Panasonic GH5 II Review: Best Camera for YouTube in 2021?

Tony & Chelsea Northrup review the Panasonic GH5 II, the latest Micro Four-Thirds camera designed for creators like ourselves recording video for YouTube, Twitch, and outside clients. With the new body, we're testing the Panasonic 10-25 f/1.7 lens.

We're SHOCKED with the results. Panasonic's depth-from-defocus (DFD) focusing system has been GREATLY improved, doing a much better job of tracking focus. It wasn't perfect, and it downright sucked in low-light conditions, but it wasn't bad... and in many ways it's actually superior to the phase-detect autofocus system in the Sony a7S III.

We also test the sensor stabilization (also known as IBIS), the autoexposure, and more!

[jasam]

Remmber this is the guy who told m4/3 is dead.

[quiteenough]

yeah Gh5 II was noisier, but it actually achieved somewhat reliable focus in backlit scene, which is even A7SIII struggled with, that's impressive

[davidthefat]

Hopefully firmware update announced for the G9 is as good of an AF improvements as the GH5II.

[Djsten]

A thing I don't quite understand about these camera reviews (not this channel in particular) is the extreme emphasis on video autofocus. I don't know a single working professional (not YouTuber, not vlogger) that works paid jobs with autofocus. I don't think I would ever be confident enough in any (video) autofocusing system to just let it go and not think about it, especially during something high-stakes like a wedding or interview. And even if I was filming myself talking to the camera, I feel like I'd be infinitely more comfortable stopping down my lens (even MFT) a little bit and manually focusing it on one spot. If you're really animated you may drift in and out of focus, but for sitting at a desk? I don't see the point. The risk of the camera just shitting itself and losing focus completely, however small, is always there. I understand these gear reviews are for everybody so obviously vloggers and YouTubers are going to want to know those specs but I feel like these cameras are always knocked hard for shitty video AF even when everything else is great. People buy these GH cameras for a reason, and I feel like a lot of the people that are going to reach for cameras with features like this aren't going to give a shit about something as imprecise as autofocus.

[brysimm]

Setting manual exposure as a “one man crew” is not necessarily difficult... you just record a test clip of your exact setup (with yourself in the frame), check it and adjust exposure accordingly, then record a test clip again if needed. Auto exposure is dangerous, as is auto color balance - you don’t want those things changing while you’re recording video!

[bjohe]

I am really amazed it has included direct streaming to e.g. YouTube. They are really spot on my wish list :)

[ryantang]

Love both of your contents and have been following you guys for years. I am happy that you like the new GH5 mark ii but I am getting confused from your reaction. You mentioned there won’t be a future with the m43 system a while ago and if that’s the case, why would you still wholeheartedly recommend a camera system which has no future or have you changed your position or view towards m43 ? As a internet influencer, I really think you need to be responsible for what you have said and if you change your position, you should mention it. It is ok to change your opinion based on circumstances. We all can be wrong? We won’t be mad at you. Olympus did exit the camera industry but they are still here and that 150-400 pro lens is selling faster than they can make it which explains that the demand for m43 equipment is still here. Wouldn’t it too immature to declare this system dead ? Again, love your contents. Not trying to pick fight or anything. Just my observations.

[alantuttphotography]

Very surprised at how positive this review is. Also surprised that there was any situation in which Lumix AF outperformed Sony.

[Lofote]

"The most intuitive system is the Canon system". Sorry, but thats subjective, and you really should pronounce it that way. It 100% depends on the person trying to use something.

[TheNarrowbandChannel]

Tony puts way much emphasis on shallow depth of field. Its actually annoying.

[MarkMcLT]

Tony, your claim that you can't easily use manual exposure solo because you have to step toward the camera isn't really true if you use the Panasonic remote app via WiFi. Easy manual control right in your hand.

[ubacow]

Dude makes bold claims about MFT to tilt the industry then proceeds to stroke it ~ wild~

[ChristiaanRoest]

Good video Tony! Love the new version of the Panasonic GH5 👍

[GPadugan]

Are you holding a ghost? I thought MFT was dead?

[leonarddavis]

This maybe the worst advert for the GH5 11 ever !

[alexsystems]

I bought an A7R4 a while back and the trinity of G masters. The experience yielded the most amazing results BUT over time lugging something like the 70-200 with me got annoying and I started finding renewed interest in my GH5 and the 50-200 (100-400 FF Equivalent) I started to appreciate the compact size of the 8-18 and the 12-60 as well as the powerful IBIS which makes a difference in the low light photography and slower shutter speeds. Especially considering when you have 60MP in the A7R4 it doesn’t do as well in low light anyways. Also the ergonomics of the A7R4 and the lack of a fully articulating screen wasn’t that great as well, the menu system wasn’t too bad, it just was a drag it wasn’t touch screen which slowed down changes on the fly. Again the A7R4 was excellent but it just wasn’t the camera I found myself bringing with me. So the GH5II probably isn’t an upgrade consideration for me but I think the GH6 might be a consideration, especially if there is a megapixel bump and these 10-25 faster lenses I think will be amazing too. I can’t wait for the Gh6

[jerrygibson]

I've always heard that when it comes to shooting quality video... the best auto focus available on any camera is like trying to walk with a rubber crutch. Just use your iPhone or a gopro for vlogging but for shooting any worthwhile footage on a dslr everyone usually agrees that real pros stay on manual focus. Why would anyone use training wheels on a Harley? Most of the really expensive cinema cameras don't even have auto focus. I am sure you guys know all this but it seems like you choose to spend a lot of time regarding a basically trivial concern (auto focus) besides many of today's youtube videos are reaching such a pro level that any unintended random focus hunting looks subpar. I simply wish you had spent less time focusing on "auto focus" in this video and given more attention to comparing the other new attributes of the Gh5 mark 2 with Sony and Canon dslrs near the same price point. I know you touched on a few other things like iso but your brevity on subjects like 10 bit recording make me wonder if you may be Canon or Sony snobs... Ha! Other than that I love you guys and really enjoy your videos! You are great teachers and are really a lot of fun to watch! I have learned a lot of great stuff from you, Thanks!

[richarddutchholland]

If the new up and coming GH6 don’t drastically improve Panasonic will be in trouble...

[kellyphillips]

Adjust the exposure area being measured and you eliminate most if not all of the exposure fluctuations.

[TerenceKearns]

The most intuitive menu system is Blackmagic Design 😆