depth white balances for both natural and mixed lighting.

All the exposure controls can be accessed without letting go of the handles, making sure you don't miss a scene when changing your settings.

The GH5 can also be paired with the NA-502 housing for the SmallHD 5" monitor.  The camera will output a video signal over HDMI to the SmallHD as well as either the camera's viewfinder or LCD allowing you to check critical focus by taking a quick look through the camera's high-resolution EVF.