Panasonic Lumix GH5

Manufacturer: Panasonic
Type: camera — Micro Four Thirds mirrorless
Year introduced: 2017
Sensor: 20.3MP Digital Live MOS (no low-pass filter)
Key specs: 4K 60p/50p video, 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording at 4K 30p, 5-axis Dual I.S. 2, 12fps burst, 6K Photo mode, 225-area DFD autofocus
ISO range: 200–25,600
Price at launch: $1,999.99 (body only)
Variants: GH5 (2017), GH5S (2018), GH5 Mark II (2021)

Overview

The Panasonic Lumix GH5 is a 20.3-megapixel Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera announced at CES in January 2017 and released in late March 2017 ([1]). Panasonic described it as the world’s first DSLM camera to achieve 4K 60p/50p video recording and the first interchangeable-lens camera to offer internal 4:2:2 10-bit recording at 4K 30p — capabilities previously found only in significantly more expensive cinema cameras ([2]).

For underwater videographers, the GH5 represented a transformative step forward. As Nauticam noted in their housing announcement, “Panasonic hybrid camera systems have revolutionized all levels of motion imaging capture” and “the video camera of choice for underwater filmmakers has undergone an incredible transformation in recent years. It has become the Panasonic GH5” ([3]). The camera’s 4:2:2 10-bit color sampling meant it could “capture twice the color information with 64x the precision of a 4:2:0 8-bit system,” providing substantially more latitude for color grading in post-production ([4]).

The Micro Four Thirds system offered a compact body and lens ecosystem, and the 2x crop factor was manageable when using wide-angle lenses. The GH5 was shown at major trade shows throughout 2017 including BOOT in Düsseldorf ([5]), the Photography Show in Birmingham where Panasonic had it on display ([6]), ADEX Singapore ([7]), and DEMA 2017 in Orlando ([8]).

Key specifications

The GH5’s new Digital Live MOS Sensor increased the pixel count by 25% compared to the GH4, from 16.05 to 20.3 megapixels, and removed the low-pass filter for improved sharpness. When shooting video, the GH5 reads the entire 5K-width sensor and resamples in-camera to create each 4K frame, resulting in increased sharpness with no change in lens angle of coverage ([9]). Key specifications included ([10]):

External recording

Atomos released a firmware update for their Shogun Inferno in February 2017 that enabled 4K 60p 10-bit 4:2:2 external recording with the GH5. News Shooter described the combination as providing “high-bitrate Apple ProRes recording at a better bit depth and frame rate than any other mirrorless competitor” ([12]).

In March 2017, Atomos announced the Ninja Inferno HDR 4K60p monitor/recorder at $995, designed specifically to record 4K 60p ProRes output over HDMI from the GH5. Atomos CEO Jeromy Young stated: “For less than $3k it’s an unbeatable total package especially when considering having 4K HDR content ready for clients, Netflix and YouTube is a must” ([13]).

Firmware updates

A major firmware update was announced in August 2017, available from end of September 2017. It added significant capabilities ([14]):

Housing ecosystem

The GH5 attracted housings from six manufacturers within its first year, reflecting the camera’s importance to the underwater video market.

Ikelite 200DL

Ikelite was first to announce a housing, releasing their 200DL housing for the GH5 in February 2017, before the camera itself had shipped. The housing was depth-rated to 200 feet (60m), priced at $1,695 MSRP. It featured Ikelite’s new Dry Lock (DL) port system, a vacuum valve, ICS-5 bulkhead connector with manual hotshoe, and ABS-PC/Lexan construction. The housing weighed 5.1 lb (2.3 kg) and was made in the USA. Ikelite noted that the GH5 was not compatible with older GH3/GH4 housings ([15]).

Nauticam NA-GH5

Nauticam shipped the NA-GH5 housing on May 5, 2017, priced at $2,650. Crafted from aircraft aluminum with a 100m depth rating, it weighed 2.36 kg and featured ([16]):

Sealux CSGH5

Sealux shipped their CSGH5 housing in July 2017. CNC-milled from a single block of seawater-proof aluminum, anodized and powder-coated, it was rated to 90 meters. The housing featured a large bayonet to accommodate wide-diameter lenses, an HDMI port for external monitor use, optional N5 or S6 strobe bulkheads, and compatibility with Sealux LD and GV viewfinders. The grip rail was adjustable and detachable. Measurements: 207mm x 156mm x 105mm, 2.5 kg ([17]).

Aquatica AGH5

Aquatica announced the AGH5 housing on July 21, 2017, priced at $1,799, shipping from late August 2017. Building on the earlier GH4 housing design, it featured improved ergonomics including a redesigned shutter lever, ISO and White Balance levers positioned under the thumb, and easy access to Fn2 and Fn5 programmable buttons. Notable features included ([18]):

Acquapazza APSO-GH5

Acquapazza released prototype details of their GH5 housing in September 2017. The housing featured distinctively adjustable handles that could be set to vertical, horizontal, or 45-degree angles. It used a 100mm diameter dome for compact fisheye lenses, double O-ring seals on the main closure, 10mm polished push-button controls with laser-etched function labels, and compatibility with Inon viewfinders. It supported both the Panasonic DMW-FL70 flash (for TTL) and the LSS2 LED Strobe System as triggers. The housing was exhibited at DEMA 2017 with its safety locking system ([19], [20]).

Nauticam NA-GH5SV (2021)

In July 2021, Nauticam released the NA-GH5SV, a video-centric revision of the NA-GH5 housing that supported all three GH5-family cameras (GH5, GH5S, and GH5 Mark II). Priced at $3,189, it added HDMI 2.0 output via a new M28 bulkhead (supporting 4K 60p 10-bit 4:2:2 output to the Atomos Ninja V in a Nauticam housing), angled handles for video ergonomics, integrated tripod mounting points, and a lever for quick access to custom white balance presets — a feature especially useful for underwater videographers switching between depth-specific color settings during a dive ([21]).

TTL strobe solutions

UW Technics TTL board (Nauticam)

UW Technics shipped a dedicated TTL conversion board for the GH5/GH5S in Nauticam NA-GH5 housings in March 2019, priced at $380. The combined circuit offered both optical (via fiber optic cables) and electrical TTL triggering on a single board. It supported Inon Z-330/Z-240/D-2000, Sea&Sea YS-250/YS-D1/YS-D2, Ikelite DS-161/DS-160, and Subtronic Pro-270 strobes. A unique feature allowed manual control of strobe intensity from 1/64 to full power using the camera’s control wheel, so photographers could adjust flash output without touching the strobe body. The board required no onboard battery and could be user-installed in approximately one minute ([22]).

An earlier version of the UW Technics TTL converter for Panasonic mirrorless cameras (compatible with Nauticam housings) was also available from March 2019 ([23]).

Ikelite DL3 TTL converter

In June 2019, Ikelite released an external DL3 DS Link TTL converter compatible with Panasonic cameras including the GH3, GH4, GH5, and GH5S (among others). Available with either Nikonos N5 or Ikelite ICS-5 connections, it provided TTL exposure with compatible Ikelite DS-model strobes ([24]).

Use in professional productions

The GH5 found use in high-profile productions. During the filming of National Geographic’s Hostile Planet series, the production team built a custom “remote focus, iris and zoom GH5 carbon fiber pole cam,” though it was lost off an ice shelf before being deployed. The series primarily used RED Helium cameras in GATES housings, but the GH5’s compact form factor and video capabilities made it suitable for specialized camera platforms ([25]).

Underwater video performance

Underwater videographer Massimo Franzese tested the GH5 extensively with Keldan Spectrum filters and the Nauticam WWL-1 wet wide-angle lens. He found that the -2 Spectrum filter allowed shooting at 1/50, ISO 200, 24p, f/8 to f/11, producing “super crisp and vibrant” results with excellent color balance between foreground subjects and background divers. However, he noted that the GH5’s high ISO performance was “not good enough” for the -4 stop filter, suggesting that users of larger-sensor cameras might find the stronger filter more useful at depths between 10 and 20 meters ([26]).

Community discussion

The GH5 and its variants maintained a strong following in the Wetpixel community well into the 2020s. Forum discussions covered topics including upgrading from the GH5 to the GH5S for better low-light performance, with community members noting that the GH5 had “always been the market leader” in image stabilization — a capability lost when switching to the GH5S. One experienced user (Interceptor121) noted using the GH5 at ISO 800–1000 at f/5.6 for deep dives, describing the low-light performance as adequate for their needs. The same user chose to upgrade to the GH5 Mark II rather than the GH5S, specifically because of the dual stabilization system’s importance for handheld macro video work with the WWL-1B lens ([27]).

The GH5 was also discussed in the context of compact video setups, external monitor configurations, and as a comparison point when evaluating newer cameras. As late as 2022, some photographers were still considering upgrading to the GH5 from compact cameras ([28]).

GH5S variant

The Panasonic Lumix GH5S was announced at CES in January 2018 as a video-focused companion to the GH5. It shared the same body design but featured a fundamentally different 10.2-megapixel multi-aspect sensor with Dual Native ISO technology (ISO 400 and 2,500 base values), borrowed from Panasonic’s professional VariCam cinema line. The camera achieved native ISO up to 51,200 and offered -5EV low-light autofocus capability ([29]).

Key differences from the GH5:

The GH5S was compatible with existing Nauticam NA-GH5 housings and the later NA-GH5SV housing ([30]). The UW Technics TTL board was also compatible with both GH5 and GH5S ([31]).

GH5 Mark II

The Panasonic Lumix GH5 Mark II (GH5M2) was announced in May 2021 as an evolution of the original GH5, priced at $1,699.99. It retained the 20.3MP sensor but added an anti-reflective coating and the latest Venus Engine processor. Key improvements over the GH5 included ([32]):

The GH5 Mark II was compatible with the Nauticam NA-GH5SV housing and most GH5 accessories including the Battery Grip DMW-BGGH5, XLR Microphone Adaptor DMW-XLR1, and Shutter Remote Control DMW-RS2 ([33]). Panasonic simultaneously announced the development of the GH6 ([34]).

Timeline

References

Sources

  1. Wetpixel article, Jan 4, 2017: Panasonic Announces The Gh5 Camera ↩
  2. Wetpixel article, Jan 4, 2017: Panasonic Announces The Gh5 Camera ↩
  3. Wetpixel article, May 5, 2017: Nauticam Ships Housing For Panasonic Gh5 ↩
  4. Wetpixel article, May 5, 2017: Nauticam Ships Housing For Panasonic Gh5 ↩
  5. Wetpixel article, Jan 27, 2017: Shoe Report Boot 2017 ↩
  6. Wetpixel article, Mar 22, 2017: Report The Photography Show 2017 ↩
  7. Wetpixel article, Apr 15, 2017: Report Imaging Products At Adex 2017 ↩
  8. Wetpixel article, Nov 2, 2017: Show Report Dema 2017 ↩
  9. Wetpixel article, May 5, 2017: Nauticam Ships Housing For Panasonic Gh5 ↩
  10. Wetpixel article, Jan 4, 2017: Panasonic Announces The Gh5 Camera ↩
  11. Wetpixel article, May 5, 2017: Nauticam Ships Housing For Panasonic Gh5 ↩
  12. Wetpixel article, Feb 8, 2017: Firmware Updates Allows 4k 60p With Shogun Inferno And Gh5 ↩
  13. Wetpixel article, Mar 23, 2017: Atomos Announces Ninja Inferno Monitor Recorder ↩
  14. Wetpixel article, Aug 30, 2017: Panasonic Announces Firmware Update For Gh5 ↩
  15. Wetpixel article, Feb 23, 2017: Ikelite Releases Housing For Panasonic Lumix Gh5 ↩
  16. Wetpixel article, May 5, 2017: Nauticam Ships Housing For Panasonic Gh5 ↩
  17. Wetpixel article, Jul 12, 2017: Sealux Ships Housing For Gh5 ↩
  18. Wetpixel article, Jul 21, 2017: Aquatica Announces Agh5 Housing ↩
  19. Wetpixel article, Sep 4, 2017: Acquapazza Releases Details Of Housing For Gh5 ↩
  20. Wetpixel article, Nov 2, 2017: Show Report Dema 2017 ↩
  21. Wetpixel article, Jul 2, 2021: Nauticam Ships Housing For Panasonic Gh5 Camera Family ↩
  22. Wetpixel article, Apr 29, 2019: Uw Technics Ships Ttl Board For Panasonic Gh5 ↩
  23. Wetpixel article, Mar 12, 2019: Uw Technics Ships Ttl Converter For Panasonic Cameras ↩
  24. Wetpixel article, Jun 13, 2019: Ikelite Releases Ttl Converter For Olympus And Panasonic ↩
  25. Wetpixel article, May 1, 2019: Hostile Planet Filmmakers Interview Part 2 ↩
  26. Wetpixel article, May 6, 2019: Review Keldan Spectrum And Ambient Filters By Massimo Franzese ↩
  27. Forum thread: Gh5 Upgrade To Gh5s In 2023 ↩
  28. Wetpixel article, Mar 4, 2022: Video Gh6 For Uw Filmmakers By Matthias Lebo ↩
  29. Wetpixel article, Jan 8, 2018: Panasonic Announces The Lumix Gh5s ↩
  30. Wetpixel article, Jul 2, 2021: Nauticam Ships Housing For Panasonic Gh5 Camera Family ↩
  31. Wetpixel article, Apr 29, 2019: Uw Technics Ships Ttl Board For Panasonic Gh5 ↩
  32. Wetpixel article, May 25, 2021: Panasonic Announces The Gh5 Mark 2 ↩
  33. Wetpixel article, May 25, 2021: Panasonic Announces The Gh5 Mark 2 ↩
  34. Wetpixel article, May 25, 2021: Panasonic Announces The Gh5 Mark 2 ↩
  35. Wetpixel article, Jan 4, 2017: Panasonic Announces The Gh5 Camera ↩
  36. Wetpixel article, Jan 27, 2017: Shoe Report Boot 2017 ↩
  37. Wetpixel article, Feb 8, 2017: Firmware Updates Allows 4k 60p With Shogun Inferno And Gh5 ↩
  38. Wetpixel article, Feb 23, 2017: Ikelite Releases Housing For Panasonic Lumix Gh5 ↩
  39. Wetpixel article, Mar 22, 2017: Report The Photography Show 2017 ↩
  40. Wetpixel article, Mar 23, 2017: Atomos Announces Ninja Inferno Monitor Recorder ↩
  41. Wetpixel article, Apr 15, 2017: Report Imaging Products At Adex 2017 ↩
  42. Wetpixel article, May 5, 2017: Nauticam Ships Housing For Panasonic Gh5 ↩
  43. Wetpixel article, Jul 12, 2017: Sealux Ships Housing For Gh5 ↩
  44. Wetpixel article, Jul 21, 2017: Aquatica Announces Agh5 Housing ↩
  45. Wetpixel article, Aug 30, 2017: Panasonic Announces Firmware Update For Gh5 ↩
  46. Wetpixel article, Sep 4, 2017: Acquapazza Releases Details Of Housing For Gh5 ↩
  47. Wetpixel article, Nov 2, 2017: Show Report Dema 2017 ↩
  48. Wetpixel article, Nov 8, 2017: Panasonic Announces The G9 Mirrorless Camera ↩
  49. Wetpixel article, Jan 8, 2018: Panasonic Announces The Lumix Gh5s ↩
  50. Wetpixel article, Mar 12, 2019: Uw Technics Ships Ttl Converter For Panasonic Cameras ↩
  51. Wetpixel article, Apr 29, 2019: Uw Technics Ships Ttl Board For Panasonic Gh5 ↩
  52. Wetpixel article, Jun 13, 2019: Ikelite Releases Ttl Converter For Olympus And Panasonic ↩
  53. Wetpixel article, May 25, 2021: Panasonic Announces The Gh5 Mark 2 ↩
  54. Wetpixel article, Jul 2, 2021: Nauticam Ships Housing For Panasonic Gh5 Camera Family ↩
  55. Panasonic announces the GH5 camera (article) ↩
  56. Show Report: BOOT 2017 (article) ↩
  57. Firmware update allows 4K 60P with Shogun Inferno and GH5 (article) ↩
  58. Ikelite releases housing for Panasonic Lumix GH5 (article) ↩
  59. Report: The Photography Show 2017 (article) ↩
  60. Atomos announces Ninja Inferno Monitor/Recorder (article) ↩
  61. Report: Imaging Products at ADEX 2017 (article) ↩
  62. Nauticam ships housing for Panasonic GH5 (article) ↩
  63. Sealux ships housing for GH5 (article) ↩
  64. Aquatica announces AGH5 housing (article) ↩
  65. Panasonic announces firmware update for GH5 (article) ↩
  66. Acquapazza releases details of housing for GH5 (article) ↩
  67. Show report: DEMA 2017 (article) ↩
  68. Panasonic announces the G9 mirrorless camera (article) ↩
  69. Panasonic announces the Lumix GH5S (article) ↩
  70. UW Technics ships TTL converter for Panasonic cameras (article) ↩
  71. UW Technics ships TTL board for Panasonic GH5 (article) ↩
  72. Hostile Planet Filmmakers Interview - Part 2 (article) ↩
  73. Review: Keldan Spectrum and Ambient Filters by Massimo Franzese (article) ↩
  74. Ikelite releases TTL converter for Olympus and Panasonic (article) ↩
  75. Panasonic Announces the GH5 Mark 2 (article) ↩
  76. Nauticam Ships Housing for Panasonic GH5 Camera Family (article) ↩
  77. Video: GH6 for UW Filmmakers by Matthias Lebo (article) ↩
  78. Forum: GH5 upgrade to GH5s in 2023? (forum) ↩