After what feels like an eternity [it was only 4 years] since its predecessor was launched, Panasonic has announced the long-awaited LUMIX GH5 Mark II. A new Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera looking to knock the socks off the competition and better the previous GH5 which stood its ground against its larger sensor adversaries.

It’s with some tangible excitment that we reveal the full specs and pricing of the all-new LUMIX GH5 Mark II. Always a good day when a new LUMIX camera is revealed, the GH series has delivered ground-breakig strides with its previous iterations. Let’s see how the new kid on the block squares up.

The LUMIX GH5 Mark II, or Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 II, to give its official name, produces C4K/4K 60p 4:2:0 10-bit unlimited video recording and can simultaneously output 4K 4:2:2 10-bit over HDMI. It’s capable of wireless live streaming in FHD/60p via the LUMIX Sync smartphone app, or by connecting directly to a Wi-Fi router. Additionally, it will see a future firmware update to add RTP/RTSP wired IP streaming.

The 20.3-megapixel Digital Live MOS Sensor with AR [Anti-Reflective] coating promises to shoot clean detail with great lens performance. The image processor has also been updated to use the latest high-speed and high-performance Venus Engine.

To achieve stable handheld shooting, the Body I.S. [Image Stabiliser] in the LUMIX GH5M2 is now more advanced, making it possible to use a 6.5-stop slower shutter speed. With the adoption of the latest algorithm developed for the LUMIX S1H camera, video recording is smooth and stable even when the camera is in motion.

A 3.0-inch free-angle LCD with a 3:2 aspect ratio and high resolution of 1840K dots provides touch control. Compared to the GH5, the LCD features higher luminosity and colour reproduction, ensuring high visibility outdoors.

Wireless Live Streaming with Minimal Kit

High-quality live streaming is possible both indoors and outdoors with minimal equipment: just the LUMIX GH5 Mark II and a smartphone with the LUMIX Sync app. In compliance with the RTMP/RTMPS protocol using the H.264 codec, a maximum resolution/framerate of FHD/60p at 16Mbps is supported.

For wired live streaming, the dedicated LUMIX Webcam Software is available for free download.

High Quality Video Performance

The LUMIX GH Series features outstanding video performance for professional videography and the LUMIX GH5 Mark II is no exception, capable of unlimited video recording in a variety of settings. When shooting video, theGH5 Mark II’s entire sensor area is used, enabling the user to record uncropped video from the original viewing angle of the lens. Video recording options are vast, offering internal recording up to 4K 60p and 4:2:2 10-bit 30p, or 4K/6K Anamorphic modes.

To deliver high dynamic range and a broad colour spectrum, V-Log L is pre-installed in the camera, making it easy to match the colour tone with footage recorded in the S1H/S1’s V-Log and the GH5/GH5S’s V-Log L. V-Log L renders a very flat image while retaining all its colour information, which is a great benefit in post-production processing. For users who prefer to have a starting point for post-processing, there are 35 compatible conversion LUTs for VariCam cinema cameras available for free download. Practical tools like a Waveform Monitor and V-Log View Assist are also part of the GH5 Mark II’s on-board video toolkit.

Like the S1H video flagship camera of the S Series, the LUMIX GH5 Mark II provides two types of Cinelike gamma presets in the Photo Style menu. These modes create impressive looks with warm skin tones or delicate nuances of light and shadow even without colour grading over V-Log footage. The Cinelike D2 preset gives priority to dynamic range, while Cinelike V2 prioritizes contrast. L.Monochrome S and L.Classic Neo have also been added. All these presets are also available in Anamorphic mode.

In VFR [Variable Frame Rate] recording, C4K/4K 60fps, Anamorphic 50fps and FHD 180fps are available. AF can be set before starting VFR recording. 

A Reliable, Professional Tool

Tough enough to withstand heavy field use, the LUMIX GH5 Mark II’s full die-cast front/rear frame is composed of a magnesium alloy and the body is splash, dust, and freeze-resistant down to -10 degrees Celsius. The shutter unit is also durable for approximately 200,000 cycles. 

To further support use outdoors, the camera boasts a new high-capacity 2200mAh battery [DMW-BLK22] that complies with USB PD [Power Delivery] and can be recharged via AC or USB. The LUMIX GH5 Mark II is equipped with a double SD memory card slot compatible with V90-classified, high-speed, high-capacity UHS-II cards for Relay, Backup and Allocation Recording.

With the advanced free-angle touch LCD, users can utilise the frame marker function to check the composition during recording in various common aspect ratios such as 16:9, 4:3, 1:1, 4:5, 5:4 and 9:16. The red recording frame indicator on the screen and in the EVF clearly signals whether the camera is recording, while a new blue indicator shows when the camera is streaming.

Future firmware updates

Firmware update for GH5 Mark II

The LUMIX GH5 Mark II will continue to evolve with a future firmware update scheduled by the end of 2021. The new firmware will include: 

• RTP/RTSP wired IP streaming
• Live View Composite
• USB Tethering [linked to a smartphone via 4G/5G], Compatible Streaming Distribution
• Even more stable smartphone connection

Firmware update for LUMIX G / LEICA DG lenses

An upcoming firmware for LUMIX G / LEICA DG lenses will make their use with the GH5 Mark II more convenient, enabling users to choose a non-linear or linear setting for the focus ring. In the non-linear setting, the focus shifts variably according to the rotation speed of the focus ring. In the linear setting, the focus shifts at fixed intervals according to how far the lens is turned, mimicking a manual lens. The sensitivity in the linear setting can be set between 90 and 360 degrees at 30-degree intervals.

Broad range of features and compatible accessories

Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi 5GHz [IEEE802.11ac] / 2.4GHz [IEEE802.11b/g/n]

The LUMIX GH5 Mark II integrates Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity to offer a more flexible shooting experience and enable instant image sharing. Once the camera is connected to a smartphone/tablet with Panasonic’s LUMIX Sync for iOS/Android, users can shoot, browse and share photos and videos remotely. Compatibility with Bluetooth 4.2 [BLE, Bluetooth Low Energy] keeps the camera connected to a smartphone with minimal power consumption. The settings on a LUMIX GH5 Mark II camera can also be copied and applied to other GH5 Mark II cameras using either the wireless LUMIX Sync or the SD card.

The dual-band Wi-Fi provides a secure and stable connection either to a device using the 2.4 GHz band or devices, which utilise the 5GHz-band [where available]. This way, the GH5 Mark II provides connections not only to a smartphone but also to routers or other network devices on location.

XLR Microphone Adaptor [DMW-XLR1]

The Microphone Adaptor DMW-XLR1 is a plug-in adaptor for XLR microphones for recording high-resolution 96kHz/24bit stereo sound and is ideal for lip-sync recording. Dedicated switches provide quick and direct access to the controls. MIC, LINE and Condenser/Phantom Power are switchable.

PC Software LUMIX Tether

With LUMIX Tether, users can control the camera on a PC via USB. The software lets both the user and other viewers see images on a PC screen while shooting is in progress, assisting in commercial photoshoots of portraits, products, etc. The software supports 6K and 4K photos, can be used to start and stop video recording and allows the user to choose the save folder.

Pricing & Availability

The LUMIX GH5 Mark II will be available from the end of June at £1,499 RRP for body only, £1,699 RRP for GH5 Mark II M Kit [with 12-60 LUMIX lens], and £1,999 RRP for GH5M2 L Kit [with LEICA 12-60mm lens].