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Panasonic GH5 Comparison Review

The Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that was revealed to the public in January 2017 and is equipped with a Four Thirds sensor. It offers a resolution of 20.2 megapixel.

Body comparison with a credit card

An illustration of the physical dimensions of the Panasonic GH5 vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Panasonic GH5 vs credit card front
GH5 versus credit card top view
GH5 and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Panasonic GH5 alongside a set of comparators. If you want to review a camera pair side-by-side, just select a right-side comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

Camera Body Specifications
  Camera
Model		 Camera
Width		 Camera
Height		 Camera
Depth		 Camera
Weight		 Battery
Life
(CIPA)		 Weather
Sealing
(yes/no)		 Camera
Launch
(announced)		 Launch
Price
(USD)		 Street
Price
(USD)		 Used
Price
(USD)
 
 Panasonic GH5 5.5 in 3.9 in 3.4 in 25.6 oz 410 Y Jan 2017 1,999 i i
 
 Nikon D500« » 5.8 in 4.5 in 3.2 in 30.3 oz 1240 Y Jan 2016 1,999 i i
 
 Olympus E-M1 II« » 5.3 in 3.6 in 2.6 in 20.2 oz 440 Y Sep 2016 1,999 i i
 
 Panasonic GH5s« » 5.5 in 3.9 in 3.4 in 23.3 oz 440 Y Jan 2018 2,499 i i
 
 Panasonic G9« » 5.4 in 3.8 in 3.6 in 23.2 oz 400 Y Nov 2017 1,699 i i
 
 Panasonic G85« » 5.0 in 3.5 in 2.9 in 17.8 oz 330 Y Sep 2016 899 i i
 
 Panasonic GX8« » 5.2 in 3.1 in 2.5 in 17.2 oz 330 Y Jul 2015 1,199- i
 
 Panasonic GH4« » 5.2 in 3.7 in 3.3 in 19.8 oz 500 Y Feb 2014 1,499- i
 
 Sony A9« » 5.0 in 3.8 in 2.5 in 23.7 oz 650 Y Apr 2017 4,499 i i
 
 Sony A7 II« » 5.0 in 3.8 in 2.4 in 21.1 oz 350 Y Nov 2014 1,999- i
 
 Sony A77« » 5.6 in 4.1 in 3.2 in 25.8 oz 470 Y Aug 2011 1,999- i

The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Panasonic GH5 was launched in the US market at a price of $1,999. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

 

Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

The Panasonic GH5 features a Four Thirds sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 2.0. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Panasonic GH5 among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Panasonic GH5 sensor measures

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics
  Camera Sensor
Class		 Resolution
(MP)		 Horiz.
Pixels		 Vert.
Pixels		 Video
Format		 DXO
Portrait		 DXO
Landscape		 DXO
Sports		 DXO
Overall
 
 Panasonic GH5 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/60p23.913.080777
 
 Nikon D500« » APS-C 20.7 5568 37124K/30p24.014.0132483
 
 Olympus E-M1 II« » Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.712.8131280
 
 Panasonic GH5s« » Four Thirds 9.9 3680 27004K/60p----
 
 Panasonic G9« » Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/60p----
 
 Panasonic G85« » Four Thirds 15.8 4592 34484K/30p22.812.565671
 
 Panasonic GX8« » Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.512.680675
 
 Panasonic GH4« » Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34564K/30p23.212.879174
 
 Sony A9« » Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.913.3351792
 
 Sony A7 II« » Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.913.6244990
 
 Sony A77« » APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.013.280178

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Panasonic GH5 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras. If you need more detail on the specs, you can find comprehensive listings, for example, in the dpreview camera hub.

Core Features
  Camera Viewfinder
(Type or
'000 dots)		 Control
Panel
(yes/no)		 LCD
Size
(inch)		 LCD
Resolution
('000 dots)		 LCD
Attach-
ment		 Touch
Screen
(yes/no)		 Shutter
speed
(1/sec)		 Shutter
flaps
(1/sec))		 Build-in
Flash
(yes/no)		 Build-in
Image
Stab
 
 Panasonic GH53680 n 3.2 1620 swivel Y 8000 12.0 n Y
 
 Nikon D500« »optical Y 3.2 2359 tilting Y 8000 10.0 n n
 
 Olympus E-M1 II« »2360 n 3.0 1037 swivel Y 8000 18.0 n Y
 
 Panasonic GH5s« »3680 n 3.2 1620 swivel Y 8000 12.0 n n
 
 Panasonic G9« »3680 Y 3.0 1040 swivel Y 8000 20.0 n Y
 
 Panasonic G85« »2360 n 3.0 1040 swivel Y 4000 9.0 Y Y
 
 Panasonic GX8« »2360 n 3.0 1040 swivel Y 8000 10.0 n Y
 
 Panasonic GH4« »2359 n 3.0 1036 swivel Y 8000 12.0 Y n
 
 Sony A9« »3686 n 3.0 1440 tilting Y 8000 20.0 n Y
 
 Sony A7 II« »2400 n 3.0 1230 tilting n 8000 5.0 n Y
 
 Sony A77« »2359 Y 3.0 921 full-flex n 8000 12.0 Y Y
 

Expert reviews

While the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the GH5. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog). The full reviews are available by clicking on the site logo in the table header.

Review scores
  Camera cameralabs dpreview ephotozine imaging-resource photographyblog Camera
Launch
(announced)		 Launch
Price
(USD)		 Street
Price
(USD)		 Used
Price
(USD)
 
 Panasonic GH5HiRec85/1004.5/55/55/5 Jan 2017 1,999 i i
 
 Nikon D500« »HiRec91/1004.5/55/55/5 Jan 2016 1,999 i i
 
 Olympus E-M1 II« »HiRec85/1004.5/55/54.5/5 Sep 2016 1,999 i i
 
 Panasonic GH5s« »-84/1004.5/5-4.5/5 Jan 2018 2,499 i i
 
 Panasonic G9« »HiRec85/1005/5-5/5 Nov 2017 1,699 i i
 
 Panasonic G85« »HiRec84/1005/54.5/54.5/5 Sep 2016 899 i i
 
 Panasonic GX8« »Rec82/1004.5/55/54.5/5 Jul 2015 1,199- i
 
 Panasonic GH4« »HiRec85/1005/55/55/5 Feb 2014 1,499- i
 
 Sony A9« »HiRec89/1005/55/55/5 Apr 2017 4,499 i i
 
 Sony A7 II« »Rec82/1004.5/55/55/5 Nov 2014 1,999- i
 
 Sony A77« »91/10081/100-4.5/55/5 Aug 2011 1,999- i

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Panasonic GH5 FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the GH5.

What is the technology behind the imaging sensor in the GH5?

The camera is build around a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.

Which image processing chip is used to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Panasonic equipped the GH5 with the Venus Engine 10 image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the GH5?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600.

Does the camera have a selfie-friendly screen?

Yes, the LCD-screen of the GH5 is flexible and can be turned to be front-facing for capturing selfies.

Does the Panasonic GH5 feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp build-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with flash?

The GH5's flash sync speed is 1/250 sec.

Which battery does the GH5 use?

The camera gets its power from the DMW-BLF19, which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

 

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares another one, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored. If you do not see the camera that you are looking for, kindly get in touch, and I will try to add information on that model to the database.

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