Panasonic
GH5S (Body Only)
Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera
The GH5S is a mirrorless micro four thirds digital camera from Panasonic, optimised for movie recording and low-light performance. Featuring a 10.28MP Digital Live MOS sensor and updated Venus Engine, the camera is capable of faster readout speeds along with 1.3x less rolling shutter distortion compared to previous GH-series cameras. It offers DCI and UHD 4K video recording at up to 60p, and the sensor's deliberately low resolution design, and subsequently larger pixel size, offers impressive low-light performance to an extended ISO 204800, along with Dual Native ISO technology at ISO 400 and ISO 2500.
Specifically geared for video shooting, the GH5S features a versatile and capable range of video specs, including the ability to internally record DCI 4K at up to 60 fps and 150 Mbps with 4:2:0 8-bit Long GOP; 30 fps and 150 Mbps with 4:2:2 10-bit Long GOP; and 24 fps and 400 Mbps with 4:2:2 10-bit ALL-I. UHD 4K recording is also supported along with Full HD at up to 240 fps for slow-motion playback. A full-size HDMI port is present on the camera for high-quality output at 4:2:2 10-bit in all settings for use with external monitors and recorders. The sensor's extended sensitivity range has also been used to promote working with V-Log L and Hybrid Log Gamma HDR modes for effectively increasing your dynamic range and affording more flexibility when colour grading during post-production.
Additional picture styles are available to provide a more gradable image, such as CINELIKE V and CINELIKE D, and an in-camera LUT make monitoring easier. Overcranking and undercranking Variable Frame Rate settings is also possible, providing speeds up to 2.5x slower in 4K (60 fps) and 7.5x slower in Full HD (240 fps). A 4K Anamorphic mode is also available, which allows recording in a proper 4:3 ratio for adjustment in post-production.
A BNC conversion cable is included for syncing time code settings with an external device for multi-camera setups; LINE input support is available via the 3.5mm mic input for using an external audio device; and the optional XLR Microphone Adapter provides XLR inputs and physical controls through a hot shoe connection. A standard microphones and headphones can also be added via the 3.5mm input and output jacks.
For stills shooting, the sensor and Venus Engine combination enable recording 14-bit raw files with a top continuous shooting rate of 12 fps with single-shot AF, or up to 8 fps with continuous autofocus. 4K PHOTO modes are also available for shooting 8MP stills at up to 60 fps, and the Depth-From-Defocus AF system uses 225 dedicated AF areas to quickly calculate the distance to subjects and adjust the focusing position, and is sensitive to -5 EV luminance for working in extreme low-light conditions. This contrast-detection type focus method benefits both still and video recording modes, as well as subject tracking applications where subject colour, size, and motion vectors are used to intelligently lock-onto the moving subjects and ensure precise focus. Benefitting manual focus operation, focus peaking is also available that highlights bright edges of contrast with a coloured outline for quickly recognising your focus point, as well as Touch MF Assist for touch-to-focus operation.
The GH5S is finished with a fully weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, and physical controls have been enhanced for easier tactile control. A large 3.68m-dot OLED electronic viewfinder provides high-resolution eye-level monitoring, and a rear 3.2" 1.62m-dot LCD touchscreen with free-angle movement suits working from high and low angles. The viewfinder and rear screen can also be adjusted to benefit working in low-light conditions. A Night Mode allows you to separately reduce the brightness of the screen and finder in order to maintain your night-adjusted vision. Alternatively, brightness can be boosted by lowering the frame rate and increasing the gain in live view for working in extremely dark situation. And, for manual focusing, an MF Assist feature lets you zoom into the scene by 20x for focusing on small subjects.
Dual UHS-II SD memory card slots are available for flexible file recording, with settings such as Relay Recording to automatically switch cards when one is full; Backup Recording, which records the same data to both cards simultaneously; and Allocation Recording, which lets you save certain files to each card for easier organisation. Additionally, built-in 5 GHz Wi-Fi connectivity with NFC and Bluetooth 4.2 Low Energy allow wireless image sharing and remote camera control from linked smartphones and tablets. Bluetooth LE also enables a constant connection to your mobile device, allowing for functions such as geolocation and automatic image transfer.