Panasonic GH5s vs Blackmagic 4K

Today I am taking a look at the Panasonic GH5s and Blackmagic Design 4K Cinema Camera. In this video I show comparison footage that stretches each camera to their limits. Sample footage from commercial work I have used and even a exposure test at the end. Both cameras have their place with some amazing features but which do you prefer?

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#PanasonicGH5s #GH5s #Blackmagic4K

[MTobin]

What's impressive to me is that your five year old Black Magic is still kicking some serious butt with your cinematography endeavors. It was clearly worth the hefty price tag..

[AndrewJFann]

I just saw this post two years later. I still have a BMPC4K EF and I use it frequently. The GH5 is very limited file-wise, just like any DSLR or mirrorless. However, paired with an Atomos external recorder and a 400 mbps write speed to an external drive, I have to admit that the results are pretty astounding. Having to make the decision between the price points for each, I think the BMPC4K is the clear winner, but you lack the slo-mo options. Even without that, it's still a great option, even in 2020.

[Scope]

I'm still rocking my BM Production camera 4K, and I love it!

[Moriarty]

Also Blackmagic Production Camera 4k have a global shutter, that's the best feature of this camera!

[BapiMishraEntertainment]

Sir
what is the actual size of Ir cut filter(blue) using in black magic design 4k Production cinema camera ef mount

[tracksideentertainment]

I bought a GH4 back when I wanted a BM and couldn't afford it. Now that I can afford a BM, I bought a GH5S and never looked back. To see the cameras in some practical action search Live on the Riverbend. I began shooting the show with just my GH4. Now I use the GH4, my GH5S, a Sony A7SII and sometimes if need be a Sony FS7. The GH5S is the clear leader in nearly every regard. Much like the BM, the FS7 gives me a more naturally cinematic image but the light and color features pale in comparison to the GH5S. Hands down the best general/multi purpose camera I've ever shot with.

[stanlymanly]

Your exposure test is flawed. The only thing you are changing is your aperture and its not in a real world situation or proper exposure steps for comparison. Test the different Native ISO's of the GH5s vs the few ISO's the BMPC4k has. Compare them in 1-3 stops over, under and perfect exposure then see how each one behaves in terms of Dynamic Range, Noise and detail recovery. The adjustment of your aperture doesnt do either sensor any justice when there was no basis to why you would overexpose to the point there's nothing there.

No one is going to film completely blown out then try to recover the image. That doesn't make sense. Put it in a situation where you overexpose to save detail in the shadows or under expose to save the highlights then in post bring up or pull down the exposure to bring out what you're trying to salvage.

[FilmedbyFresh]

I am really interested in the new BMPC4k coming out, are you planning on testing ?

[ellarpc]

I love my GH5s. But it's true. Blackmagic cameras have the film look and feel. I've always thought that and lusted over them. But the work I do for most of my clients the Blackmagic cameras never really hit the mark for me. That being said. The pocket 4K sounds like it can be the best of both worlds. Btw I rarely film faster than 60p and when I do I end up not using the footage. Thanks for the comparison video. I always love to see Blackmagic footage.

[Holtenstein]

You should be using the Metabones XL not the Ultra with full frame glass. Then you will have only a 1.18x crop. 10 bit 4:2:2 into the Atomos in ProRes HQ is 1700mbps. RAW would be nice.

[PromoMoviescomau]

Much prefer the colour and 'feel' of the BM.

[BlackWarriorLures]

Yeah, that just goes to show a camera is more than its specifications. There is an intangible aspect that almost no one talks about. I'm afraid we live in a time when technical specification has replaced art form. I think Blackmagic and Canon understand this and most everyone else is just selling specs.

[BurgmanChile]

"it doesn't even shoot 60p in 1080" not sure why most people think that filming crap in slow motion makes it automatically cinematic and buy rigs only to shoot 12, 000fps. cinematography is way beyond slow motion but what do I know. if you have cash, get the 24, 000 fps camera.

[GurmeetSingh-fruo]

Do you recommend the Panasonic GH5s or Fuji XT3 for video features only and low light ?

[Ben-rzcf]

To me i am more concerned with whether the BMPC4K compares to the new pocket 4k since it has the new GH5 sensor.

[andytee]

Are you going to try out the BMPC4K? frame rate on the spec sheets looks interesting

[MrCameon]

what music is that playing behind the video? I like that song. Can you tell me what song is that?

[lboymusic]

What about Auto Focus performance? Is it so bad as Panasonic cameras? Is it decent like the Sonys? Thanks

[Akasacarafilm]

I made a feature film with a single BMCC 2.5K + a single GH3 Combo through the course of 2014-2017. BMCC for "film section" and GH3 for "mockumentary/news section". These are two brands that actually listen to film maker. I'll take these two any day over anything Canon has to offer.

[TheFirstCause]

This is exactly my situation. I have the Production 4k, it is great for essentially everything for me... aside from low light. I don't actually care about slow motion so the camera has been great aside from that low light. To me paired with a good lens it looks WAY more film like and cinematic than most of the smaller cameras. The A7Sii, GH5s have tempted me because of the low light abilities... but they still look so video'ish. I've been mostly waiting for the Pocket 4k now but the wait list is massive so I might grab one of ebay which I imagine will be an option pretty quickly.