Panasonic’s flagship micro four-thirds workhorse gets a major overhaul in this second generation. The Panasonic Lumix GH5M2 mirrorless camera now features livestreaming capabilities.
Like a blindside right cross from Francis Ngannou, Panasonic has surprised the cinematography market with an all new upgraded version of its ever-popular and applauded GH5. Welcome the brand new GH5M2, and get ready—there’s a lot to cover here.
Panasonic LUMIX GH5M2 ()
LUMIX GH5M2 Resolution:
Let’s start with video codecs and resolutions. The GH5M2 still gives you C4K and 4K 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording up to 30p but the amazing thing about this is that there is no longer a crop at C4K and 4K 10-bit 60p and no longer a record time limit. You’re still shooting in 4:2:0 color space but those two restrictions are gone.
However, the magic doesn’t just happen on the inside of the camera. The GH5M2 can also output 10-bit C4K and 4K 60p over HDMI while still recording in the camera to an SD card! During simultaneous output and internal recording you can now get C4K and 4K at 30fps 4:2:2 both internally and externally. At C4k and 4K 60p, you’ll only be able to get 4:2:0 internally. Meanwhile, the 4:2:2 10-bit signal processes over the HDMI output. You can’t do any of that on the GH5.
For anamorphic film shooters, you now have 6K anamorphic at frame rates up to 30p and you’ve got 10-bit recording with 4:2:0 color. You’ll have to drop down to 4K anamorphic to get 10-bit 4:2:2 processing at 24p and 30p. These are some serious upgrades to the video capabilities of the GH5, which were already stellar for the price point and image quality that users have been enjoying now for the better part of five whole years.
Perks for Filmmakers:
The goodness doesn’t end there. The GH5M2 will also come factory pre-installed with V-log. You will not have to purchase a separate “filmmakers add-on upgrade” to gain the V-log picture profile. It comes shipped already installed and that’s great news because I no longer have to purchase the popular filming format.
There’s also brand new versions of the two popular “cinelike” picture profiles with Cinelike D2 and Cinelike V2. I’m sure YouTubers will have a blast churning out graded picture profile test videos with these new settings in the coming weeks and months.
You’ve also got anamorphic mode and variable frame rates up to 180 frames per second although you still have to drop down to 1080p for that. You can produce in-camera slow motion at 60fps at 4K. One more thing about the VFR is that you now have autofocus capability in VFR mode right up until the point that you press record. Composing your shot and locking in focus is now a bit quicker and easier when filming in high frame rates but using AF during shooting in VFR frame rates.
IBIS, LCD & Livestreaming:
There’s been marked improvement to to the 5-axis dual image stabilization giving you an upgraded 6.5 stops of IS over the five stops you had before in the GH5. One of the most notable new features is that Panasonic notes that you can expect the GH5M2 to give you same autofocus capability as the Panasonic Lumix S5. The contrast-based autofocus system now includes head/body and animal detection. Plus, it has the ability to lock on to objects like faces and bodies that are smaller on the screen. Panasonic GH5M2’s performance is impressive in focusing on a subject’s face moving away from the camera and when faces are tilted.
You’ve got a brighter, high-resolution LCD flip out screen that measures in at just about three inches and the whole camera weighs just .2 grams heavier than the original GH5. It’s got that shiny red record button like its baby brother, the GH5S, plus the addition of that popular red-frame record indicator to help you avoid forgetting to press record.
Another big feature is the addition of live streaming from the camera. The GH5M2 can output various frame aspects directly to social media and the web with its built-in streaming encoder. Out of the box, you can connect to WiFi to stream using the Lumix Sync app. In a future firmware update, you will be able to connect a tethered cable to the camera and stream over a LAN wired connection. This gives you the capability of having a much higher quality stream.
Additional Features:
One of the new features I find really interesting and useful is that you can now save a custom list of your most often used video resolutions and codecs for easy switching in My Menu. It’s called “My List” and you can recall your most-used video formats simply and easily. You can also program My List to a custom button for easy access.
The GH5M2 also takes the same battery as its predecessor. This is great news for those of us who invested a good amount of money into batteries for the GH5 and GH5S. If you’ve got a Lumix S5, those batteries will work as well.
The GH5M2 is chock full of nice upgrades to a micro four thirds system that was already ahead of its time. Panasonic continues its pattern of improving already existing products while introducing new technology that makes creative shooting faster, easier, and more powerful.
The Panasonic LUMIX GH5M2 is available for preorder for at Adorama.
Feature photo by Rob Adams
