Naik Media | North West Video Production Editing – Cumbria • Carlisle • Preston • Lancaster • Kendal

You’re not going to struggle to find a blog post or YouTube video online which sing the praise of the Panasonic GH5, the hybrid camera from Panasonic, and the one we’ve chosen as our main workhorse; it also serves as a b-cam for the occasions we need a true cinema camera such as the Varicam LT.  However, most people focus on the specifications or comparisons with other cameras – that’s not what interests us, however.

GH5 DIGITAL CAMERA

What we care about are is how the camera works in the field; day in, day out; rain or snow.

  1. Weather sealing –

So most reviewers will say “It has weather sealing” and then move on.  Yet the level of weather sealing is important depending on your needs/location.  Working around the North of England things tend to be … damp…

With the right lens on the front we’ve completed vital shots despite the rain that came down.

This is the best bit about the DSLR form factor – it is perfect for keeping the environment out of the camera; and the GH5 has yet to fail despite the trials we put it through.

  1. Size –

Everybody raves about the image quality.  It features in comparisons with cameras such as the Sony FS7, Canon C200/300, and sometimes even Arris and Reds (?!).  And yet, just look at the size of it!

Our equipment is often chosen for its ‘size/weight : image quality’ ratio.  This allows us to work quickly, stay mobile, and keep costs down.  This level of video quality in this form factor is unbelievable (yet way more practical and versatile than a Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera) and something we’ve been waiting a long time for.

  1. Image Stabilisation –

After the last firmware update this has just gone next level.  The IS Lock mode is basically a virtual tripod. There’s not much to elaborate on – it’s just steady as anything!

  1. Colour Science –

Arris is without a doubt the king of colour science; Canon and Fuji used to own this field in the sub £10k price range (hence why we use Fuji for our stills cameras), their colours (especially skin tones) appeal to many.

Yet Panasonic has been making bounds in their colour science with their Varicam series of cinema cameras, and this has trickled down to the GH5 cameras.  Colour grading is effortless, and the colours are natural, pleasing, and flattering.  These colours are sublime, and feel very accurate.

  1. XLR module –

Okay, so this is not necessarily a feature of the GH5 itself, but as a system this part is one of the main reasons we switched to this system.  Having XLR inputs with high quality preamps AND analogue level controls?!  The sound quality is amazing!

We wanted flexibility, portability, and adaptability with the GH5.  To have the audio and video quality that comes with this system is just the cherry on top!

Now the GH5s has been released, one of the two shortcomings of the GH5 has been addressed, and now the system can deal low light situations too (a real issue with the original GH5) – we’ll be putting an order in soon for one of these!

There have also been some incredible user fixes with regards to the autofocus (just search Youtube for “GH5 179 degree shutter” or “GH5 autofocus hack” to find out more); so this system is one that seems to just keep giving!

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