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It's almost hard to believe that it's only been eight years since DSLR revolution, when stills cameras introduced the ability to shoot professional-quality cinematic video. Today you'd be hard pressed to find a filmmaker under the age of 30 who didn't first cut their teeth using a DSLR. While these cameras were usually designed for taking photographs, and thus posed some serious usability issues, the image quality they produced was unparalleled at the price point and changed the course of an entire industry.
One of the very first cameras to make its mark in the DSLR filmmaking world was the Panasonic GH1. It was released back in 2009, and was really the first camera of its kind marketed equally to filmmakers as well as photographers. The camera was light, fast, easy to use and featured an impressive set of manual controls essential for great video work. The next year Panasonic released it's successor the GH2, which became a favorite of cinematographers who began using it on Hollywood feature films and documentaries.
With the subsequent releases of the GH3 and GH4 over the past few years, the line of cameras has only increased in popularity. The GH cameras have also found a home with many church film teams and independent video producers, thanks in large part to their continually impressive features and very competitive price points.
So when Panasonic took to the stage at the CES conference recently to announce the details of the highly anticipated Lumix GH5 we were all ears. While it won't be officially released until March, we believe it has the potential to make a huge impact moving into 2017. Let's take a closer look at what all the fuss is about.
Sometimes More is More
Right away it's clear that Panasonic is attempting to redefine what's possible for DSLR-style cameras with their announcement of the GH5. At the heart of this camera is the new Venus Engine, a powerful new processor that enables the GH5 to capture footage internally at an astonishing 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. To put this in context, until now that kind of performance has been reserved for cameras costing several times as much.
When the frame rate is dropped down to 30p or 24p the GH5 is capable of shooting 4K internally in 4:2:2 10-bit color space, providing significant latitude for color grading in post. The camera also films in 1080p at frame rates up to 180fps, allowing producers to film in super slow motion. Footage can be recorded in MOV, MP4 and AVCHD formats, with the option to record to two UHS-II SD cards simultaneously or in relay.
The GH5 also features a number of advanced video production technologies, including a 3.2-inch touchscreen for touch focus setting, five-axis image stabilization, advanced tracking and facial recognition, and wave form and Vectorscope monitoring. In addition, Panasonic is offering the DLW-XLR1, an optional dual-XLR for acquiring professional level audio directly to the camera.
First Impressions
Right away, it's clear that the Panasonic GH5 provides anyone involved in digital filmmaking reasons to get excited. This is the first time filming 4K at 60fps internally has been available at this price point, and it's an incredible headline upgrade. Just as important is the camera's ability to film 4K in 4:2:2 10-bit color space on a camera this portable and versatile. Slow motion HD at 1080p is just icing on the cake.
It is important to remember that the GH5 is still built on the Micro Four Thirds system, which features a smaller sensor than most DSLR-style camera. The drawback to this sensor size is that's it's somewhat more difficult to achieve the extremely shallow-depth-of-field look that full-frame sensors are capable of. This is certainly not a deal-breaker for most filmmakers, and many cinematographers who do a lot of documentary work actually considered the smaller MFT sensor size an advantage.
Just as importantly, at least in this writer's humble opinion, is that the GH5 looks like it would be an absolute blast to film with, especially in run-and-gun situations. Filmmaking is supposed to be enjoyable, and this camera is chock full of technologies like five-axis stabilization and auto-focus tracking that could make it even easier to get the shot you want in any situation. Plus, professional level audio inputs are simple to put on or take off, depending on your needs in the moment. Sometimes it's important to consider that the more of a hassle a camera is, the less likely you are to actually want to use it.
Closing Thoughts
While it's probably clear by now that we're excited about the Panasonic's newest offering, it's important to remember that this is simply a First Impression article and the product won't be available for another 60 days or so. In the future we hope to publish a more comprehensive hands-on review of the GH5, but until that time it's important to remember that amazing specs are only part of what make a great camera great.
Having said that, the GH5 may be exactly the kind of camera many churches have been waiting for. The Panasonic GH series cameras have already proved themselves in churches of all sizes and styles. They're compact, easy to use, and well suited for a number of different ministry filming styles, including narrative, documentary and concept projects. When you consider that the GH5 is priced right at the $2,000 mark (body-only), it could prove to be an ideal option for film teams looking to finally make the jump to 4K without breaking the bank.
A few of the aspects of the GH5 we're excited to explore in depth include the camera's overall performance, especially in low-light situations. The ISO setting reach as high as 25,600, and we're curious to see how well the footage holds up when filming in under-lit environments. The GH5 also introduces a number of new features like Post Focus, Fast Motion Focus and Hybrid Log for recording HDR footage (an announced firmware update coming Summer 2017), and we can't wait to put them through their paces.
Overall, the Panasonic Lumix GH5 promises to be a significant leap forward for a well-regarded industry favorite.
The Panasonic Lumix GH5 set to release in March with an announced price of $1,999 for the body only. Visit LumixLounge.com for more information.
