Panasonic LUMIX GH5 II - Retrospective Review

Welcome to my Panasonic LUMIX GH5 II Retrospective Review. This is a long-term review of the GH5II, which is a great video camera for content creators, filmmakers, and wedding videographers. While the Panasonic GH5II is imperfect, it's an excellent video camera capable of producing excellent 4K results in all-weather environments. The Panasonic GH5 II is also known as the LUMIX GH5M2.

Click to Subscribe -

Buy it online
📝 Affiliate links Disclosure - These links earn me a small commission with every purchase.

Disclosure:
The links in this description are affiliate links. By using my links I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Video Chapters:
00:00 - Start
00:35 - Panasonic LUMIX GH5II Travel Camera of Choice
00:52 - No Perfect Cameras
01:05 - Image Quality Benefits - vs. Original GH5
01:44 - Panasonic LUMIX GH5 II Sample Footage
03:12 - IBIS (In Body Image Stabilization)
03:40 - Awesome IBIS
04:30 - VFR (Variable Frame Rate Mode (Slow Motion 120p)
05:18 - 4K120p Hack (with 4k60p)
05:49 - GH5 II Advantages over GH6
06:19 - Battery Grip Advantages
06:45 - Live Streaming
07:17 - Autofocus
08:10 - Contrast DFD Tips and Tricks
08:41 - 12-35mm F2.8 Lens Overview
09:19 - Final Thoughts

---
My YouTube Audio/Video Setup:
Links to B&H, Amazon, or Sweetwater are affiliate links.

#camera #contentcreator #filmmaking

[GeekyNerdyTechy]

So I ended up pulling the trigger on another GH5M2 yesterday (a few days after finishing this video in editing). :) I got my GH52 from DigiDirect.
(affiliate links)

[RhettThompsonFilm]

Someone was just talking about this camera in my comments section and man its so underrated! I always find it amusing how similar we shoot, 420 10 bit for all the same reasons, VLOG and nicest, or natural. Great look at this camera and I hope some people will realize this still might be the perfect camera for them!

[xdc]

Bought the GH5m2 last year for an absolute steal. I guess I'm one of the only GH5m2 users out there remaining.

Compared to its peers, the camera is nothing special (except for live streaming); it's just fine. Thankfully it doesn't have any of the really high data rate codecs so it doesn't chew through my computer's storage; I consider it a camera that meets but not exceeds by videomaking abilities.

Would definitely love it if Panasonic brings Active EIS from the G9ii to get rid of the wobbly corners, otherwise I'll continue to use 4K Pixel/Pixel mode to just crop that out.

[onnie]

As you know Shane, I used to be a Lumix user but moved over to Sony but I'm still a huge Lumix fan. I love their colour's straight out of the camera, so much to love about Lumix. I think in time I will buy the G9MKII, as I loved my old G9.

[Mraz]

I have my GH5ii for a year and been shooting video a lot for my pro job as well as my hobby. Honestly this camera is perfect for me. Furthermore, i recently bought 35mm f0.95 from 7Artisans, and that blows me away. It gives a full frame look. I also learn Manual focus is easy and not as scary as people would describe. Its buttons helps me alot when shooting manual. Easy menu system and quick access for tuning the setting. This camera taught me everything on how to be a better videographer and photographer. The cheap used lens ecosystem also helps me to easily find my style of shooting in comparison to other brands, may take years to buy and sell the lens again, if it does not suit you. Well i’m happy with Lumix as it produce great colour and i’m going to stay here for a long time.

[marin_real_estate_photography]

Thanks for the long-term review, Shane. I admit that I have been looking at the GH5 MK II as a C Cam, but to be honest, the original S5 (and used S5's and S1's) are so cheap, it is almost hard to justify it (here inb the USA, the original S5 is currently on sale at B and H and Adroram new for US $998!!!). Espescially since the Panasonic 12-35 f/2.8 MK II is only about $50 less than the L-Mount Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 ART lens. Hopefully I am wrong, but it seems like m43 is going to be kind of a tough sell going forward (comparing the price of the G9 II to the price of an S5 II). Anyway, thanks agian for the video. If you ever come out to California (specifically, the San francisco area), let me know. Mark

[Shapeshifter.Performance]

Love the content man! Looking to invest in this camera for business so thank you for all the insightful information!

[jamilyosufi]

Moved from all GH series to S series
I love my S5 camera. It's all in one hybrid camera.

[nolannatashaTV]

Great video. I recently picked up an original gh5 cause it was basically free when you considered the value of the lenses it came with. I’m blown away with how good it still is and how cheap even the gh6 is now. I want that g9ii but it’s so hard to justify with the bargain prices on the dfd Lumix camera. I think for so many people these make amazing first serious cameras. Learning how to manual focus is a great skill, but all that said, when you need auto focus it’s brutal not having it. Anyway, thanks for showcasing this under appreciated camera. Love the channel.

[MarcHillM]

I picked up a GH5M2 earlier this year and ended up selling my GH5, such were the improvements. The GH5M2 is really a new camera in a GH5 body. It's easy to tweak the colour profile slightly to get a Kodak Portra look when printed on Supra paper. and the new L Monochrome range is great. There's extra DR in the highlights and raw stills are finally 14bit and whites are gorgeous. A power bank keeps it running all day so I don't have to carry several batteries and as you say 1080 is really nice and flexible.

[mattfowlerkc]

As much as the GH6 gets slept on these days, the GH5 II is even worse. I saw these for $1, 000 brand new recently. That's a heck of a deal.

[TerenceKearns]

Excellent review. The GH5ii currently selling for AU$2K here in Aussieland. Without the new AF capabilities there is no reason for me to choose it over a Blackmagic 4K Micro G2. The BMD is AU$1500 plus the cost of a external monitor. I just need another 2 cams for my portable livestream studio setup. I already have two first gen G9 cams. It was useful to see your take on the GH5ii. I'm disappointed at how expensive the G9ii and the GH7 are. Crazy prices. I think I'm gonna hadd some BRAW capability to the mix instead, based on Panasonic's pricing (which has historically been very good).

[pianopotato]

Great video Shane. I use that Boya wireless mic also. In fact, I bought mine just a few days before your review of it came out almost two years ago!

[S.A.S.H.]

Shane: It's December 16, 2024. is the GH5 M2 still a good choice for a starting videographer? I'm replacing a Canon T2i with a new camera so I can do both video production (3D printing, as well as vinyl reviews and audio equipment discussion.) and some streaming of my hobby work with miniatures and model building. I will be doing some still photography, mostly family things and landscapes as I travel. (Bering of retirement age I intend on traveling quite a bit.)

[grantrobertdavies]

Great Video mate - I’ve just finished putting together my GH5ii video (photographers perspective) for release next week :) Great camera - I’d like to get a second one :)

[GoTravelPlanet]

I have one and love it. Great camera for video and stills

[StanTregubenko]

Using the same camera 2 years +, I would say that totally agree with the picture which you can get for the price point is the beast. For now g9ii with perfect autofocus and 120 fpc.is definitely better option.

[andersistbesser]

Image quality really is great with this one

[FpunktGandi]

Thanks for the hint with 4:2:0 10 bit. I was wondering why there is no preview on the Mac desktop. BTW, anyone knows the reason, why rw2 raw is not shown on desktop or even Apple Fotos app?

[markheke]

Thanks for the great video. I love your videos. I have the Panasonic 12 - 60 lens and the 25mm. Should I be thinking about the 12 - 35 lens? What good video lens should I be looking for? I am still learning heaps, so I am just looking for guidance. I have the Lumix GH5 mk 2.