THE PANASONIC GH5 WILL NOT HAVE A SUPER 35 SENSOR, BUT IT DOESN'T NEED ONE TO BE GREAT

The Panasonic GH5 is one of the more eagerly anticipated cameras of 2016—and it should be. The Panasonic GH4 changed the game for a large group of shooters looking for high resolution options at a reasonable price. Not only that, but Panasonic’s V-Log upgrade showed their customers that they had their ears and eyes open to what modern shooters desire.

While there is endless speculation about what could be included in the body, one thing is for sure. You’re still going to be shooting with a Micro Four-Thirds sensor. In a recent interview, a representative from Panasonic said that the GH5 will definitely not be utilizing a Super35 APS-C Sensor. What does this mean?

Well, it doesn’t mean a WHOLE lot, but it hints towards one big thing that GH4 shooters are sure to be wondering about. The GH5 will have to find enhanced low-light performance in other ways. It also seems to mean that the processing inside of the GH5 will be updated. It would have to be, wouldn’t it?

The question is then: What needs to be updated in the Lumix GH5?

From my perspective, the GH4 doesn’t have a lack of resolution. I worry that if Panasonic implements a 6k shooting mode in camera, they’re going to consider the majority of their work done instead of giving shooters what they really need.

Shooters like options. Panasonic addressed this with the V-Log upgrade. What they need to do is introduce an in-camera system that gives the operator the ability to adjust their picture settings in more detail. Introduce a better Custom Button system and you’re taking a good step forward.

Again, shooters like options. What happens after you take the camera off the Tripod, Glidecam, Gimbal or Slider? The upgraded processing I referred to earlier could result in more solid recording abilities. This could translate into less rolling shutter, which would again, be a great, great step forward. If they’re feeling really generous, this could also include some in-camera sensor stabilization. That would get a lot of people excited.

Probably the most important upgrade, in my mind would be a more sturdy way of recording and monitoring audio. The GH4 was advertised with the clunky DMW-YAGH system which turned it into an off-balance monster (okay, not really a monster, but you get my drift). If they can find a better way to record audio in camera, they’re going to put themselves ahead of many competitors.

The point I’m trying to make is that the GH4 was a fantastic camera, and the GH5 will be as well. But what will take it to the next level is focusing on the less sexy aspects of shooting video. If Panasonic takes into account not only what shooters want, but what they actually need, they’ll be sending a clear message to competitors and attaching a permanent foothold among the big industry names.

What else would you like to see in the GH5?

The Panasonic GH5 Will Not Feature a Super35/APS-C Sensor

Via 4k Shooters:

The Panasonic GH4 is arguable one of the most popular cameras for low budget filmmakers and video content creators. Even though the camera is now two years old, the addition of significant features such as V-Log and Anamorphic shooting modes made the camera even more desirable. Not to mention that the price tag of the GH4 is now around $1298 making it one of the most affordable and capable video machines for shooters on a budget.

A lot of us were expecting to hear some sort of an update around the GH line at NAB 2016, but this was a long shot at best, given the fact that NAB is after all a broadcast show for big cameras and smaller cameras like the predominantly stills oriented GH4 don’t often get the spotlight at a show like NAB.

Sadly, however in a recent interview with Hybrid Camera Revolution, Matt Frazer from Panasonic confirmed that the GH4 successor will not feature “anything else but a Micro Four Thirds sensor” around the 5:42 mark in the video below.

Now this may be a bit of a disconcerting news to some of you, however Matt did point out that the next GH5 or whatever it ends  up being called “will have some compelling features” that will hopefully bring a lot of new shooters into the MFT system and also convince those already in it to stay.

The Panasonic GH5 is also rumored to have the ability to record 6K up to 30p and 4K/60p, however I am sure most will agree that a resolution bump such as 6K may be a bit too far fetched at this stage due to the lack of 6K TV sets and a more data intensive workflow. Also, this would mean that H.265 needs to be used as compression, and at this point major NLE’s and computer infrastructure is not yet ready to handle this codec.

What I want to see in the GH5 is more dynamic range and better low-light performance. MFT as a format I am fine with, after all there is a Metabones Speedbooster to take users to a pseudo-Super35 field of view already.

The most logical announcement for the GH5 is Photokina this year, which is held in September in Germany and is the premiere photo/stills show – kind of like the NAB of the photo world – where we will probably also see the new (and also rumored) Sony A9 4K full-frame mirrorless camera and the highly anticipated Canon 5D Mark IV. We’ll keep an eye out for further developments and let you know.

What do you guys think of this? No Super35 chip in the GH5? What are your hopes for the next GH 4K camera? Let us know in the comments below.