GH4 Second GH4 now or wait for GH5?

[David Del Real]

Considering purchasing a second GH4 body in a few weeks, should I wait for the GH5? I know there hasn't much in the leaks department but does anybody have any idea if the GH5 would be a different enough animal to warrant getting the GH4 instead for continuity? I know it's a reach to ask this but whatever.

 

[DLD]

I'd wait and see what the option on GH4 with the V-Log going to look like first.

 

[David Del Real]

Good point.

 

[IronFilm]

Doubt GH5 will arrive before end of this year, and it will be at a higher price too than the GH4.

 

[k0bayashi]

Panasonic will have a major announcement on Sep 1st and it wont be just about V-log on the GH4. Won't be surprised to see a Gh5 announcement then too.

 

[Steve Benjamin]

The GH2 the GH3 and the GH4 were all released approx two years apart, going on that ratio a GH5 wouldn't be released until middle of 2016 at the very earliest .

 

[brudney]

gh4 was released about a year and a half after gh3 (around march 2014), so I wouldn't be surpirsed if they announced gh5 soon, and maybe even release it by the end of the year.

 

[David W. Jones]

Do you need a camera now, or can you afford to wait?

 

[David Del Real]

Do you need a camera now, or can you afford to wait?

Was just asking myself that same question. I have some jobs coming up but I think I can wait a month or two before buying a second body becomes a necessity. Very interesting times indeed.

 

[Greg_E]

How much to rent one for those shoots that need it?

 

[homerc67]

Borrowlenses.com rents a GH4 for $58 plus shipping for a 3 day rental. I've just started using them and have been very satisfied.

 

[1027Films]

I have a MINT Gh4 for sale if you are interested! Let me know

 

[David Del Real]

I have a MINT Gh4 for sale if you are interested! Let me know

I have B&H store credit, otherwise I would consider it.

 

[1027Films]

Ah, no worries! Either way you go, gh4 or gh5, I'm sure you won't be disappointed, they are great cameras!

 

[John Godden]

Was just asking myself that same question. I have some jobs coming up but I think I can wait a month or two before buying a second body becomes a necessity. Very interesting times indeed.

Seems very unlikely the GH5 will be available in a couple months.

 

[David Del Real]

Seems very unlikely the GH5 will be available in a couple months.

True, it might not be available but we might at least get an announcement from Panasonic.

 

[DLD]

FWIW, first rumors about GH4 appeared in the fall of 2013, with the actual release about half a year later. Most rumored specs were correct, aside of the 200 Mbps recording bit rate in 4K.

 

[David Del Real]

True, and I can remember being very excited for the GH4. GH5 stuff has been very quiet though - not a good sign. Could be why V-Log is actually coming soon to the GH4.

 

[DLD]

Well, GH4 was such a giant leap in terms of 4K recording. The previous low-price champ was 1D C at $12,000. GH5 is expected to only have incremental improvements over GH4.

PS. I am of the opinion that GH5 can't have better specs than DVX200, regardless of whether it comes out of a different corporate branch and, if so, the improvements over GH4 will be marginal. The best case scenario is that Panasonic will go all out and release it with the 20 MPX sensor from GX8/DVX2000, with an oversampled 4K as in DVX200, and 10-bit 4:2:2 internal. But, I think, 10-bit is a long shot and a back side illuminated sensor is even a longer one.

 

[brudney]

GH5 is expected to only have incremental improvements over GH4.

Expected by whom?

Given the competition from Sony and Samsung, I expect it to be another leap forward. Or two.