BMPCC4K vs GH5 | Blind Test

In this video we compare the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K to the Panasonic Lumix GH5. The video consists of a blind test where both cameras used the same lens and in-camera settings. The cameras were later on matched in Davinci Resolve in terms of exposure, contrast, white balance, tint etc.
If you want to see the straight out of camera look: • BMPCC4K vs GH5 | Blind...
Lens: Canon FD 35mm F2
Speedbooster: Viltrox EF-M2 0.71x
BMPCC4K settings: 4K UHD BRAW 8:1 at 25p - BMD Film
GH5 settings: 4K UHD 10-bit 150Mbps at 25p - V-Log L (Sharpness and NR at -5)
If you are looking to purchase any of the cameras:
Panasonic Lumix GH5
Amazon: amzn.to/2KTJT59
Ebay: ebay.us/GcDK7M
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Amazon: amzn.to/32LEHZy
Ebay: ebay.us/XOtY2b
Music:
Ambiment - The Ambient by Kevin MacLeod licensed under the license Creative Commons Attribution (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Gear I Use:
Camera (A-cam) - Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Amazon: amzn.to/32LEHZy
Ebay: ebay.us/XOtY2b
Camera (B-cam) - Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera (Original)
Amazon: amzn.to/39uRRMI
Ebay: ebay.us/etiuzm
All-round Lens - Sigma 18-35mm 1.8 Art
Amazon: amzn.to/32WLDT8
Ebay: ebay.us/B5SCdV
Lens Adapter/Speedbooster - Viltrox EF-M2 Speedbooster
Amazon: amzn.to/2TuqEnK
Ebay: ebay.us/nDtPwy
Lighting - Godox SL60W
Amazon: amzn.to/2xSmCxc
Ebay: ebay.us/OEaBp2
Microphone - Rode VideoMicro
Amazon: amzn.to/3cGxLRl
Ebay: ebay.us/BUtEYW
Monitor - Feelworld F6
Amazon: amzn.to/2TuqLzG
Ebay: ebay.us/w5X3kW
(Some of the links in my video descriptions are affiliate links, which means at no extra cost to you, I will make a small commission if you click them and make a qualifying purchase.)

[@carlscinema7086]

If you want to see the straight out of camera look: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGbYdqCYd9l9fsk Since the video has been out almost a week now I guess it's time to let you know which camera is which. I've seen some mixed responses in the comments which says alot about what you can do with either of these cameras. But here you have it, camera A is the BMPCC4K and B is the GH5!

[@sarahjames615]

The description of the video says that camera B is the Black Magic Pocket original under the section (Gear Used). Was this video some type of trick?

[@carlscinema7086]

It says "gear I use" and is there every video. Those are my regular A and B-cams, not to be confused with the A and B options of this video. Sorry if that wasn't clear enough.

[@simonmonty7171]

Exactly what I thought. Being a GH5 user myself it wasn't too hard to recognize the GH5 signature lol. 2 very capable cameras. Two things I noticed. The bmpcc is softer and feels a bit more cinematic I would say but not sure I like it that much to be honest. Some shots felt out of focus on the bmpcc and the skin tones looked much better to my eyes on the GH5. The only plus I would give to the bmpcc here would be a bit more dynamic range in most of the shots but picture profile also seemed more flat which should have helped.

[@roadrunna.]

Knew it in the first test. Nice video

[@OperationFreeSoul]

Great cameras and great comparison video! I was wondering: can you do post-production work to make the GH5 shots have the light and dark depth of the Blackmagic, and get rid of the slight yellowing that softens everything, or would that muddy things up?

[@jayclas4023]

I have both cameras and A is clearly BM. the detail in low light from the BM showed a big difference. The BM retains its detail in low light, while the GH5 is overly sharpened and lose it quickly with less light. For me, 90% of everything i shoot is pretty much low light.

[@rodroyo]

Thank you for your video comaprissons. I know it has passed by 1 year since you posted this video. I wonder how you recorded in the GH5 internally with codecs .mov or h264? or exteranally to prores or dnx?

[@artemus80j.4]

Both Cameras are great. Unfortunately none of them will make you a great filmmaker, only YOU can make that happen regardless of which of these 2 you prefer to use.

[@QuadzHeadshot]

I wish I could give this comment a million likes

[@atlas3565]

Can someone help me out, I plan on buying this camera along with a sigma 18-35 mm lens, but every setup I’ve seen includes some sort of speed booster, do I NEED one in order to get my camera up and going? Sorry if this is a dumb question I’m new to cameras.

[@tiktokgrowthsecrets]

Yes you do. Sigma 18/35 is a canon EF APSC lens and BMpcc 4k and GH5 are micro four Thirds. The speed booster makes the sigma compatible.

[@carlscinema7086]

You don't NEED a speed booster, but you need an adapter of some kind. If that adapter is a speed booster or not is up to you. But the bmpcc4k has a MFT mount so you need an adapter to fit the Canon EF or Nikon F mount of the lens to it. If you get the EF version just make sure you get an adapter with electronics, otherwise you wont be able to control the aperture.

[@DennisSchmitz]

A must be Blackmagic, B has some strong oversharpening which is the GH5 trademark look.

[@joannisk]

what did you use for adapting the FD lens on the Viltrox? Was it modded or did you use an adapter? I have an FD lens that I want to try with my Viltrox but I'm sure on what adapter to pick...

[@carlscinema7086]

I have modded my canon FD's to EF-mount, so thats how I use them on my Viltrox. Going from FD to EF with adapters is not a good idea unfortunately. Thats because FD uses a longer flange than EF. If you go from EF to MFT for example, MFT's short flange distance allows space for an adapter that will compensate. But since FD uses a longer flange than EF it wont sit at the right distance from the sensor. So adapters from FD to EF do it two different ways, one is just making an adapter and getting to flange wrong, this means the lens wont focus properly and can't reach infinity. The other is using a piece of glass in the adapter to reach infinity focus but that would instead degrade the image quite a bit. So not really any good options when it comes to adapters.

[@joannisk]

@@carlscinema7086 Yeah that's why I asked. I know that you can't just use them on the Speedbooster like an M42 lens for example. I also don't want to buy a cheap FD to EF adapter with glass in it because I'm sure that it will affect the image quality... Your image on the other hand looks great so I knew it couldn't be an adapter. Did you mod it yourself? Do you have a kit that you'd suggest? (hope it doesn't cost a fortune as well :P)

[@carlscinema7086]

Another option is to get a FD-MFT speedbooster. I did the mod myself and bought these 3D printed ones www.shapeways.com/product/2W795AYL3/fdn-to-ef-mount?optionId=61225128 unfortunately you can only buy them in plastic now, but you could get them in different metals before. I bought plastic ones because they were so cheap but would like to get them in metal and swap the mounts if they bring back the option of choosing metal. That's because the plastic wears a bit after swapping lenses multiple times the connection isnt as solid. So when using a follow focus for example the lens can wiggle a bit which will show in the footage. So solid metal mounts is the way to go.

[@joannisk]

@@carlscinema7086 I see, hopefully they'll bring the metal ones back because I don't trust plastic for that job! Thanks a lot for replying so fast and being so helpful!

[@colinthecameraguy]

I think B is BMCC . . . .greater Dynamic Range??

[@Mowshun]

This is a really great test, thank you. I use the GH5 regularly so could spot the highlight roll-off difference and the particular -skin tone look. The A-B comparison shot at 3:30 is particularly telling. I wanted to ask, was the sharpness of the V-Log - L photo style set to 0? I would be very curious to see how it looked with the sharpness turned down, whether that would soften the highlight roll-off in the skin, or soften out the sharper, highlighty-feeling texture of the shirt. They have such radically different pixel densities, with the GH5 having pixels about half the size of the BMPCC4K, that to try and make one look like the other is a real challenge, so I wondered if deliberately softening would manage that.

[@carlscinema7086]

Thanks :) Sharpness and NR was both set to -5 on the GH5, as stated in the beginning of the video. Having sharpness at 0 or even higher just makes the GH5 look way to oversharpened and "digital" in my opinion.

[@Mowshun]

@@carlscinema7086 aah i missed that, thanks for pointing that out! I agree with the look of it.

[@ExploringWorldYouTube]

Very interesting video. Thank you I am not an expert because I just like to shoot. I'd like to ask a questio please, hoping someone experienced will answer me. 1) I only make documentaries in remote areas, around the world. 2) I travel alone. 3) I like to film in 4K 50p 10bit. 4) I would like to get the same or slightly better video quality than the GH5. 5) I would like a room that is easy to use. Which room do you think is the best for me? I could also accept a small camcorder, but only if it has excellent image quality. I thought of Blackmagic because it was small but then I realized that maybe it's not for me. Thank you very much for the advice.

[@tevon6258]

The cameras are quite different. I could tell right away A was Black Magic. It just has more colors. Especially in the dark; it's quite beautiful in the low light. I also noticed it on the lamp. The distinction between the greens (in the lamp vs. the wall) lessened when it switched to Camera B (GH5). B I thought had a very focused look -- which would come to serve it as we got toward the back half of the comparison with the brighter scenes, and profile shots. The kind of stoic image you'd imagine in a portrait. But you could feel that the colors were being tamed for that -- which is most harsh on the skin tones -- I imagine that's the highlight roll off. The shadows on the subject's face looked real CGI-ish and artificial on B. The low light doesn't serve it well. I will say the bright reds in his shirt were much more vivid in B than A at the profile shots at 0:57. Great blind test. Really made you focus on the images. Once we got toward the movement I thought you switched cameras. I thought the 60frames looked better on B.

[@AustralianImage]

Tests like these don't really demonstrate much other than one 'can' make one camera look somewhat similar to another, even when it comes to a mobile phone camera. What's important is what you can actually get out of one camera vs another when it comes to maximum image quality or usability. On another note, Metabones now makes a special speedbooster that is specifically designed for the BMPCC4K because it uses a thinner glass over the sensor. Viltrox speedboosters have been know to sometimes be problematic.

[@Skopefilms]

The A looks much softer with deeper colors to my eyes, I think it is the BMPCC4K.

[@danielaragao]

both color corrected in DaVinci Resolve?

[@carlscinema7086]

Yes sir

[@danielaragao]

@@carlscinema7086 Nice. Did you transcode the H264 footage from GH5 into ProRes before doing the correction?

[@carlscinema7086]

I did not, no transcodes for either.

[@mohdfirdaus9050]

At the end of the day, it's difficult to tell which is which.

[@carlscinema7086]

Exactly! So when shooting a project, focus on the important stuff and stop worrying about the camera that you currently own.

[@Sundirre]

@@carlscinema7086 but my guess is you had to grade bmppc to GH5 color, vice versa you couldnt match it

[@MrSmithToday]

So no is gh5 accordingto your list?

[@carlscinema7086]

What do you mean?

[@inkusaido]

Brown tan on A gave it away, pocket signature there. Also the microcontrasts on the GH5. Both images are amazing imo

[@georgefromgreece4119]

Exactly

[@DivindiumPLAY]

сделай тест на детализацию . с увеличением

[@calebe16]

idk which is which. But on the face scenes I liked B more. I thought both were amazing, but A felt oversharppened. It was weird. On the table scene, I couldn't really choose any. I felt like B had lot more contrast and A was softer. I thought you changed the cameras. On the rubik's cube scene, A seems to have some weird effect on the edges on some rapid movements. I've been a potographer for a while and wanted to learn more about videographer. It seems like creating the history is by far the hardest part, but I'm wondering what a camera with better video options could possibly help me with. Until now, not seeing anything that would make sense the investment, I guess. It would be cool to know which is which in this video. I can't find it anywhere hahah

[@carlscinema7086]

Just posted which is which now, A is the BMPCC4K and B is the GH5

[@martinkulik9466]

@@carlscinema7086 I am not even video maker and I thought a is BM. gh5 had harsh skin tones in low light, also looked more artificial. a looked more organic. almost nobody pointed out in comments

[@sergiofilmmaker94]

its a difficult one. Ill give it a guess that A is BM

[@dvsvamsi2421]

I think a is bmpcc 4k bcz of green cast

[@MikeKalLive]

Pretty hard to be honest but i guessed it right. Key differences are the colour science as seen at 1:00 and also the oversharpened image at 3:40. The gh5 has a yellowish tint too especially in the reds which make them look orange and a little oversaturated. But if I didn't have the two beside one another it's pretty much indistinguishable. More low light could potentially make the differences more prominent. All in all if I was a viewer I couldn't care less about the quality of the image as is. But things like raw on the bm could come in handy for a cinematographer. DR is in both pretty much the same with a slight edge on bm but I can't swear on that.

[@carlscinema7086]

Great comment! Exactly, a viewer thats invested in the story probably couldn't care less which camera was used. So don't let the camera that you currently own hold you back, its probably way more capable than most people think. And if you know your camera you'll find ways to work around its quirks and flaws. But as you said, the are for sure some things that are very nice to have in camera as a cinematographer that the end viewer probably wont be very affected by. I did switch from the GH5 to the BMPCC4K, and I'd like to think it wasn't without a reason, but I do know that you can get amazing images out of both cameras.

[@dalesanchezvisuals]

B is the GH5.

[@damienswaby95]

I think A is the BMPCC4K. Am I right?

[@TheXenoray]

A is Black Magic - it has more filmic look. B is more "digita processedl"

[@Pteradactel]

b - gh5

[@MUSICALDTV]

A is the bmpcc4k i believe

[@eddiehateseverything]

Dude you look so much like the lead singer of De Staat...

[@isart3757]

B,, POCKET 4K because of the skin tone. black magic produce skin tone in red channel

[@shaunmaddox]

A (Blackmagic) has a higher dynamic range, yet softer image. B (Panasonic) is digitally sharper with a greenish tint. The joy of knowing your 📷. Awesome video, thank you!

[@bradver2072]

If the color is soft and color like pastel, it would be gh5.

[@floydmcp]

A - Black / B - PANA.

[@user-cn4sr2mu9v]

A

[@montikorbelle]

B is definitely the Blackmagic. The night shot gave it away

[@alejandromaclean3666]

No...

[@martinkulik9466]

A was better

[@sorinalexandrucirstea1994]

This test is useless. If you grade the footage and compress it, then it's almost pointless to even compare. The benefits of raw capture and accurate colors won't show themselves in these types of tests.

[@inkusaido]

Color shows itself perfectly here and knowing the colors of each sensor I was able to tell them appart, so it must be on your side of the screen.

[@carlscinema7086]

Wouldn't a viewer of your film see a version that is edited, graded and then compressed? But if you are more interested in the out of camera look, check out my latest video, part 2 of this one.

[@THEBigShot803]

useless video if don't write at the end what is A and what B

[@AstroLaVista]

Made me laugh out loud when there was no reveal at the end, I was like what the F.... I enjoyed it apart from that and would be quite happy with either.

[@carlscinema7086]

It's pinned in the comments ;) Camera A is the BMPCC4K and B is the GH5!

[@yannmassard3970]

those shots were so ugly my computer almost died.