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Panasonic GH5s Comparison Review

The Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5s is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that was announced in January 2018 and is equipped with a Four Thirds sensor. It offers a resolution of 9.9 megapixel.

camera

Is the Panasonic GH5s a good camera? The GH5s has a Camera Elo of 2578. This rating puts the GH5s among the top 50 percent of all mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (Four Thirds cameras), the GH5s ranks among the top 20 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 4-star performance rating.

Headline Specifications
Panasonic GH5s
Mirrorless system camera
Micro Four Thirds lenses
9.9 MP, Four Thirds Sensor
4K/60p Video
ISO 160 - 51 200 (80 - 204 800)
Electronic viewfinder (3680k dots)
3.2 LCD, 1620k dots
Swivel touchscreen
12 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed body
440 shots per battery charge
139 x 98 x 87 mm, 660 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

The physical dimensions of the Panasonic GH5s relative to a credit card are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Panasonic GH5s vs credit card front
GH5s versus credit card top view
GH5s and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Panasonic GH5s alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
    Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Panasonic GH5s 139 mm 98 mm 87 mm 660 g 440 Y Jan 2018 US$ 2 499 amazon.com
2.
 
Canon 6D Mark II 144 mm 111 mm 75 mm 765 g 1200 Y Jun 2017 US$ 1 999 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon R 139 mm 98 mm 84 mm 660 g 370 Y Sep 2018 US$ 2 299ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D7500 136 mm 104 mm 73 mm 720 g 950 Y Apr 2017 US$ 1 299 amazon.com
5.
 
Panasonic FZ330 132 mm 92 mm 117 mm 691 g 380 Y Jul 2015 US$ 599 amazon.com
6.
 
Panasonic G9 137 mm 97 mm 92 mm 658 g 400 Y Nov 2017 US$ 1 699ebay.com
7.
 
Panasonic GH3 133 mm 93 mm 82 mm 550 g 540 Y Sep 2012 US$ 1 299ebay.com
8.
 
Panasonic GH4 133 mm 93 mm 84 mm 560 g 500 Y Feb 2014 US$ 1 499ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic GH5 139 mm 98 mm 87 mm 725 g 410 Y Jan 2017 US$ 1 999ebay.com
10.
 
Panasonic GH7 138 mm 100 mm 100 mm 805 g 380 Y Jun 2024 US$ 2 199 amazon.com
11.
 
Sony A7S II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 627 g 370 Y Sep 2015 US$ 2 999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Panasonic GH5s was launched in the US market at a price of $2,499. 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.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors 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. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Panasonic GH5s 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 GH5s among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Panasonic GH5s sensor measures

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of alternatives.

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Sensor Characteristics
    Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Panasonic GH5s Four Thirds 9.9 3680 27004K/60p23.112.8115474
2.
 
Canon 6D Mark II Full Frame 26.0 6240 41601080/60p24.411.9286285
3.
 
Canon R Full Frame 30.1 6720 44804K/30p24.513.5274289
4.
 
Nikon D7500 APS-C 20.7 5568 37124K/30p24.314.0148386
5.
 
Panasonic FZ330 1/2.3 12.0 4000 30004K/30p19.311.09738
6.
 
Panasonic G9 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/60p23.112.8113874
7.
 
Panasonic GH3 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/60p22.712.481271
8.
 
Panasonic GH4 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34564K/30p23.212.879174
9.
 
Panasonic GH5 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/60p23.913.080777
10.
 
Panasonic GH7 Four Thirds 25.0 5776 43365.7K/60p23.413.6178478
11.
 
Sony A7S II Full Frame 12.0 4240 28324K/30p23.613.3299385
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The GH5s indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the GH5s can use is 4K/60p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the GH5s has an electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 3680k dots. The viewfinder offers a field of view of 100% and a magnification of 0.76x. The adjacent tables list some of the other core features of the Panasonic GH5s along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
    Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Panasonic GH5s3680 n3.2 / 1620 swivel Y 1/8000s 12.0/s n n
2.
 
Canon 6D Mark IIoptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.5/s n n
3.
 
Canon R3690 Y3.2 / 2100 swivel Y 1/8000s 8.0/s n n
4.
 
Nikon D7500optical Y3.2 / 922 tilting Y 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n
5.
 
Panasonic FZ3301440 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
6.
 
Panasonic G93680 Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 20.0/s n Y
7.
 
Panasonic GH31746 n3.0 / 614 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
8.
 
Panasonic GH42359 n3.0 / 1036 swivel Y 1/8000s 12.0/s Y n
9.
 
Panasonic GH53680 n3.2 / 1620 swivel Y 1/8000s 12.0/s n Y
10.
 
Panasonic GH73680 n3.0 / 1840 full-flex Y 1/8000s 14.0/s n Y
11.
 
Sony A7S II2400 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

The LCD screen on the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5s is flexibly attached to the body. In particular, the LCD is hinged on the side and can be flipped out for odd-angle shots in both portrait and landscape orientation. Also, this fully articulated, swivel type of LCD attachment is often appreciated by videographers for its flexibility. Moreover, v-loggers like the design because the screen can be turned to be front-facing.

articulated screen
Flexible screen on the GH5s

It is worthwhile pointing out that the GH5s has a touchscreen. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, when trying to adjust the focus point.

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Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5s and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
    Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Panasonic GH5sYstereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
2.
 
Canon 6D Mark IIYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
3.
 
Canon RYstereo / monoYYmini3.1Y-Y
4.
 
Nikon D7500Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0Y-Y
5.
 
Panasonic FZ330Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
6.
 
Panasonic G9Ystereo / monoYYfull3.0Y-Y
7.
 
Panasonic GH3Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0Y--
8.
 
Panasonic GH4Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
9.
 
Panasonic GH5Ystereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
10.
 
Panasonic GH7Ystereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
11.
 
Sony A7S IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-

It is notable that the GH5s has a microphone port. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Further information on the features and operation of the GH5s can be found in the free online Panasonic GH5s Manual or on the Panasonic support site.

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Expert reviews

While the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the GH5s handle or perform in practice. 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 where reviews by experts come in. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
     Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Panasonic GH5s....4.5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2018 US$ 2 499 amazon.com
2.
 
Canon 6D Mark II4/5+4/580/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2017 US$ 1 999 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon R4/5o4/579/1004.5/54/5 Sep 2018 US$ 2 299ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D75004.5/5+ +4.5/586/1005/54.5/5 Apr 2017 US$ 1 299 amazon.com
5.
 
Panasonic FZ330..+ +....4.5/54.5/5 Jul 2015 US$ 599 amazon.com
6.
 
Panasonic G9..+ +5/585/1005/55/5 Nov 2017 US$ 1 699ebay.com
7.
 
Panasonic GH35/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 US$ 1 299ebay.com
8.
 
Panasonic GH45/5+ +..85/1005/55/5 Feb 2014 US$ 1 499ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic GH54.5/5+ +..85/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2017 US$ 1 999ebay.com
10.
 
Panasonic GH7............ Jun 2024 US$ 2 199 amazon.com
11.
 
Sony A7S II5/5+....4.5/55/5 Sep 2015 US$ 2 999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Panasonic GH5s FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the GH5s.

What technology is the imaging sensor in the Panasonic GH5s based on?

The camera has a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor at its core.

Which image processing chip is used in the Panasonic GH5s to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Panasonic equipped the GH5s with the Venus 10 image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Panasonic GH5s?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 160 to ISO 51200, which can be extended to ISO 80-204800.

Does the Panasonic GH5s have a selfie-friendly screen?

Yes, the LCD-screen of the GH5s is flexible and can be turned to be front-facing for capturing selfies.

What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5s?

Panasonic mentions a shutter rating of 200 000 actuations for the GH5s. This number represents a Mean Time before Failure, that is an average value. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust the expected shutter life of the GH5s over, say, three years, one would have to take about 200 pictures each and every day.

How do I find the shutter count on my Panasonic GH5s?

Panasonic embeds the number of shutter actuations in hidden menus. You can check the number of shots that your GH5s has taken up to now by carefully following the steps described on the Panasonic GH5s shutter count page.

Is completely silent shooting possible with the Panasonic GH5s?

The camera has an electronic shutter option, so that it is indeed feasible to capture images without any shutter noise.

Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences with the Panasonic GH5s?

No, the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5s has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.

Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Panasonic GH5s?

The GH5s offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.

Does the Panasonic GH5s feature an autofocus assist light?

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

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Panasonic GH5s for flash photography?

The GH5s's flash sync speed is 1/250 sec.

Does the Panasonic GH5s support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?

Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-II cards, which provide for data transfer speed of up to 312 MB/s, in both of its card slots.

Which battery does the Panasonic GH5s use?

The camera gets its power from the Panasonic DMW-BLF19 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Is there a vertical grip available for the Panasonic GH5s?

Yes, Panasonic offers the DMW-BGGH5 as an optional accessory to facilitate shooting in portrait orientation and to provide additional battery power.

Where can I find the best deals for the Panasonic GH5s?

Grey imports from Asia, as found on ebay, are often very attractively priced. However, these cameras come without a warranty from Panasonic.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just use the search menu below. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Panasonic GH5s
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Micro Four Thirds lenses
    Launch Date January 2018
    Launch Price USD 2 499
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format Four Thirds Sensor
    Sensor Size 17.3 x 13.0 mm
    Sensor Area 225 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 21.6 mm
    Crop Factor 2.0x
    Sensor Resolution 9.9 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 3 680 x 2 700 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.77 μm
    Pixel Density 4.42 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter
    Movie Capability 4K/60p Video
    ISO Setting 160 - 51 200 ISO
    ISO Boost 80 - 204 800 ISO
    Image Processor Venus 10
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.76x
    Viewfinder Resolution 3680k dots
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.2 inch
    LCD Resolution 1620k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen
    V-logging Friendliness Front-flip possible
    Touch Input Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peaking
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 12 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy200 000 actuations
    Silent ShootingElectronic Shutter
    Time Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer Built-in
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots
    UHS card support Dual UHS-II
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 3.1
    HDMI Port full HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port
    Headphone Socket Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Panasonic DMW-BLF19 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)440 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 139 x 98 x 87 mm
    (5.5 x 3.9 x 3.4 in)
    Camera Weight 660 g (23.3 oz)

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