GH5 Panasonic camera, from anticipation to love or hate

peaceonearth

@natureflixs get a decent camera which provides 60p with Intra frame if it's important for you. Have in mind even the C300II isn't able to shoot 4K60p. Be prepared to open your wallet.

natureflixs

" I wonder how cinema survived for decades with 24 frames/second :-D"

Sorry, I shoot nature docs. 24fps is pretty much useless. Need 60fps for fast animal and insect action, as well as decent slow-mo.

sebolla

At this bitrate 10 bit 422 doesn't give any advantage...400mb with ipb compression would be much better...

peaceonearth

@natureflixs I wonder how cinema survived for decades with 24 frames/second :-D

natureflixs

I had hoped for 60fps 3840x2160 All-I at 300-400Mbps. Only having 30fps 4K at t400Mbps bit rate just won't do well with fast motion subjects.

wordsofpeace

Would all-intra produce smoother pans? I have seen some clips where verticals in the frame have a jerky look.

lmackreath

sorry but show me a camera in the same price range with this wealth of options?

Vitaliy_Kiselev

@natureflixs

Yes. Only 30fps and below and only available in 422/10bit.

natureflixs

So no 3840x2160 60fps 400Mbps?

Isaac_B

The additional features are well worth waiting thirty extra days.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Usually Andrew issues with tech

On the other-hand, an inter-frame codec like LongGOP H.264 (IPB) works by deleting groups of original frames and reconstructing them synthetically, mathematically. This is done by comparing the differences between two key frames and reconstructing movement and visual differences. An interframe LongGOP IPB codec saves space but it screws with motion in quite subliminal and subtle ways. The ALL-I codec on the GH5 2.0 has no trickery or frame-prediction, just pure cinema 24p.

Actually in any scientific comparison ALL-I at same high birate as IPB and even double will be much worse. And no, frames are not all reconstructed at such big bitrates, it all depends on individual small blocks.

The other important thing is that ALL-I files are much easier to edit than LongGOP, less CPU intensive. Although the data-rate is higher at 400Mbit/s for the new codec versus 150Mbit/s for LongGOP IPB, the computer CPU doesn’t need to go into overdrive decoding complex frame reconstructions and compression. You just need a faster memory card and your hard drive or SSD will work a bit faster to serve the files in your NLE – but not to the extent of breaking into a sweat.

It is also wrong. They CAN be more easy to edit. In case of 422 or 12bit. For now. For most common 1080p and 4K IPB with modern GPU and CPU will load processor LOWER due to build in hardware decoding. Same is true for HEVC and even 10bit HEVC. Things will change even more with upcoming Volta GPUs and their new block.

If you do not make some very specific task, like CGI and other thing, it is zero reason to use intra codecs now.

http://www.eoshd.com/2017/08/panasonic-gh5-review-and-exclusive-first-look-at-version-2-0-firmware/

Vitaliy_Kiselev

400Mbit is in firmware provided to selected testers

Also lower bitrate HEVC is added, good for long videos

Via http://jacobjamesphotography.co.uk/gh5-firmware-v2-whats-new/

My sources tell what less than two weeks ago 400Mbit modes had issues. This is why it was decided to buy developers time.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

So, Panasonic management turned utter failure into... pause. By buying developers another month and hoping that 400Mbit could be solved during it and will start working without bugs.

They hoped for miracle till last day.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

PR

GH5 Firmware Update Version 2.0

Newark, NJ (August 30, 2017) Panasonic today announced the new firmware update Verion.2.0 for DC-GH5 to further enhance its performance. Many enhancements were previously planned but additional modifications were suggested by end users that specialize in both photography and cinematography. This updates is an exceptional upgrade in camera performance to satisfy professional GH5 users.

The new firmware includes following upgrades:

Compatibility with "LUMIX Tether" PC software

This new firmware enables GH5 tethered shooting via USB, using “LUMIX Tether” PC software. Users can control the camera by connecting it to a PC via USB. It lets you view the image on a large PC screen while shooting, which is helpful in commercial photoshoots of portraits, products and so on, where continuous confirmation is required. You can use [6K PHOTO] [4K PHOTO] and start and stop video recording with the tethered shooting. It is also possible to choose the folder to save the image files in the PC.

Improved auto focus performance

Auto focus performance for subjects with low contrast in photo shooting is improved.

Tracking auto focus performance in video recording is improved.

The customized AF area can be continuously displayed in [Multi AF] and [Custom Multi AF] during live-view.

The AF area in [Multi AF] can be moved to the other edge (side, top or bottom) when it reaches one edge.

The start point of AF lock can be set on the live view screen in advance in [AF Tracking].

The AF area can be moved while the shutter button is half-pressed or while recording in [Burst Mode], [6K PHOTO] and [4K PHOTO].

** Improved performance in [6K PHOTO] and [4K PHOTO]**

The waiting time to start the next burst shooting sequence after [6K Burst] and [4K Burst] is shortened to less than half the time.

[Loop Rec] is available in [6K PHOTO]

Use of Panasonic SD Memory Card with Video Speed Class 90 is recommended for [Loop Rec] of [6K PHOTO].

An additional ALL-Intra Video Recording mode

4:2:2,10-bit ALL-Intra video recording mode is added to 4K/FHD video recording.

Use of SD Memory Card with Video Speed Class 60 or higher is recommended for 4K ALL-Intra video recording. Operation is confirmed with Panasonic SD Memory Card with Video Speed Class 90.　　

New 4:2:2,10-bit ALL-Intra Recording Mode

4K HDR video recording

[HLG] (Hybrid Log Gamma) is added to [Photo Style]. HDR (High Dynamic Range) is a mode to reproduce both the brightest and darkest part in an image, making it look just as human eyes see. The camera records video with a designated gamma curve compatible with ITU-R BT.2100, and you can now choose Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) in [Photo Style].

A low-bit-rate recording mode 4K HEVC for HLG was added. This enables playback on AV equipment compatible with the HEVC compression format, such as Panasonic 4K HDR TVs.

Enhancement of the Anamorphic video recording mode

High-Resolution Anamorphic mode, which enables video recording in 18-mega effective pixels, is added. Recordeding in HEVC

New High-Resolution Anamorphic Mode

"High Resolution Anamorphic Mode" records motion picture with an aspect ratio suited for an anamorphic lens,4:3. The effective picture size for this mode is equivalent to the number of pixels produced by 6K (approx. 6,000 (horizontal) x 3,000 (vertical)) images (approx. 18 megapixels).

[Anamorphic Desqueeze Display] was added, which lets you view an enlarged image in Cinescope size while recording with 2.0x and 1.33x Anamorphic lens.

[Video Guide Line] is added to display the image in a variety of aspects, such as 2.39:1, 2.35:1, 16:9, and 1:1 while recording video. This can be used not only in Anamorphic mode but also in other video recording modes.

Enhancement of Body I.S. (Image Stabilizer)

[I.S. Lock(video)] is added. This powerfully compensates for handshake when the viewing angle is fixed.

A new handshake correction mode is added, which provides optimum correction when using 2.0x and 1.33x Anamorphic lens.

Correction of white balance setting

When the K (Kelvin) value was changed after adjusting the color temperature with 2-axis white balance compensation, the setting was reset. This bug has been fixed.

Improved usability of Time Lapse Shot

The time to finish shooting and the number of recordable pictures are displayed on the stand-by screen.

Improved usability of Power Save LVF

Power Save LVF can now be used during all stand-by display options.

Wireless functions

The Bluetooth Remote Control function can be used with Image App, which will also be updated at the same timing with the GH5 firmware release.

If the camera has not completed image transmission when it is turned off, it restarts transmission when it is turned on with the [Auto Transfer] function.

Other improvements

A rating function using a Fn button is available in Playback Zoom and Multi Playback.

The following functions can be assigned to Fn buttons - [Constant Preview] [6K/4K PHOTO Bulk Saving] [Min. Shtr Speed] [RAW Processing] [Rec/Playback Switch] [Destination Slot] and [Mic Level Adj.].

The DISP.Button can be locked.

In Relay Rec, there were cases where the video file number was not able to be reset. This bug has been fixed. *In Relay Rec, there were cases where the video file number was reset after formatting the SD Memory Card. This bug has been fixed.

In Backup Rec, there were cases where the file number was not reset even after applying resetting. This bug has been fixed.

The image quality when applying the following settings is improved: Extended low ISO, [i.Dynamic] (Intelligent D-range Control) and Highlight Shadow.

The new DC-GH5 firmware Version 2.0 is scheduled to be released at the end of September 2017 at the following LUMIX Customer Support website.

LUMIX DC-GH5 Firmware Ver.2.0

http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/

Eno

Panasonic issues promised GH5 firmware update with a host of unexpected extras

Very nice, what more can I say. :)

[VK] Posted PR

CapionStudio

Shot with the GH5, NIKKOR 55MM F1.2 taking lens, Bell & Howell 2X Anamorphic. Captured internally 60FPS, Cinelike-D profile (for night shooting / shadow noise suppression) and graded in MB Looks w/ custom curve work. Vimeo output 3.3K, Youtube master output 6.6k (link to follow shortly).

Vitaliy_Kiselev

In Vegas 15 Panasonic GH5 10-bit 422 footage now opens correctly

Check https://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/10122/magix-vegas-pro-15-14-and-sony-vegas-13-topic#Item_119

Eno

@Vitaliy_Kiselev , you may be right but i've missed it. :)

What I find very interesting in this particular review is the DR latitude measurements: 2,3 stops in highlights and clear 4 stops in the shadows; a total of 6,3 stops editing latitude, not bad at all for the sensor size. :)

And I found again more confirmation that (at least in RAW) there's no visible loss of highlights latitude by shooting at ISO 100 vs 200, but there's a gain in the shadow detail and lower noise floor.