GH4 My GH5 wishlist

Jaime Valles

Jaime Valles

Veteran
Now that I've been using my GH4 for almost 1 year, I'm reasonably certain that this is what I would like to see in the next GH camera (in order of importance to me):

  1. Improved high-ISO performance. If they can include the Dual-Native ISO that Panasonic uses on the new Varicam 35 it would be a dream come true. Impressive, noise-free performance at both ISO 800 and ISO 5000. This is by far my biggest complaint with my GH4, where anything over ISO 800 is too noisy for my tastes.
  2. Native 10-bit 4:2:2 4K ProRes HQ in-camera recording. Eliminates the need for external recording just to get better color space. 4K RAW internally would be great, but the files are probably too big to process in camera. I don't expect RAW, but I do expect 10-bit 4:2:2 4K of some kind (whether ProRes or AVC Ultra, or something else, I don't really care).
  3. Eliminate HDMI lag. It's inexcusable.
  4. 14+ stops of usable dynamic range. I shoot a lot of event video, and bright spotlights shining on people on stage are tough to deal with when using a camera with limited DR.
  5. Five axis stabilization, like the OM-D EM-5. One of the greatest joys of shooting Micro 4/3 is the variety of lenses that can be used. With built-in stabilization on the camera, those lenses would be even better.
  6. Global shutter. Just make it happen without sacrificing ISO performance.
  7. 4K at 60p. Doesn't have to be Cinema 4K, UHD 4K is fine for slo-mo. I don't need crazy high frame rates, but 60p would be very handy.
  8. Change back to Mini HDMI (like the GH3). The tiny Micro HDMI port in the GH4 is way too fragile.
  9. Ability to lock the shutter speed when shooting video. I hate it when I accidentally bump the shutter scroll wheel down to 1/30 or up to 1/60, messing up the feel of the shot.
  10. V-Log. But only if it can record in 4:2:2 10-bit. Otherwise, it's not necessary.
  11. Built-in ND filters. Not a dealbreaker, but would be really nice to have.
  12. Keep the same body style as the GH4/GH3, with the same batteries & accessories. I don't need a shoulder-mounted monstrosity. Small is the name of the game in Micro 4/3 land.
  13. Variable aspect ratio sensor, like the GH2. I loved that feature.
  14. Better focus peaking. The one on the GH4 isn't great. It helps, but it could be better.
  15. Dual SD card slots for redundant shooting.
  16. Less than $2500.

I feel like all of these are achievable with current technology. Perhaps the 4K ProRes requires a move to CFast2 for the huge data rates. I'd be okay with that.

That's my wishlist. What's yours?
 
17. Fix the freaking timecode so that it makes any sense whatsoever to use/sync free-run timecode with other cameras.
18. A WELL-integrated XLR adapter/breakout box would be nice, too.

I second everything except the global shutter... a nicety, but I'd prefer higher sensitivity if that was the tradeoff. Really, this little guy still kicks ass... the improvements don't have to be monumental.
 
Jaime Valles said:
I feel like all of these are achievable with current technology. Perhaps the 4K ProRes requires a move to CFast2 for the huge data rates.
Click to expand...

...I think you might see almost everything on your list within 5 years, but that won't be a GH5 camera, more likely a GH8 camera. :-)
 
TheDingo said:
...I think you might see almost everything on your list within 5 years, but that won't be a GH5 camera, more likely a GH8 camera. :-)
Click to expand...

Sadly, I must agree. Here's what I feel is realistic for GH5 - from your points, I'd love more DR, better low-light performance - which really is sensor related, and so doable today. I'd LOVE IBIS, and as Olympus showed, it's possible today, but for whatever reason, Panasonic is not going there, so it's technically possible but unlikely to be done. Better focus peaking - yes, eliminate HDMI lag - yes, all possible. It would be nice to have inbuilt ND and dual SD slots, but that may be too much to expect from the GH5, maybe down the road, GH8 like TheDingo says. Keep the GH3/4 body would be great, but I'm not sure is realistic.
 
The ultra fast UHS-II SDXC cards like the 2000x Lexar SDXC are fast enough for 500MB/s 4K 60fps video that might be in the GH5.
 
I think the GH4 is an incredible camera especially for the money. My only real wish would be significantly better low light performance - to me it is the only thing truly holding this camera back. I use the word significant because they touted the GH4 as having improved low light performance over the GH3 and while that may be technically true it wasn't a significantly noticeable improvement. With my Sigma 18-35 on a speedbooster, I can get very acceptable low light performance but it should and could be so much better IMHO.

On a less important but would still like to have it wish, I would really like 4K 60P internal recording.

I can see both of the aforementioned happening in a GH5.

I don't know if Panny has the tech to do a back-lit sensor like on the NX1 but that would certainly help with low light performance.
 
My List is
Solid Firmware upgrade with V-Log and extra anamorphic options for the Gh4.....so I wont have to buy a GH5 and spend more money where its not needed!
 
ND filters is top of the list, no doubt about it!
Next is dual SD card slots.
Next is XLR integration, yet still in a total small form factor (not the current big huge add on, none of that).

Basically, the best bits of a C100 and GH4 combined together.
 
I am sure they will add very fine and high tech features but they still will forget some some basics as always.

I would be happy if they can finally make basic exposure modes work as they should. It would be also nice if they can make the camera show exposure values while shooting. Some experienced user would be happy to know what the camera is doing during video exposure :) Stepless aperture change would be good too. AE/AF lock should work like in other cameras (on/off/on/off...).

Many important menus should have FN use option. Why make so many function buttons and then not be able to use menus I want with them.

With so many features it would help if I could save the whole camera setup with names like "indoors", "outdoors", "sports"... Now with GH4 I must always spend time to program camera for different situations and save new settings to C-memories and delete previous settings.

All these are wishes for GH4 FW update too.
 
I don't get the love for global shutter.

I'm buying a digital movie camera to make it look like the movies. Celluloid film has had rolling shutter forever - it's part of the 'film feel', like 24p and film-like highlight rolloff.

I think what most people are asking for when they ask for global shutter, is actually a read/reset rate that matches or exceeds 35mm film, to avoid the jello look. This is a function of the sensor and CPU, so really what I hope is that the CMOS sensor can get the read/reset down to the level of Red Epic, or Alexa. Then I have the feel of film without the video feel of global shutter.

My 2c :D

Cheers from Berlin,

Paul :)
 
What I really want is a GREAT replacement for the AF100. Needs all the bells & whistles of the original but with a properly placed pro caliber EVF, & broadcast compliant specs, which fits into an international travel sized rolling case with room leftover for lenses, accessories, & a GH body.
 
mcbob said:
17. Fix the freaking timecode so that it makes any sense whatsoever to use/sync free-run timecode with other cameras.
18. A WELL-integrated XLR adapter/breakout box would be nice, too.

I second everything except the global shutter... a nicety, but I'd prefer higher sensitivity if that was the tradeoff. Really, this little guy still kicks ass... the improvements don't have to be monumental.
Click to expand...
Agreed with #17 & 18. Also, I would only want global shutter if it's not at the expense of high ISO performance. And, yes, the GH4 still kicks ass. I just want it to be perfect. :)

TheDingo said:
...I think you might see almost everything on your list within 5 years, but that won't be a GH5 camera, more likely a GH8 camera. :-)
Click to expand...
You're probably right. One can dream, though!

npm said:
9. Use shutter angle
Click to expand...
Doesn't the same thing happen if you accidentally touch the shutter scroll wheel while in shutter angle mode? It'll go from 180 degrees to something else, which changes the feel of the shot.

True North said:
I think the GH4 is an incredible camera especially for the money. My only real wish would be significantly better low light performance - to me it is the only thing truly holding this camera back. I use the word significant because they touted the GH4 as having improved low light performance over the GH3 and while that may be technically true it wasn't a significantly noticeable improvement. With my Sigma 18-35 on a speedbooster, I can get very acceptable low light performance but it should and could be so much better IMHO.

On a less important but would still like to have it wish, I would really like 4K 60P internal recording.

I can see both of the aforementioned happening in a GH5.

I don't know if Panny has the tech to do a back-lit sensor like on the NX1 but that would certainly help with low light performance.
Click to expand...
Yes, if we only get one improvement in the GH5 over the GH4 I'd want it to be better high ISO performance. Everything else is secondary, to me.

astromann said:
My List is
Solid Firmware upgrade with V-Log and extra anamorphic options for the Gh4.....so I wont have to buy a GH5 and spend more money where its not needed!
Click to expand...
Would certainly love that as well!

IronFilm said:
ND filters is top of the list, no doubt about it!
Next is dual SD card slots.
Next is XLR integration, yet still in a total small form factor (not the current big huge add on, none of that).

Basically, the best bits of a C100 and GH4 combined together.
Click to expand...
I'm sure they can make an XLR adapter the size of their current battery grip if they wanted to. That would be fantastic.

Vesku said:
I am sure they will add very fine and high tech features but they still will forget some some basics as always.

I would be happy if they can finally make basic exposure modes work as they should. It would be also nice if they can make the camera show exposure values while shooting. Some experienced user would be happy to know what the camera is doing during video exposure :) Stepless aperture change would be good too. AE/AF lock should work like in other cameras (on/off/on/off...).

Many important menus should have FN use option. Why make so many function buttons and then not be able to use menus I want with them.

With so many features it would help if I could save the whole camera setup with names like "indoors", "outdoors", "sports"... Now with GH4 I must always spend time to program camera for different situations and save new settings to C-memories and delete previous settings.

All these are wishes for GH4 FW update too.
Click to expand...
Agreed on all counts.

Kit said:
Will the GH5 be presented at Nab ?
Click to expand...
Doubtful. I wouldn't expect a GH5 until the end of the year, at the earliest.

visceralpsyche said:
I don't get the love for global shutter.

I'm buying a digital movie camera to make it look like the movies. Celluloid film has had rolling shutter forever - it's part of the 'film feel', like 24p and film-like highlight rolloff.

I think what most people are asking for when they ask for global shutter, is actually a read/reset rate that matches or exceeds 35mm film, to avoid the jello look. This is a function of the sensor and CPU, so really what I hope is that the CMOS sensor can get the read/reset down to the level of Red Epic, or Alexa. Then I have the feel of film without the video feel of global shutter.

My 2c :D

Cheers from Berlin,

Paul :)
Click to expand...
It's mostly to eliminate jello and other rolling shutter artifacts, yes, so increasing the read/reset rate would help a lot. But honestly film has issues with rolling shutter as well. I'd be happy to go to global shutter, provided it doesn't mess with low light sensitivity.

1027Films said:
FULL FRAME :) haha
Click to expand...
NOOOOO!!!!!!!!! :) There are plenty of full frame cameras out there. I don't want huge lenses.

Bern Caughey said:
What I really want is a GREAT replacement for the AF100. Needs all the bells & whistles of the original but with a properly placed pro caliber EVF, & broadcast compliant specs, which fits into an international travel sized rolling case with room leftover for lenses, accessories, & a GH body.
Click to expand...
That would be nice as well, but that should be a separate camera from the GH5. I love using small, DSLR-type cameras for what I do.
 
i'm with astromann... this is exactly what i would like. and as soon as possible.

astromann said:
My List is
Solid Firmware upgrade with V-Log and extra anamorphic options for the Gh4.....so I wont have to buy a GH5 and spend more money where its not needed!
Click to expand...
 
Since the sensor will likely not get any larger anytime soon I would like to see Panasonic take some steps to boost sensitivity. Mainly reduce the pixel count on the sensor which would take a hit for shooting stills but would really help when shooting 4k video. I'm not talking a major hit to stills but they would be reduced to 4096x2160. Still pretty large but not 16MP.

slightly larger pixels means each one captures a little bit more light. This is really what super35mm and the A7S do to really boost the sensitivity. DSLRs will always be at a disadvantage because they are made with too many pixels to shoot stills. Pixels that in the case of the GH4 and 4k are basically thrown out and never used.

Other advantages.
1. Return to a 2x crop when shooting 4k.
2. Slightly better dynamic range.
3. Maybe a better binning process for shooting HD since it will be exactly 2:1.
 
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