GH5 Sensor Rattle While Recording Video

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dbmathis

Member
After extensive testing of this camera, there seems to be something wrong with the sensor. While on and recording video, the resulting footage, gimbal stabilized, with or without IBIS on, has sensor rattle sounds in it. The internal microphone is picking up the sound, which is quite loud. It’s also audible just holding the camera in my hand. I first thought it was the knobs on the gimbal so I taped them all down. Still rattling. Then, next I thought it was the camera strap triangle latches, so I removed them. Still rattling. So I took the lens off the camera, only body remaining, and with the camera on, gently shook the camera. Still rattling. I looked at the sensor and I can see it knocking up against the inside of the camera.

As I mentioned before in my other thread about this, the footage, if not using a gimbal, is completely unusable. Even with the gimbal (the Ronin-S), it's MUCH smoother, but there's shaking going on in the video.

Those who own the GH5, are you hearing the sensor rattling when on and recording video if you gently shake or move the camera?

Here’s a video I made a couple days ago where this can be heard in the resulting footage after being recorded using the Ronin-S.

https://youtu.be/2UES5VKcfAQ

Here’s a video someone else made who was having the same issue.

https://youtu.be/PnkuHC27nA0
 
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dbmathis said:
After extensive testing of this camera, there seems to be something wrong with the sensor. While on and recording video, the resulting footage, gimbal stabilized, with or without IBIS on, has sensor rattle sounds in it. The internal microphone is picking up the sound, which is quite loud. I first thought it was the knobs on the gimbal so I taped them all down. Still rattling. Then, next I thought it was the camera strap triangle latches, so I removed them. Still rattling. So I took the lens off the camera, only body remaining, and with the camera on, gently shook the camera. Still rattling. I looked at the sensor and I can see it knocking up against the inside of the camera.

As I mentioned before in my other thread about this, the footage, if not using a gimbal, is completely unusable. Even with the gimbal (the Ronin-S), it's MUCH smoother, but there's shaking going on in the video.

Those who own the GH5, are you hearing the sensor rattling when on and recording video if you gently shake or move the camera?

Can be heard here, while on the Ronin-S.

https://youtu.be/2UES5VKcfAQ
Click to expand...

Yours must be faulty,mine does not do anything you describe,brilliant camera.
 
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The audible noise is sharp edged but the bounce to the image looks normal. Take it off the gimbal, take away the foot stepping, put a non-stabilized lens on, make a recording by just shaking the camera up and down, just hard enough to reproduce the noise, not mix a martini.

The noise seems inconsistent with the image you filmed. The up and down bounce with the gimbal is due to technique. Holding the gimbal away from your body, arm outstretched minimizes the up-down bobbing. A gimbal has no vertical axis to correct that bounce, and when you hold it close to your body, the up/down of your steps transfers to the camera, but if your arm is outstretched it becomes a lever.

What I'm saying, is aside from the noise coinciding with the timing of the up/down bobbing movements, the noise seems too hard edged in relation to the visual image which seems dampened and soft. I would expect to visibly see the hard edged shocks as well as hear them if it was the sensor assembly. Not saying the camera is not making the noise but it might be something inside other than the sensor, inside the battery compartment or elsewhere, possibly someplace you can't see. But either way, you need to confirm it's within the camera because the noise sounds to me like the gimbal or lens can't be ruled out as the source.

If it really is the sensor assembly itself rattling around, it should be visibly most obvious at the extreme corners, which is where you should be looking. In your walking video, the corners seemed stable and the up/down movement with your steps looked like technique.

Use your widest angle non-stabilized prime lens if you have one, would be most ideal, the fewest moving parts to it.
 
Tom Roper said:
The audible noise is sharp edged but the bounce to the image looks normal. Take it off the gimbal, take away the foot stepping, put a non-stabilized lens on, make a recording by just shaking the camera up and down, just hard enough to reproduce the noise, not mix a martini.

The noise seems inconsistent with the image you filmed. The up and down bounce with the gimbal is due to technique. Holding the gimbal away from your body, arm outstretched minimizes the up-down bobbing. A gimbal has no vertical axis to correct that bounce, and when you hold it close to your body, the up/down of your steps transfers to the camera, but if your arm is outstretched it becomes a lever.

What I'm saying, is aside from the noise coinciding with the timing of the up/down bobbing movements, the noise seems too hard edged in relation to the visual image which seems dampened and soft. I would expect to visibly see the hard edged shocks as well as hear them if it was the sensor assembly. Not saying the camera is not making the noise but it might be something inside other than the sensor, inside the battery compartment or elsewhere, possibly someplace you can't see. But either way, you need to confirm it's within the camera because the noise sounds to me like the gimbal or lens can't be ruled out as the source.

If it really is the sensor assembly itself rattling around, it should be visibly most obvious at the extreme corners, which is where you should be looking. In your walking video, the corners seemed stable and the up/down movement with your steps looked like technique.

Use your widest angle non-stabilized prime lens if you have one, would be most ideal, the fewest moving parts to it.
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The steps are intended. I want the videos to mimic a walk. The floating effect was undesirable for this application. It’s the jello effect I dislike and I’ve seen this exact setup not produce this. I’m using the pana 8-18mm set at about 10mm in this video. The lens is not stabilized. It’s definitely the sensor rattling. Before posting this I stripped everything off the body including the lens and walked and got the same noise. As I walked the same noise I hear when I actually see the sensor slapping the inside of the camera was audible and was captured in the recording. It wasn’t the battery as I checked that too. The only thing rattling was the sensor.

No more tests as I’m returning it as defective. The sensor should not be rattling period when the camera is on, according to Panasonic.
 
If you do not want the IBIS then changing to the GH5S may be a better choice as that was one of the reasons for the GH5S not having the sensor move for gimbal use. Still have lens stabilizer if needed. I have both but do not have the sensor noise you report.
 
I went with the GH5 opposed to the S because I wanted to use it for stills too.

I am curious though. Why would Panasonic design a new camera to have no IBIS when it can simply be turned off in the GH5?
 
dbmathis said:
I went with the GH5 opposed to the S because I wanted to use it for stills too.

I am curious though. Why would Panasonic design a new camera to have no IBIS when it can simply be turned off in the GH5?
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For those using it on car rigs and those involving heavy movement. Even when not activated, the "floating" sensor of GH5 will move creating footage that is difficult to correct in post. A lot of DPs using on TV shows complained about this and some reverted back to the GH4 which did not have IBIS.
For "regular" use with no drastive and aggressive moves, the GH5 is ok.
 
Power is needed to hold the sensor still and for large sharp movements it is not enough to do that. So you cannot just turn it off it has to be told to not move rather than off. If there is no power to hold the sensor it will just move around as far as can tell. Off just means do not correct camera movement!!
 
Sounds like a design flaw. IBIS off should mean does not move, period, in my book. If it moves when IBIS is set to off (not the camera set off), then not ready to put on the market. For example have a physical locking mechanism the engages when IBIS is set off. To design a whole new camera just for no iS is BS. There were other reasons why we see a S version, such as better low light performance, etc. don’t believe everything you read or hear.

I bet those who bought the GH5 when it first came out to use on car rigs, etc, were surprised and pissed off to discover the shaky footage, and I don’t blame them!

I bought it because I thought I would get the best of both worlds, videos and stills, but now I’m having second thoughts. If my replacement GH5 still shoots video like a delicate little daisy, I might look at Sony or some other brand. Buying the GH5S for video when the GH5 is advertised as a video camera, is very off putting.
 
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dbmathis said:
Sounds like a design flaw. IBIS off should mean does not move, period, in my book. If it moves when IBIS is set to off (not the camera set off), then not ready to put on the market. For example have a physical locking mechanism the engages when IBIS is set off. To design a whole new camera just for no iS is BS. There were other reasons why we see a S version, such as better low light performance, etc. don’t believe everything you read or hear.

I bet those who bought the GH5 when it first came out to use on car rigs, etc, were surprised and pissed off to discover the shaky footage, and I don’t blame them!

I bought it because I thought I would get the best of both worlds, videos and stills, but now I’m having second thoughts. If my replacement GH5 still shoots video like a delicate little daisy, I might look at Sony or some other brand. Buying the GH5S for video when the GH5 is advertised as a video camera, is very off putting.
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I have found Panasonic's implementation of IBIS on the GH5 to be exemplary. Certainly class leading in this level of camera. Are there situations where it doesn't work? Yes, a few like trying to walk and hand holding a 2x anamorphic lens. :grin:

Other than that, no complaints here.
 
Ted Ramasola said:
For those using it on car rigs and those involving heavy movement. Even when not activated, the "floating" sensor of GH5 will move creating footage that is difficult to correct in post. A lot of DPs using on TV shows complained about this and some reverted back to the GH4 which did not have IBIS.
For "regular" use with no drastive and aggressive moves, the GH5 is ok.
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There will still be image warping to some degree even with no IBIS, due to sensor readout speed, i.e. rolling shutter.
 
Just checked mine - yes the sensor rattles when the camera is powered on and the IOS is one or off. You have to shake it quite hard to get the noise though and I'd never move it that much if I was shooting with it unless I was trying to run or walk very fast so it's a non issue for me at least.
 
Shirozina said:
Just checked mine - yes the sensor rattles when the camera is powered on and the IOS is one or off. You have to shake it quite hard to get the noise though and I'd never move it that much if I was shooting with it unless I was trying to run or walk very fast so it's a non issue for me at least.
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Thanks for this information. Mine rattled while on if I just tilt it back and forth. It’s especially bad if I shake it in any fashion, gentle or viciously. I’ve never viciously shaken it but one can extrapolate. I’m getting a new one early next week so I’ll write back here with my experience with the new one.
 
dbmathis said:
Thanks for this information. Mine rattled while on if I just tilt it back and forth. It’s especially bad if I shake it in any fashion, gentle or viciously. I’ve never viciously shaken it but one can extrapolate. I’m getting a new one early next week so I’ll write back here with my experience with the new one.
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Hope a replacement solves the problem for you.
 
Shirozina said:
Hope a replacement solves the problem for you.
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Just got back from Best Buy. Unfortunately the replacement GH5 had a worse rattle. Bought it, took it to my car, powered it on, IBIS was on, rocked the camera back and forth, very loud sensor rattle. Turned off IBIS, same rattle. Walked back into Best Buy and got a refund. The guy working there was shocked at how loud the rattle was. Sounded like dice rolling around in the camera. So disappointed. I guess I will save up for the GH5S, for video, and then the GH5 for stills.
 
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dbmathis said:
Sounds like a design flaw. IBIS off should mean does not move, period, in my book. If it moves when IBIS is set to off (not the camera set off), then not ready to put on the market. For example have a physical locking mechanism the engages when IBIS is set off. To design a whole new camera just for no iS is BS. There were other reasons why we see a S version, such as better low light performance, etc. don’t believe everything you read or hear.

I bet those who bought the GH5 when it first came out to use on car rigs, etc, were surprised and pissed off to discover the shaky footage, and I don’t blame them!

I bought it because I thought I would get the best of both worlds, videos and stills, but now I’m having second thoughts. If my replacement GH5 still shoots video like a delicate little daisy, I might look at Sony or some other brand. Buying the GH5S for video when the GH5 is advertised as a video camera, is very off putting.
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You can have your locking mechanism, if you want to add substantially to the price of the camera. And as far as not believing the reason they removed IBIS, that cam directly from a Panasonic Rep, so I guess you think he's lying. Or you can just go and get a Sony, only to find out they don't have a locking mechanism either.
 
estarkey7 said:
You can have your locking mechanism, if you want to add substantially to the price of the camera. And as far as not believing the reason they removed IBIS, that cam directly from a Panasonic Rep, so I guess you think he's lying. Or you can just go and get a Sony, only to find out they don't have a locking mechanism either.
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Yes, I would pay more for a locking mechanism. It’s cheaper than one camera for video and another for stills. Who said I didn’t believe why they removed it? It’s obvious that’s one of the main reasons, but it’s not the only reason for the existence of the GH5S. They added better low light, etc.

What I’m disappointed over is that the GH5 is marketed as a fantastic video camera and stills camera and I can’t use it as a video camera because every unit I buy has a sensor rattling around in it which is audible to a microphone.

Now if you read what I posted directly above you will find that I said I’m going to buy the GH5S (no half arsed IBIS) for video and MAYBE a Sony for stills (I actually edited and changed that to a GH5). I don’t care if the sensor is not locked down for stills as I’m holding the camera STILL. This is different from the post further back because I later decided to abandon IBIS for video. Another option for stills might be one of the other G cameras since I have pana glass.

One last thing to note, is that if I had decided to go with Sony, for video, not being locked down mechanically isn’t necessarily a problem if the sensor doesn’t make an audible to the mic rattling sound.
 
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To be fair for most users the IBS on the GH5 is nothing short of amazing. I shoot a lot in IS Lock mode and it has basically made my tripod redundant for a lot of work. The GH5 has been out for a long time now and there hasn't been many reports of this problem as I believe it's only associated with certain circumstances. Sony doesn't lock their sensor it just has a different IBS system that is BTW nowhere near as effective as the GH5's. Without sounding condescending - learn to walk more smoothly when using a gimbal or the IBS as this is common practice to avoid vertical motion anyway. At least the GH5 gives you an audible indication that you are not moving smoothly enough! Are you using the inbuilt mics or an external mic?
 
If you liked the camera and got a full refund, you can get one from B&H...the only IBIS problem I had was I did a slow handheld pan shot (With IS lock on)....The IBIS stuck before suddenly moving....commonly reported by all and operator error on my part. I read about guys getting dust on their sensors a lot, because of working in dusty conditions and I am amazed....I would also I shake a camera....nor would I drop a lens on purpose to see if it gets banged up! I'm not suggesting that you are doing this, but aside from the Olympus perhaps (I don't own one!) the GH5 IBIS to me is incredible....so even if you buy a new one from B&H and you gently rock the camera back and fourth and hear the sensor move, it's probable because it's suspended. And although I've never tried with mine and have never heard the sensor, even while recording sound ....if you want a new GH5, I suggest you buy from Hot Rod Camera....ask them to test the camera to establish whether it's behaving normally. Along with the AF discussions (this is not directed at you at all....your camera was faulty, period) there seems to be a "hold my hand while I use this extremely delicate and technically advanced equipment" ....the dust on a sensor article on another forum boggles my mind when that OP was describing changing lenses in a dusty windstorm and getting dust on his sensor!...though I'm dating myself now, film magazines were changed for just such a reason and for protecting the exposed film in a tiny tent by third or 4th assistant ...so if you like the GH5 (I would never sell mine) find one that works the way you want it to....I am now shopping for a used GH5s, as these two cameras make a perfect pair, and as M4/3 only has days to live before panasonic announces the end😂😂😂I will hopefully find one for half the price soon!
 
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