Video Star

When the Panasonic Lumix GH5S was launched, some people were puzzled. Jon Devo unpicks the diff erences between this new model and the GH5

- Jon Devo

There are some things we need to make clear about the Lumix GH5S. Firstly, it’s not an update of or replacement for the GH5. There are some distinct differences between the internal functions and features of the two bodies, but they share a lot in common on a superficial level.

With the ability to record professional standard Cinema 4K 10-bit 4:2:2 video at up to 400Mbps, variable frame rate video for dramatic slow-motion footage, fl at V-log and HLG modes, both the Lumix GH5 and GH5S are designed to appeal to those who shoot video. However, the GH5 sports a highsensitivity 20.3-megapixel Micro Four Thirds Live MOS sensor with a pixel pitch of 3.34 microns, 12fps continuous shooting, 6K-photo mode and IBIS, making it a superb all-rounder for photographers with video as a secondary interest. But responding to feedback from professional videographers and production companies, Panasonic decided to tilt the balance of the GH5S significantly more in favour of video-focused users.

Optimised for video pros

The GH5S has a slightly larger than Micro Four Thirds 12.5MP multi-aspect sensor, with a pixel pitch of 4.51 microns, which offers 10.2MP crops within the standard Micro Four Thirds imaging circle. The advantage of this is that the field of view is not cropped when recording native 17:9 ratio DCI and UHD 4K video, with the additional benefit of improved image quality and low-light video performance.