PANASONIC LUMIX GH5 Body 4K Mirrorless Camera, 20.3 Megapixels, Dual I.S. 2.0, 4K 422 10-bit, Full Size HDMI Out, 3 Inch Touch LCD, DC-GH5KBODY (USA Black) (Renewed)
Overview
Released in January 2017, the LUMIX GH5 features a 20.3MP Micro Four Thirds Digital Live MOS sensor (no low-pass filter) and Venus Engine 10, delivering sharp stills and 4K 60p/50p (4:2:0 8-bit) or 4K 30p/24p (4:2:2 10-bit) video. Its 5-axis Dual I.S. 2.0 (up to 5 stops), weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, and full-size HDMI with cable lock make it a filmmaking powerhouse. The 3.2-inch touchscreen (1.62M dots) and 3.68M-dot OLED EVF enhance usability.
Specifications
- Sensor: 20.3MP Micro Four Thirds MOS, no low-pass filter
- Processor: Venus Engine 10
- ISO Range: 200–25,600 (extended 100)
- Autofocus: 225-area DFD contrast AF, 0.05s lock
- Burst: 12 fps (AFS), 9 fps (AFC)
- Video: 4K 60p/50p (4:2:0 8-bit, 150 Mbps), 4K 30p/24p (4:2:2 10-bit, 400 Mbps with firmware), 1080p 180 fps
- Stabilization: 5-axis Dual I.S. 2.0 (up to 5 stops)
- Display: 3.2-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 1.62M dots
- Viewfinder: 0.76x OLED EVF, 3.68M dots
- Size: 5.45 x 3.86 x 3.43 inches
- Weight: ~1.6 lbs (725g, body-only)
- Battery Life: ~410 shots (DMW-BLF19 battery)
- Age: Released January 2017 (~8 years old in 2025)
- Storage: Dual UHS-II SD slots
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi (5GHz), Bluetooth, USB 3.0, HDMI Type-A, 3.5mm mic/headphone
Pros
- Exceptional Video Quality: 4K 60p (4:2:0 8-bit) and 4K 30p (4:2:2 10-bit, 400 Mbps with firmware) deliver cinematic results with no crop, ideal for indie filmmakers, per Digital Photography Review.
- Robust Stabilization: 5-axis Dual I.S. 2.0 (up to 5 stops) supports handheld shooting, compatible with non-O.I.S. lenses, per Panasonic.com.
- Durable Build: Magnesium alloy body is splash-, dust-, and freeze-proof to 14°F, perfect for harsh conditions, per Best Buy.
- Lens Versatility: Micro Four Thirds mount supports 28+ Lumix/Leica lenses, with fast primes like the 42.5mm f/1.2, per Amazon.
- Pro Features: Full-size HDMI with cable lock, dual SD slots (UHS-II U3), and optional V-Log L ($99) enhance professional workflows, per B&H Photo.
- Affordable
- High Frame Rates: 1080p 180 fps for smooth slow-motion, unmatched in its class, per Amazon reviews (4.7/5, 1,500+ ratings).
Cons
- Weak Autofocus: Depth-from-Defocus (DFD) contrast AF struggles with tracking in video, less reliable than Sony’s phase-detection, per RTINGS.com.
- Low-Light Limitations: Micro Four Thirds sensor shows noise at ISO 3200+, underperforming vs. APS-C/full-frame, per Digital Photography Review.
- No Unlimited 4K Recording: 4K 60p clips limited to 10 minutes; 4K 30p to 30 minutes, per Cameralabs.
- Battery Life: 410 shots or ~90 minutes of 4K video, below competitors like Canon EOS R6 (600 shots), per Camera Decision.
- Aging Tech: At 8 years old, it lacks 4K 60p 10-bit and livestreaming of the GH5 II/GH6, per B&H Photo.
- Renewed Risks: Refurbished units may have wear or defects, though covered by Amazon’s 90-day guarantee, per Amazon.
- Complex Menus
Capacity and Performance
- Storage: Dual UHS-II SD slots support Relay, Backup, or Allocation Recording for flexible workflows, per Filmtools.
- Battery: DMW-BLF19 battery yields ~410 shots or ~90 minutes of 4K video; USB charging unavailable, per Cameralabs. Spare batteries recommended ($60 each).
- ISO Performance: Sharp at ISO 200–1600; noise at ISO 3200+ limits low-light video, per Amazon reviews.
- Autofocus: 225-area DFD AF locks in 0.05s for stills but struggles with video tracking, per RTINGS.com.
- Video: 4K 60p/50p (4:2:0 8-bit, 150 Mbps), 4K 30p/24p (4:2:2 10-bit, 400 Mbps with firmware); 1080p 180 fps for slow-motion, per B&H Photo.
- Stabilization: Dual I.S. 2.0 (5 stops) smooths handheld 4K with compatible lenses (e.g., Lumix 12-60mm), per Panasonic.com.
- Photo Modes: 6K Photo (18MP, 30 fps) and 4K Photo (8MP, 60 fps) extract stills from video, per Filmtools.
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