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Panasonic GH5S verdict
As a 4K video camera, the GH5S is extremely powerful and extremely good value. Our real-world tests indicate its high-ISO performance still lags slightly behind its bigger-sensor rivals, but professionals will love its high frame rates, 10-bit 4:2:2 recording and high bitrates. It’s not all good, though. The lack of in-body-stabilisation will put many people off, and the 10MP resolution is just too low for it to be a convincing stills camera.
If what you really want is a balanced hybrid stills and video camera, the regular GH5 is a better choice. The GH5S only makes sense if video is the top priority and stills are secondary – or you’re not going to use it for stills at all. There’s a strong argument for pro Panasonic stills and video shooters to keep two camera bodies – a GH5S for video and a G9 for stills. It’s a more expensive solution, but if you need to shoot video at this level then some expense is inevitable.
Panasonic GH5S competition
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
The EOS 5D Mark IV has a 30.4MP sensor, but its 4K video comes with a heavy crop factor and it can’t match the GH5S’s frame rates and recording specs.
Panasonic GH5
The GH5 loses out slightly to the GH5S for video features, but it’s a far better stills camera and closer to the ideal stills/video crossover camera.
Sony A7S II
Now almost two-and-a-half years old, the A7S II is losing the competitive advantage it once had, and it now looks very expensive compared to the GH5S.
Panasonic GH5S specifications
Sensor: 10.2MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS, 17.3 × 13.0mm Image processor: Venus AF points: 225-point DFD contrast AF ISO range: 160-51,200 (expandable to 80-204,800) Max image size: 3,680 x 2,760 Metering zones: 1,728 Video: C4K/4K UHD at up to 60/50fps, Full HD at up to 240fps Viewfinder: OLED, 3,680,000 dots Memory card: 2x SD/SDHC/SDXC (both UHS-II) LCD: 3.2in vari-angle touchscreen, 1,620,000 dots Max burst: 11fps (with AF-S), 7fps (with AF-C) Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Size: 138.5 x 98.1 x 87.4mm Weight: 660g (with battery and memory card)
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