So, 2017 is almost over, and you’ve already spent all your money on new lenses, possibly a new camera, and a few accessories. Well, to the dismay of some current GH5 owners, Panasonic may pull a “Sony” soon and announce an “S” model in the GH5 lineup. This is at least what the rumors have been pointing to lately. Last month, according to 43rumors.com, Panasonic was about to announce the new GH5 camera in Mid-December, however, this obviously didn’t happen. The new date for a potential new camera announcement points to Monday, January 8th 2018, which is ironically the start of CES 2018 – a platform that makes a lot of sense for a new “consumer” product.
Apparently, the new model is to feature extended video features and significantly improved low-light performance due to faster processing and a new, lower megapixel but video optimized chip. According to several rumour sources, this potential new GH5 model may launch in late February (more likely March), with “state of the art video functions, improved low light performance and a higher launch price compared to the GH5.”
Zacuto GH5 cage
Summary of Potential Features of the new GH5s?
- Cinema 4K/60p (4096 x 2160) at 150Mbps, 4:2:2 10 bit Long GOP
- 1080p/240fps super-slow motion
- (up from 180fps on the current GH5)
- Video-optimized 12 Megapixel sensor (4/3 type)
- Up to 100.000 ISO
- Price €2,500 /$2,500
- Expected to ship late February/early March
On the flipside, it’s not like all of a sudden your GH5 will stop making great images, on the contrary, it will still be an amazing camera. For me personally, the potential new GH5s model (or whatever it ends up being called) will simply be a more video-optimised version compared to the current Panasonic GH5, which by the way is an amazing stills camera as well. Something that the new model may lack in due to the lower megapixel count on the sensor. This, of course, is just speculation at this point as there have been no official footage or images released from this “alleged” new model.
What excites me the most about the new GH5s (let’s call it that for now)? Well, better low light performance in a Lumix camera is certainly welcome, also the 240fps bump in slow-mo is not going to hurt either. Presuming of course that those specs end up being true. The autofocus performance in video still remains unknown, and it being one of the biggest weaknesses of the GH5, may hopefully get some sort of improvement.
So, if this new GH5s ends up becoming a reality – I am curious as to how many Panasonic GH5 owners would get one, or swap their current GH5s for it? Any Sony or Canon shooters looking to make the switch and jump ship? I know I am thinking about it… better start saving that money though, as it may cost a pretty penny at $2500…
Oh, and I really hope that for this price they at least give us a V-Log option thrown in for free, just like Sony does.
[via 43rumors]
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The downside of these specs, of course, mean no 6K downsampling or 6K anamorphic. So you take your pick, better low-light or detail.
Perhaps they’re taking a page from Sony’s book with the A7S and A7R series. So they’ll be to GH5 lines pushing video features over stills in one of them.
For me and our work flow if this does not have better autofocusing we won’t be buying it at all. We already have two gh5s that we use and do not auto focus well. If this new model does not greatly improve that we will have to add Sony or a canon to our lineup which sucks. Either way it should mean good news for the industry
It’s irrelevant to me. I’m happy with the GH5 for both video and stills. Faster AF is irrelevant to me as is better low light performance. Already the GH5 is good enough for all lighting conditions I shoot in–even on complex lighting setups all I use anymore are LEDs. For slomo, the fastest I’ve gone is 120 fps and it was almost too slow for the shot. I’m not sure what type of shot I’d need greater slomo capability for. If I were a news photographer or a wedding photographer, the lower light capability would probably be better. It’s good to see Panasonic coming out with different cameras for different applications, as Sony does.