GH5 Actual size of GH5S sensor?

D

Denny16

Well-known member
While the Panasonic website kits the GH5S sensor as 17.3x13mm, the overall sensor size is closer to 19.3mm wide, but only uses 18.9mm of that width in 17:9: and 17.75mm I. 16:9 Video aspect ratios. The GH5 is also listed at 17.3x13 — but in the release interviews, Panasonic states the new GH5S has a larger, multi aslect sensor similar to the GH2 had (which was 19x13.4mm to get a 22mm image circle at the various aspect ratios could line up in). This “larger” sensor according to Panny precludes the use of IBIS, so what is the actual image circle and sensor size.?

After first after hearing the rep, I figured is was close to the AF100 sensor size 17.8x10mm (which was optimized for 16:9), to get the continuous aspect ratios, The advantage of the GH5S is that all the various aspect ratios (except 1:1) use the same number of pixels and have a constant diagonal size.

The GH4/5 however, crops the sensor for 16:9 or 3:2: and use a smaller area of the smaller 17.3x13mm sensor. Since the GH5S is supposedly the same as the GH2, which was 22mm, the GH5 at 4:3 is only about 21.5mm, and even less in 16:9 The GH2 maintained 22mm in 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 (also in 1:1), the GH3 did not, and went from 19.8mm in 16:9 to a 22mm image circle in 4:3.

The GH5S is supposed to hold the image diagonal and pixel count for each aspect ratio, except 1:1, which is less, so it needs to be bigger than the 17.3x13 advertised size. This was also demonstrated recently, with APS/C zoom lenses having a 30-34mm image circle vignetting on the GH5S with the 0.71 Speed Booster, so the sensor needs to have at least a 22mm diagonal to cause this issue, the smaller sensor with a 19-20mm image circle should work at a 0.64 focal reduction factor with a APS/C lens image circle of 30.5mm. The math just does not add up to support a 17.3x13mm sensor.

So, the question remains, whu is Panasonic not listing the actual sensor size for the GH5S?
Cheers
 
Last edited:
If I recall correctly, GH1 and GH2 both had a multi aspect ratio sensor, but the GH3/GH4/GH5 did not? And now the GH5S returns with a multi aspect ratio sensor, so the GH5S would have the same field of view in 16:9 shooting as the GH1/GH2 had?
 
Yeah I agree with Joe here. It honestly does not matter. Even if one wanted to nerd out hard on this there is little to no point.

Crop factor is just there to drive people insane.
 
Yes, I have seen this, thanks. While he does not use the term, he is describing how the multi aspect ratio sensor of the GH5S works compared to the cropping the GH4/5. This shows the sensor is wider than the GH5 sensor. Panasonic is listing the sensor window size for a 4:3 aspect ratio, and not the full width, which has been reported as being 18.96mm active area. The only time the full width is actually used is I. 4K DCS 17:9 aspect ratio.
Cheers
 
Yes the 4:3 is of course the same size but the others are bigger since they go to the edge of the circle. That is also true for the 16:9 as well as 17:9 which is different to the GH5 as he explains in the video. I do not think Panasonic did the correct thing in just quoting 4:3 without explaining the other aspect ratios and areas. The 16:9 on the GH5S is not only a bigger areas but with less pixels ( so larger pixel area ) and that is the reason for a performance difference even without the dual ISO. I have both GH5 and GH5S and there is a clear difference not only in lower light but I think the image is better too.
 
Actual sensor size might be needed very much in cases when you need accurate camera tracking. Stop showing lameness and saying that knowing the exact sensor size has no point.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top