Panasonic DC GH5s Detailed Review

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In additional DC GH5s was introduced by Panasonic in January 2018. It belongs to the Mirrorless Cameras category.

Panasonic is well-known and shouldn’t require further introduction, please see our manufacturer’s page for more digital cameras by Panasonic.

Brand Panasonic
Category Mirrorless
Date 01/2018
Sensor Properties

The DC GH5s has a Four Thirds CMOS sensor with size of 17 x 13 mm² (0.68″ x 0.51″).

Picture of DC GH5s’s sensor compared to popular format.

Infographic: DC GH5s comparing sensor sizes

The 1-Euro coin has a diameter of 23.25mm.

The DC GH5s’s image sensor has an effective resolution of around 10 megapixel. This resolution is far below average.

The Panasonic supports taking images in RAW. RAW images are stored as they come from the sensor, without any in-camera processing or sharpening. Converting to JPEG or other formats takes place on the computer, using software like Adobe Lightroom or Panasonic’s RAW converter. This involves one extra processing step but almost always results in superior image quality. Some filters, like converting to monochrome (black and white) will only yield decent results when used with RAW images.

The DC GH5s features a mechanism for automatic sensor cleaning.

Format Four Thirds
Sensor area 17.30 x 13.00mm²
(0.68″ x 0.51″)
Type CMOS
Resolution (physical) 11.93 megapixel
Resolution (effective) 10.28 megapixel
Pixel size 22.10 µm²
Sensor cleaning
RAW support
Continuous 12 frames/second
Lens
Interchangeable lens
Mount Panasonic Micro Four Thirds (MFT)
Viewfinder Properties

The DC GH5s uses an electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 3.68 megapixel, an excellent value for a viewfinder like this which makes the camera a joy to use.

The magnifcation is c. 0.76x, an excellent value for an electronic viewfinder.

Type Elektronic
Coverage 100%
Magnification 0.76x
Resolution 3.68 megapixel
Dioptric correction
Shutter

The DC GH5s’s shutter speed varies from 1/8000s to 60s.

Max. shutter speed 1/8000s
Min. shutter speed 60s
Sensitivity Properties

The DC GH5s’s sensitivity is from 100 ISO and 51200 ISO.

Also, Panasonic’s sensitivity can be boosted to 204800. Therefore, ISO boosting will lead to growth noise.

Automatic
Min. sensitivity 100 ISO
Max. sensitivity 51200 ISO
Boost 204800 ISO
Exposure Modes

The DC GH5s supports all general exposure modes.

The Panasonic allows spot exposure for the difficult occasion.

Multi
Center weight
Partial
Spot
Auto Focus Properties

The DC GH5s’s auto focus processor uses 225 AF points (or sensors). A basic rule of thumb says that the more AF points you have, the better. More AF points mean a better chance to have a point at the location of interest in a scene, a big plus in challenging situations (e.g. when panning the camera).

Manual focus is also possible with the Panasonic, a plus in tricky situations or for some creative freedom.

Type Contrast Detection
AF points 225
Manual focusing
Flash Specs

The DC GH5s doesn’t feature a built-in flash. That is not unsusual in this camera category.

A flash or a trigger for remote flashes can be attached to the Panasonic’s hotshoe.

Built-in
Hot shoe
Display Specs

The DC GH5s features a monitor with a diagonal of 75.00mm (3.0 in.) and a resolution of c. 1.62 megapixel. A resonable value that will make it easy to evaluate images directly in-camera.

The camera’s display is articulated, a plus for selfies and other challenging situations.

The DC GH5s’s monitor can work as a touch screen, just like a smartphone. That can be very useful, for example to pick AF points, but keep in mind that touch screens usually don’t work when wearing gloves.

Display characteristics at a glance:

Type LCD
Size 75.00mm (diagonal)
(3.0 in.)
Resolution 1.62 megapixel
Articulated
Touch screen
Video Specs

DC GH5s video supported the resolution with 3840 x 2160 pixel.

Also the camera is equipped with an external microphone.

Panasonic DC GH5s Video parameters:

Max. resolution 3840 x 2160 pixel
…with frame rates 24 frames/second
25 frames/second
30 frames/second
50 frames/second
60 frames/second
External microphone
Connectivity & Wireless Specs

The DC GH5s has Wifi connectivity already built-in. Use Wifi to transfer images to a smartphone or computer and to remote control the camera. With NFC, camera and smartphone can be paired without the need for passwords.

For photo transferring users may use Bluetooth option.

Eventually, if the wifi connection is disabled the wired connection may be used.

Connect the Panasonic to a monitor or TV set over HDMI.

USB 3.0 is already supported by the Panasonic. USB 3.0 greatly speeds up transferring images and videos to the computer.

Connection parameters:

WiFi
Bluetooth
NFC
Remote (wired)
Remote (infrared)
Apps
HDMI (standard)
HDMI (mini)
HDMI (micro)
USB 2.0
USB 3.0
USB Micro
USB Mini
USB-C
Custom
Memory

The camera supports SD HC and SD XC cards.

Memory cards characteristics:

Slots 2
Memory cards SD
SDHC
SDXC
Battery

The Panasonic DC GH5s has a BLF19E LiIon battery. The battery provides a shooting life of 410 shots. It`s enough for one day or more.

The battery can be charged over USB while in camera. Very useful, especially on vacation when most people bring a USB charger for their smartphone anyway.

The DC GH5s’s battery battery parameters:

Type BLF19E LiIon
Removable
In-camera charging
Battery life 410 photos
Size

The Panasonic DC GH5s’s size is 138.5 x 98.1 x 87.4mm³. (5.5″ x 3.9″ x 3.4″). That dimensions are without lens. The weight of camera is 5.5″ x 3.9″ x 3.4″ grams (660 oz.) without lens weight.

Here is front and top view of the DC GH5s:

Dimensions Comparison

For a better idea of the size of the camera, takes a look off camera and ID card comparison image.

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