GH5 good Prices on the GH5. Buy?
- Thread starter Zim
- Start date
ahalpert
Major Contributor
I have the GH5 and I really like it. You can definitely use it for indie films. My only issues were dynamic range and low-light. The dynamic range of V-Log L is lower than full V-Log. And the GH5 starts getting noisy at about ISO 800. 1600 is pretty darn noisy.
For doc/event needs, I bought a Panasonic S1 (not the S1H). The S1 is also around the $2k mark. Tons of dynamic range with V-Log. Monster in low-light. But it only maxes out at a 150Mbps Long-GOP 10-bit 4:2:2 codec, not the 400Mbps All-I codec of the GH5. But in practice and for what I'm using it for, the codec is fine for me. The other downside relative to the GH5 is that you must crop in to shoot 4K 60p whereas the GH5 does it with no additional crop. My 2 cents.
And of course the lens situation is totally different, so if you're set for the GH3, the GH5 is an easy move. But if you already have full-frame lenses, the S1 is an easy move, too.
For doc/event needs, I bought a Panasonic S1 (not the S1H). The S1 is also around the $2k mark. Tons of dynamic range with V-Log. Monster in low-light. But it only maxes out at a 150Mbps Long-GOP 10-bit 4:2:2 codec, not the 400Mbps All-I codec of the GH5. But in practice and for what I'm using it for, the codec is fine for me. The other downside relative to the GH5 is that you must crop in to shoot 4K 60p whereas the GH5 does it with no additional crop. My 2 cents.
And of course the lens situation is totally different, so if you're set for the GH3, the GH5 is an easy move. But if you already have full-frame lenses, the S1 is an easy move, too.
markoconnell
Well-known member
The GH5 is a fantastic camera and would be a real step up for you. It's time for a GH6 announcement, but that will definitely cost more than two thousand dollars.
Zim
Veteran
I read the GH6 could be postponed due to Covida and like you said the cost will be a lot more. I debated trying the iphone 11 pro for my next film but audio would probably be a hassle. Thanks Mark
stoneinapond
Veteran
It can be done but there are issues with creative control on an iPhone that makes me steer clear of it. Also you would need to get more lenses and by the time you've tricked out an iPhone you're spending more than the GH5, which is still absolutely a fantastic camera. Don't be dissuaded by peoples reports of noise. Yes, it is there but in my experience nowhere near what others consider the upper ISO limit. If you are thinking about narrative, I'd pass on the Leica 12-60. I have one and it is a great lens but I think you'd be better served getting a few cine primes, which would also ameliorate some of the noise renderings.
ahalpert
Major Contributor
The short answer is that the GH5 is great and if you like the GH3, you'll love the GH5. It's not a low-light beast and it doesn't have great video AF (although I've read that it's been much improved - I don't have any native MFT lenses to really test it with). It's a great camera and the images look great
Zim
Veteran
I read after the firmware update the AF is pretty good
ahalpert
Major Contributor
The camera uses a form of contrast-detect AF. For video, I believe that phase-detect AF is objectively faster and hunts less. Sony, Canon, Fuji and Nikon all use phase-detect now. If you want the best video AF camera, it is definitely not the GH5. But if you look at the most recent AF tests of the GH5 on youtube, you will see how it performs. It may have gotten good enough to be useful
Zim
Veteran
I can do some stuff with the iPhone but I still need a steven Soderbergh budget to do to much. I have some good mics and audio equipment that I don't have any idea how to use with the phone. it would be an easy switch over to the GH5.
stoneinapond
Veteran
Get the GH5 I bought one back in the fall of 2017 and sold it to get a bmpc4k. Wish I still had the GH5 as well. The camera is just fun to use the IBIS is great. I used a speedbooster and never personally messed with AF. But I never had to kit it out and rarely pulled out a gimbal or slider. Battery life was great. I often miss just pulling a small camera out to get nice shots. The Vlog-L was great in 10-bit and terrible in 8-bit. I would often avoid using 4k60p for that reason if I was trying to match footage. But like I said I would still like to have one today. The DR would sometimes annoy me in uncontrolled situations. But nothing that really was an issue. Your mileage may vary but it would be a huge step up from a gh3.
Zim
Veteran
24p is really all I use
JonsMovies
Active member
As someone who has owned all of the line since the GH2, the 5 is an upgrade from the 3 in every possible way. The absolute biggest difference I think is the way the image is resolved which was always done with some form of line skipping on the GH3 in all video modes. This resulted in bad aliasing and other issues with the IQ, so moving to the GH5 you'll see a huge difference even just shooting HD let alone 4K.
BobKo
Well-known member
I completely agree. I shot a short indie film with my GH3, then I got a GH5. The GH5 is a big improvement from the GH3 for filmmaking, with lots more image control and quality selections. There are many more encoders to fine tune the quality you want to use, and the GH5 has decent slow motion capability at HD image resolution. The image stabilization with the GH5 is MUCH better than the GH3, with the ability to do in-body stabilization in concert with lens stabilization. (I don't think the original 12-35mm Panasonic lens supports dual stabilization, however.) The GH5 has three buttons on top for quick access to exposure, ISO and white balance, and that is super-convenient. And the GH5 has a full-size HDMI port, making it more compatible with outboard monitors and recorders. Oh... and the GH5 has two SD card slots.
My GH3 is broken now, but I would probably still use it if it worked. The GH5 is a big step up in every way, including getting pretty 4K video at 24 and 30 fps. In addition to your GH3 lenses fitting the GH5, the GH3's battery and charger are also compatible.
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Zim
Veteran
So the GH5 has stabilization, but depending on the lens dual stabilization? My 12-35 has a Power O.I.S switch on it. So probably a newer one.
I have extra batteries, chargers, a JuiceLink, AT shotgun mic, monitor etc. Not sure if my cage would work but not a big expense. So it would be a easy move.
I still use my GH5 for most of my work even though I have an S1. The S1 is awesome for low light but no where near as handy for almost anything else. Definitely not selling my S1, but will still be filming with the GH5 for years to come.
On a side note if you can pick up a 15mm and 42.5mm F/1.7's you will do yourself an enormous favor. The lower light capability and shallower depth of field of these two lenses wide open allow for much more latitude than the f/2.8 primes.
I personally think the 42.5mm f/1.7 with dual stabilization is probably the best bang for your buck in the m43 world. It's just a very nice portrait lens and an incredibly low cost for the GH5
Here's a sample from the first day I had my GH5 with the 42.5mm f/1.7 in 180 fps slow motion. vimeo.com/212995727
Cheers, Pete
On a side note if you can pick up a 15mm and 42.5mm F/1.7's you will do yourself an enormous favor. The lower light capability and shallower depth of field of these two lenses wide open allow for much more latitude than the f/2.8 primes.
I personally think the 42.5mm f/1.7 with dual stabilization is probably the best bang for your buck in the m43 world. It's just a very nice portrait lens and an incredibly low cost for the GH5
Here's a sample from the first day I had my GH5 with the 42.5mm f/1.7 in 180 fps slow motion. vimeo.com/212995727
Cheers, Pete
Zim
Veteran
Looks good. Thanks Pete