GH4 Panasonic GH5 coming in 2017

[filmguy123]

My wishlist would be:
• IBIS
• V-log
• Global Shutter
• Better low light performance (AKA cleaner at higher ISO)
• Cleaner slow-mo at 1080p up to 120fps, 4k at 60p?
• Speed Booster compatible (just got one a month ago finally!)

Add to this higher DR, and a higher resolution/larger LCD screen (think the SmallHD 502 built in) + Built in ND filters and I'd be extremely pleased. I wish instead of having a breakout box they would just make a GH5 and a "GH5 +/pro" that had the larger/higher res LCD, ND filters, and XLR/HD-SDI connectors in one integreated body. A $1600 and $3200 model if you will.

Buy a main GH5 +/Pro and then a couple standards for a full kit, or full low profile shooting options.

 

[tosvus]

Someone mentioned maybe the GH5 could go with the 20MP sensor of the GX8 and support 5K. The nice thing about that is you use more of the sensor area for the video. It would also be extremely useful for their 4k Photo -> 5k Photo mode. Another benefit is you have plenty of area to use for stabilization of the footage, more "zoom" when outputting 1080p etc.

I doubt it will happen this fast, but I think in light of recent Sony cameras (Full Frame! 4K! IBIS!), Panasonic is feeling the heat to provide some kind feature that is unique. Even though some of us appreciate that the GH4 is stable (no overheating etc), it's not easy to get a lot of good marketing around it vs a neat feature; "World's first consumer 5K camera!"

 

[Thomas Smet]

Someone mentioned maybe the GH5 could go with the 20MP sensor of the GX8 and support 5K. The nice thing about that is you use more of the sensor area for the video. It would also be extremely useful for their 4k Photo -> 5k Photo mode. Another benefit is you have plenty of area to use for stabilization of the footage, more "zoom" when outputting 1080p etc.

I doubt it will happen this fast, but I think in light of recent Sony cameras (Full Frame! 4K! IBIS!), Panasonic is feeling the heat to provide some kind feature that is unique. Even though some of us appreciate that the GH4 is stable (no overheating etc), it's not easy to get a lot of good marketing around it vs a neat feature; "World's first consumer 5K camera!"

By just upping the processor they could already do 4.6k resolution. Not a huge amount but enough for a bit of over sampling or reframing. Would be a pretty easy thing to add as another option next to 4k recording. Choose 4k recording to keep the native frame size or select 4.6k for a little extra to play with.

 

[DLD]

DVX200 has the same sensor as GX8 and they downscale 4K from 12.9 MPX .... which is roughly the double of what Alexa and Amira have in their open gate versions (~ 5.7 MPX, IIRC, then upsampled). So, resolution-wise, there's not much left for a sub-$2,000.

IMO, a big key for GH5 would be a BSI sensor, if they can get their hands on one. That should give it an extra stop and half/two stops. If then, on top of that, they could narrow the gap between the video and stills performances - currently at 2-2.5 stops that may be closer to 1-stop with V-Log Light, once released - then it'd be a big step for them too.

 

[lovecameras]

Lets hope a GH5 will be shooting 10bit with V-log

 

[John Godden]

Lets hope a GH5 will be shooting 10bit with V-log

The G5 will definitely "shoot" 10 bit with V-log but it very likely won't record that. i.e. external recording will likely be the only way to capture 10 bit. JMO......... rogar-Mad(DBG):

 

[Shenan]

I think that both IBIS and global shutter are pretty unlikely. IBIS because of overheating (at least in 4K), and global shutter because of reduced DR.

What I would like to see would be for them to adopt JVC's idea and actually use an APS-C / Super 35 (and BSI) sensor while still keeping the M43 mount. The GH4/GH5 is/will be facing stiff competition from Samsung NX1 (and a possible NX2) and from Sony's expected A6100/A7000, both with APS-C BSI sensors.

 

[DLD]

I think that both IBIS and global shutter are pretty unlikely. IBIS because of overheating (at least in 4K), and global shutter because of reduced DR.

New 14 nM chips are a lot more efficient than the older 22nM processors ... but this assumes that the on-sensor heat build up can be ameliorated.

What I would like to see would be for them to adopt JVC's idea and actually use an APS-C / Super 35 (and BSI) sensor while still keeping the M43 mount. The GH4/GH5 is/will be facing stiff competition from Samsung NX1 (and a possible NX2) and from Sony's expected A6100/A7000, both with APS-C BSI sensors.

That would be a gnarly idea but Panasonic and JVC have a pretty cozy relationship (with Panasonic/Matsus*%ta being a former owner of JVC), so GH5 may not want to jump into the LS-300 territory just yet. On the other hand, GH5 will be a DSLR style product and that may avoid competing with LS-300 on a technicality (and the price point, being about one half less).

PS. Hah!The DVX User censor doesn't like the (ex) names of the Japanese conglomerates.

 

[Stab]

What I would like to see would be for them to adopt JVC's idea and actually use an APS-C / Super 35 (and BSI) sensor while still keeping the M43 mount. The GH4/GH5 is/will be facing stiff competition from Samsung NX1 (and a possible NX2) and from Sony's expected A6100/A7000, both with APS-C BSI sensors.

What is the advantage of that actually?

 

[combatentropy]

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?330532-Jvc-4k&p=1986493349&viewfull=1#post1986493349

 

[Thomas Smet]

What is the advantage of that actually?

the short, adapted lenses could use a larger sensor while native m43 lenses could use a center portion. Basically its to make the camera use a larger sensor when using FF lenses. since the m43 mount can have just about anything adapted to it that makes sense to keep the mount. Plus Panasonic wouldn't want to alienate all the current m43 glass owners.

Its basically a bridge solution with the only benefit to those who use adapted lenses.

 

[Shenan]

Basically its to make the camera use a larger sensor when using FF lenses.

Also don't forget APS-C lenses (like the new / updated Veydras) and other Super 35 Cinema lenses.

If Panasonic played it right they could call it something like "Micro Four Thirds Extra (or Plus)" for the marketing factor, and then start releasing lenses that would cover the new larger sensors but still work with all existing M43 camera bodies. Then they would eventually be able to legitimately claim that they could directly compete in the APS-C market (which is large - I believe larger than FF) while still competing in and supporting the M43 market.

Also, this would allow them to really go wild with variable crop factor with M43 lenses and use more width of the sensor with each wider aspect ratio.

Finally, another advantage would be to silence people who complain about M43's 2x crop factor while using APS-C 1.5x crop.

Of course this plan is not without its flaws, since those M43+Extra lenses would most likely be slightly larger/heavier than a regular M43 lens.

 

[Jamil Yosufi]

Bigger body, Super 35 sensor, 4k 60p and most important is 10bit 4:2:2

 

[Greg_E]

I can't see them going for s35, their entire infrastructure of still based cameras is micro 4/3. Backlit sensor, faster readout, greater over sampling, greater dynamic range, and hopefully 4:2:2 internal to SD cards or Cfast cards will probably get them many more sales than s35. The only people that benefit from s35 will be all the people with adapted lenses and a change in sensor size might push a lot of people to a different brand. If you have to buy all new lenses anyway (the real expensive part of the system), then maybe it would be better to buy into a different system like Sony or Canon, or bigger Panasonic.

 

[DLD]

If Panasonic does make an s35 camera, it isn't likely to be in the GH5 body. It could be something like AF100 though.

And, in order to stick with the SD cards, they could easily do HEVC. With the Windows 10 release, most editing suits are now capable of handling it.

 

[hotchkiss]

A nice wish list indeed. However, the wind is let out of my sails when I consider that Panasonic will most likely put whatever improvements there may be into yet another DSLR form factor camera. Gee, I just can't get too excited about that.

The greatest improvement they could make would be to divorce themselves from the still camera architecture. A whole world of possibilities would be possible. It's 2015 and they are still trying to cram all of these features into a body style that has one hand tied behind it's back. Sadly, the DVX200 has a better form factor.... but has an ill-conceived lens spec. One huge bag of compromises vs another huge bag of compromises. They keep on shooting for the low end prosumer market. More emphasis on the "consumer" part of that equation than the "pro". I dunno, but I'm getting the feeling that they are never going to elevate M43 to any higher status than the DVX200's niche. If true, it's very frustrating and sad.

I would very much like to be proven wrong.

 

[Bassman2003]

I think you are right although I think the GH5 will be quite a camera. I am shooting 5DMKIII RAW and really won't move until something can match its color and editing capabilities. RAW is great. V-log is helping the Panasonic image but I have to agree, as long as we are using "still" cameras for video the compromises will continue. But I can't complain about a sub-$2,000 camera's specs if it is a still camera or not. My guess is Samsung will be first to put RAW video recording in a DSLR.

 

[hotchkiss]

I think you are right although I think the GH5 will be quite a camera. I am shooting 5DMKIII RAW and really won't move until something can match its color and editing capabilities. RAW is great. V-log is helping the Panasonic image but I have to agree, as long as we are using "still" cameras for video the compromises will continue. But I can't complain about a sub-$2,000 camera's specs if it is a still camera or not. My guess is Samsung will be first to put RAW video recording in a DSLR.

Agreed on most points: An outlier like JVC or Samsung will be the next market disrupter regarding raw or other similar improvements. That being said, raw is over rated for many and an additional pain in the butarsky for post IMO. The GH4 is a spectacular camera...for what it is. IMO, it's destined to be another classic Panasonic. I will keep mine for sometime to come, it punches way above it's weight class.

I'm not complaining about its capabilities as a sub 2k camera either. I'm complaining about Panasonic not offering a better alternative in the under 8k price range. I don't want another consumer camera that is one ergonomic nightmare after another. I want to pay more money for more camera and Panasonic doesn't seem interested. That's my frustration. Grrr.

 

[DLD]

... My guess is Samsung will be first to put RAW video recording in a DSLR...

This would need one heck of an internal SSD. (OK, Samsung, of course, makes these but they aren't cheap for the space they require). A far more interesting solution is something with an SDI out, such as FS5, and into an external recorder such as Shogun or Odyssey. That could/should be made today. The only question is the price point. The current low price leader - until URSA Mini comes out - is FS700 at $4,000. URSA Mini 4K (old URSA sensor) will do it for $3,000. Projecting into 2016 - four months to go still - Raw out of a sub-$2,000 camera looks like a possibility.

 

[combatentropy]

the wind is let out of my sails when I consider that Panasonic will most likely put whatever improvements there may be into yet another DSLR form factor camera. . . . they are still trying to cram all of these features into a body style that has one hand tied behind it's back.

I wonder about that body style. It has two big things going for it. First, photographers as well as moviemakers buy it. So economy of scale drives down the price. Second, its small size lets you grab footage on the street, subway, etc., more easily. In fact you're more likely to just have it with you to catch that great shot.

I look at the A7S with the XLR K2M atop and think it could work. If the screen was 4" (about as big as you can fit on the body, but just about right) and high resolution (say, at least 960x540, augmented by good focus peaking of course) that flips out like the GH4; okay then you make sure you let it record 10-bit 4:2:2 (totally technologically possible); then you somehow get decent battery life (that could be an external NP-960 or something on an attachment out the back); and I think you could put at least one thin glass of ND filter in there (make it electronic like the FS5 and one pane is all that you need) and don't you have an ENG-ready DSLR?