Panasonic, last year, introduced a brand new 'king' of mirrorless cameras. The GH5 was an incredible fusion of technology in photography and videography.
The 20.1 megapixel sensor was paired with a brand new processor giving an absolutely unimaginable 10bit 4:2:2 image from a camera body which was a fraction of the size and price of any other camera available.
Now it seems that Panasonic are taking a leaf out of Sony's book ( A7 / A7s ) style - and we've not got the Panasonic Gh5-s.
If you'd like the specs :
10.2MP Sensor
Dual Native ISO 400-2500 ISO
Max 51,200 ISO Double of the GH5
Multi-aspect sensor 4:3, 17:9, 16:9, and 3:2
14bit RAW stills
4K 60/50p recording in Cinema 4K (4096 x 2160)
240 frames per second in Full HD
V-Log Included
Timecode In/out
Live View Boost
Line level Audio available
That's way higher than the current GH5 - if you check out the video above you can get a small sample shot by Panasonic to demonstrate these ranges - which should be much less noisier.
The camera features Panasonics dual-native ISO feature ( 400 / 2500 ) - which activates some tech that dynamically switches between the two. A nifty trick from it's older brother, the EVA-1
According to Steve Dent from Engadget.com - the performance on stage upto ISO 12,800 'bested' the performance from an A7S.ii.
An A7S.ii.
We'll believe that when we see it, but an exciting statement nevertheless.
With an additional mode of 240fps in slow mo available at full HD and V-Log included, these features make this an absolute monster for professional video users - It even now includes a timecode input through the flash port.
BUT....and there's always a but...
As I mentioned before with that 10.2mp sensor - This camera isn't a stills camera anymore. Which is a shame, because I love my GH5 stills, they look incredible. The RAW photo files are now 14-bit, but I don't think that really makes up for it.
Panasonic have also added an optical low-pass feature - which may see a slight reduction in sharpness.
But the biggest drawback on this camera, is the elimination of the IBIS (in-body-image-stabilisation).
I just don't understand why this feature has been taken out - it is probably my favourite feature of the GH5 - my Olympus 40mm-150mm f/2.8 pro lens is so steady at the long end and to take that away is a proper drawback.
SHOULD YOU LOOK INTO GETTING THIS CAMERA?
Whilst this is exactly the kind of toy that I'd want to have in my arsenal, it's not essential. I can create great images without the low-light geared sensor.
The GH5 is an incredible camera, and if you intend to use video in particularly dark environments then this may be the camera for you.
But that's not me, I'm a hybrid shooter. I'd prefer to have IBIS any day, and much higher resolution photos.
and for £2,200 it's not something I'm particularly in a rush to go out and buy. Rent maybe? but not buy.
Still, if you've been waiting to see what this will bring (after all, it's been heavily rumored) - then just bare in mind, I can imagine a lot of people selling their GH5 for this.
It's now more a battle between GH5 vs a7, and GH5s vs A7s.