Panasonic LUMIX GH5S

There was a time when ‘still’ cameras were capable of taking short videos and video cameras could take reasonable pictures.  But these markedly different beasts are now completely interchangeable and the high specification cameras are capable of taking video every bit as good as purpose-built video camera, while still offering exceptional performance in stills photograph too.

Panasonic have hit the ground running here with the introduction of the Lumix GH5S hybrid, with extensive video-recording capabilities alongside excellent image capture, creating a camera with the best ever sensitivity alongside stunning video image quality.

Unlike the G9, the GH5S relies solely on the contrast-detect auto-focus (AF) system, which is certainly still brisk, while also being able to focus in light levels as low as -5EV, which is darker than moonlight.  As well as Multi AF there's also a Custom Multi mode, which enables you to freely select the AF-area group, or Zone AF, in which the focus area group size and position can be modified.

For video the GH5S sports what Panasonic are calling a 'Focus Transition' mode. This allows you to define up to three focus depths before you begin recording, then switch between them as you shoot. So you might have different subjects – actors, wild animals, circus performers etc – and can quickly and reliably switch between them.  You can also choose the focus transition speed, with five, step variations, so you can opt for smooth transitions or snappy changes in focus depending on what you need for your capture.

If you're focusing manually (something you would expect to see users doing a lot with the Lumix GH5S), then there are a few focus peaking options available to you. These include both high- and low-intensity options, as well as the option to have the highlights edges shown in green, yellow, cyan, pink, or white

With the new Dual Native ISO technology and a maximum ISO of 51200, the GH5S is capable of capturing video in low-light environments without additional background noise ruining the feed.

The GH5S can be driven through Timecode In/Out, with setting carried out via the supplied coaxial cable connected to the flash synch terminal with BNC connectors.  In this way, the Lumix GH5S can be used as a timecode generator for all manner of auxiliary equipment such as other GH5S models or professional camcorders allowing expert connections between multiple devices to create a multi-camera studio.

The Multi Aspect Ratio function will give both photographers and videographers the same diagonal field of view across the 4:3, 17:9, 16:9 and 3:2 aspect ratios, allowing the user to switch between aspect ratios easily in editing and post production.  Capture is enhanced too with the GH5S’s ability to shoot in 14-bit RAW.  Furthermore, the GH5S is the first mirrorless camera capable of recording in 4K 60P/50P video in Cinema 4K (4096 x 2160), and is also able to internally record 4:2:2 10-bit for striking colour reproduction, and V-Log is pre-installed and ready to use.

Astoundingly, the GH5S also records 4:2:2 10-bit 400-Mbps All-Intra in 4K 30p/25p/24p and C4K 24p and 200-Mbps All-Intra in Full-HD, putting it in the same bracket as many high-end specialist video cameras. The integral variable frame rate (VFR) lets users record over-cranked/under-cranked (time-slowed or sped-up) video in C4K/4K (60 fps, maximum 2.5x slower in 24p) and FHD (240 fps5, maximum 10x slower), so that you can add these effects in with minimal effort.
The GH5S has a good-sized Live View Finder (LVF) with a whopping magnification ratio of around 1.52x/0.76x (35mm camera equivalent) providing smooth display at 120 fps.

A high-precision, high-speed OLED display features a massive 3,680K-dot resolution and 100% field of view (FOV). Depth from Defocus (DfD) technology and ultra-high-speed digital signal processing helps the camera achieve fast auto-focusing of around 0.07 seconds and 12 (AFS) 7 / 8 (AFC) fps in 12-bit RAW and 11 (AFS) / 7 (AFC) fps in 14-bit RAW when shooting high-speed bursts. The 4K PHOTO mode enables 60 fps high-speed capture in approximately 8-megapixel equivalent resolution, so you are assured of always getting the shot that you want.

Dropping down from 50fps and 60fps 4K capture also forces you to drop from 10-bit down to 8-bit, and the end result looks more compressed and less natural, but is still very sharp when viewed from a normal distance. Added to the video functions you have slo-mo - specifically 240fps in Full HD - and smooth slo-mo playback at 4K and 1080p to play with too. The video options available on the GH5S are incredibly impressive, and that’s without adding any optional extras. You can shoot superior video straight from the camera, in almost any light conditions.

The 3-inch moveable/settable touchscreen is handy for setting focus points with the tap of a finger, and it lets you tweak other functions too. You can flip it out to the side and even rotate it to face frontwards, which is potentially very useful for vloggers and selfie addicts, and remains bright and clear enough to be genuinely useful outside on a sunny day. If you do find the glare a little too much or you want to look more professional, you can switch to the excellent OLED viewfinder instead. Big, crisp, clear and completely lag-free, it’s a joy to use whether you’re reviewing your old shots or composing new ones. When using either the screen and viewfinder, you get a range of display options to cycle through, including a handy on-screen level to ensure you’re not shooting with a distracting canted frame.

The sturdy metal body is weatherproof – it can withstand dust, splashes of water and temperatures of up to -10 degrees Celsius – and mostly clad in a textured rubbery material to aid grip, and it is light enough to not be a problem, even if carried with a large lens fitted and for long periods of time.

Like the G9, the GH5S has dual multi-functional SD card slots so storage or back-up shouldn’t ever be a problem, but if it is you have both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth as means of transfer too, so you shouldn’t yourself without an option.