Panasonic Lumix GH5

Manufacturer: Panasonic Type: camera — Micro Four Thirds mirrorless Year introduced: 2017 Sensor: 20.3MP Live MOS Key specs: 4K 60p/50p video, 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording, 5-axis dual IS, 12fps Price at launch: $1,999

Overview

The Panasonic Lumix GH5 is a 20.3-megapixel Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera announced at CES in January 2017 (^[1]) and released in spring 2017. It was a landmark video camera, offering 4K at 60p/50p and, crucially, 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording — a capability previously found only in significantly more expensive cinema cameras. For underwater videographers the GH5 represented a major step forward at an accessible price point.

The GH5 became popular in the underwater video community as an alternative to more expensive full-frame systems, particularly for shooters prioritizing video quality and versatility. The Micro Four Thirds system also offered a wide range of lens options, and the 2x crop factor was manageable when using wide-angle lenses.

Housing ecosystem

Nauticam was first to ship a production housing:

• Nauticam NA-GH5 — $2,650, shipped May 5, 2017. Notably featured dual lever controls for the GH5’s function levers (^[2]).
• Sealux — Shipped housing for GH5, July 12, 2017 (^[3]).
• Acquapazza — Released details of housing for GH5, September 4, 2017 (^[4]).
• Aquatica AGH5 — $1,799, announced July 21, 2017 (^[5]).

Reviews & Discussion

• ^[6] — CES announcement coverage. Article (editorial source).
• ^[7] — First production housing to ship, with dual lever controls noted as a design highlight. Article (editorial source).

References

• ^[8]
• ^[9]
• ^[10]
• ^[11]
• ^[12]