Panasonic Lumix GH5II Real World Review | with Tips & Tricks

This video review covers some practical use experience shooting video with the Panasonic Lumix GH5M2 (GH5MII). The Panasonic Lumix GH5II is a great travel camera and paired with the Lumix 12-35mm F2.8 zoom lens it's a video powerhouse.
This video review will cover the pros and cons of using the Panasonic Lumix GH5II camera in the real world and won't focus heavily on specifications.
🇺🇸 B&H Links to Gear:
🛒 Panasonic GH5II - bhpho.to/3yDVn4z
🛒 Panasonic 12-35mm Lens - bhpho.to/3IJtM6n
🛒 Battery Grip (same one different name) - bhpho.to/3ChTFHO
🇩🇪 Amazon Links Germany
🛒 Panasonic GH5II - amzn.to/3ktLzaF
🛒 Panasonic 12-35mm Lens - amzn.to/3IO2jCY
🛒 Battery Grip - amzn.to/3XVtlfS
🇦🇺 Amazon Links Australia:
🛒 Panasonic GH5II - amzn.to/3tubsI1
🛒 Panasonic 12-35mm Lens - amzn.to/3tuFpHS
🛒 Battery Grip (same one different name) - amzn.to/3hCco7L
🇬🇧 Amazon Links UK :
🛒 Panasonic GH5II - amzn.to/3YSZJ45
🛒 Panasonic 12-35mm Lens - amzn.to/3ZfSVgN
🛒 Battery Grip (same one different name) - amzn.to/3IjzInA
🇨🇦Amazon Links Canada:
🛒 Panasonic GH5II - amzn.to/3lYp0vo
🛒 Panasonic 12-35mm Lens - amzn.to/3m3XVHe
🛒 Battery Grip (same one different name) - amzn.to/3lPHPAE
Video Chapters
0:00 - About this video
0:41 - GH5M2 Sample Video
1:03 - Image Quality
1:43 - Battery Grip (link below)
2:29 - Color Science (Natural Profile)
3:20 - IBIS & Stabilization
4:14 - Dual SD Card Slots
5:06 - Panasonic 12-35mm F2.8 Overview
5:48 - Mega OIS Additional Information
6:07 - Audio Preamps
7:01 - Autofocus Performance
7:53 - Low Light / Golden Hour
8:46 - Low Light Issues with Aperture Priority
9:20 - VFR Mode Slow Motion (Indoors) vs Lumix S5
10:06 - Auto Exposure Fluctuations
10:56 - Tips and Tricks IBIS Function
12:05 - SD Card Slot Settings
12:23 - Panasonic 12-35mm F2.8 Additional Info
13:07 - Fixing the Auto Exposure Issue
13:24 - Customising the Picture Profiles
13:55 - Battery Grip Information
14:29 - Thoughts about the GH5M2
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►My Website - GeekyNerdyTechy.com
►Panasonic S5II - bhpho.to/3w0sMWR
►Panasonic S Series Lenses - bhpho.to/3HfXaTD
►Sony FX3 - bhpho.to/2XdAKOd
►Sony FX30 - bhpho.to/42Qg0s8
►Godox MoveLink II Wireless - bhpho.to/3OCDHyC
Links to B&H, Amazon, or Sweetwater are affiliate links.
#camera #lumix #filmmaking @PanasonicLumixVideo @LumixUSA

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Thanks for watching. The GH5II is a great camera for KZbin, Travel, Photos and more. I hope you like this review. Links to all of the gear listed below. 🇺🇸 B&H Links to Gear: 🛒 Panasonic GH5II - bhpho.to/3yDVn4z 🛒 Panasonic 12-35mm Lens - bhpho.to/3IJtM6n 🛒 Battery Grip (same one different name) - bhpho.to/3ChTFHO 🇩🇪 Amazon Links Germany 🛒 Panasonic GH5II - amzn.to/3ktLzaF 🛒 Panasonic 12-35mm Lens - amzn.to/3IO2jCY 🛒 Battery Grip - amzn.to/3XVtlfS 🇦🇺 Amazon Links Australia: 🛒 Panasonic GH5II - amzn.to/3tubsI1 🛒 Panasonic 12-35mm Lens - amzn.to/3tuFpHS 🛒 Battery Grip (same one different name) - amzn.to/3hCco7L 🇬🇧 Amazon Links UK : 🛒 Panasonic GH5II - amzn.to/3YSZJ45 🛒 Panasonic 12-35mm Lens - amzn.to/3ZfSVgN 🛒 Battery Grip (same one different name) - amzn.to/3IjzInA 🇨🇦Amazon Links Canada: 🛒 Panasonic GH5II - amzn.to/3lYp0vo 🛒 Panasonic 12-35mm Lens - amzn.to/3m3XVHe 🛒 Battery Grip (same one different name) - amzn.to/3lPHPAE (affiliate links)

[@MLee-vcrr]

Great overview and good tips for use man. I've seen your other videos on this camera. I literally just bought the GH5ii today. I'm already heavily invested in the M4/3's system and was torn between this and the new GH6. It was the live streaming feature that pushed towards the GH5ii, which I got for a really nice price. BTW ...you're right about the "natural profile", it happens to be my favorite as well. Keep up the good work!

[@Pachiscruz2]

A big thank you for your tips! I’ve been having problems with the low light situations, but always filmed in Aperture mode. I’m going to try this other way

[@Mraz75]

Awesome review, i’m starting to love GH5ii. Thank you for the tips, sir.

[@jd5787]

Love my GH5ii. I spend most of my time in manual mode as I have a bunch of EF adapted lenses. Great camera...

[@albertspeier5047]

For the bang for the buck this camera cannot be beat it is excellent you just got to know how to use it

[@iSpike]

✨📸 🎬 G’day Shane 👍🏻 Well done mate, I’ve had my GH5M2 for a few days now and want to THANK YOU for being ahead of the global curve and producing this video. 🫵🏻😎 Bloody Legend. Cheers from the Westside 🇦🇺

[@boubnadproduction2902]

But gh5 ii is not compatible with ronin RS 2 or RS 3 !!!!

[@PeterGregg]

Awesome video, awesome imaging, awesome tips! Big thumbs up 👍👍👍 The pictures from Hawaii Shane were really beautiful, the scenery there is incredibly beautiful! Using the GH52 your skill and talent shine :) I found the background depth not to be bad at all TBH. I know I drill down on blurred backgrounds, but a lot of people like to see more of the backgrounds than I normally do. I think you presented a LOT of great footage, I applaud your video :) This was a great production you did, lots of b-roll and honestly it was really interesting. The camera did better than I thought but I think you have that ability to coax more out of it than the average guy lol. 👍

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Thanks for the kind words, Peter. I had a fun time overseas and it made for a great archive of beautiful location footage. :)

[@L0rDLuCk]

nice video, thanks!

[@RobertSababady]

Thx for sharing your experience Shane. I have two of these GH5M2 cameras that we use for streaming hybrid events. We use the USB-C port with a PD charger to keep the camera powered up. Even when recording, charging and streaming, the camera gets hot but we have not seen an overheat warning so far. Just lve this camera!

[@frankluo230]

How do you use them in a multi camera event? Wired LAN dongle or wifi? Or HDMI wireless receiver? And on the pc switcher side, what do you use? Thanks heaps in advance

[@RobertSababady]

@@frankluo230 hdmi optic cables to an ATEM mini extreme if mixing onsite or Elgato camlink to a laptop if mixing offsite. I donot use any wireless connections for live events.

[@TonysTravel]

Hi Shane! Just to be fair you can change the color profile or picture profile immediately with the button on the left of the red recording button. Also using the Q menu as you said is another option

[@josekuhn2819]

I love your objective takes on camera and lens reviews. Question Looking to get the Gh6. Should I get the OM 20mm f1.4 for video shots sans CAF? I have the 12-35mm f2.8 mkII and the 25mm f1.4 mkII but now I am leaning OM 20mm f.1.4 or Oly 17mm f1.2. The Sigma 16 mm f1.4 is out due to lateral CAs. I have the Sigmam 56mm f1.4 for photography and its great except when it isn't, lateral CAs..

[@mssapmaz]

Thanks for another great review. Could you achieve similar results (smooth handheld footage) with S5 during your vacation trip?

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

The Ibis on the S5 is great if you don't walk with it. I find it a bit "flappy" compared with the GH5II when you just want to get good handheld walking shots without ninja walking. Stationary shots, it works fine for but I didn't love the walking results with the S5 for walking, to be honest.

[@RZExperience]

Hi mate,great video as always. Did you think about getting Panasonic 24-105 f4 for the S5? It seems like a great combination for video work. Cheers.

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

It looks like a great lens but it's quite a lot larger than the new prime lenses or the kit zoom. It's a great range either way and I am sure the video quality will be good with the F4.

[@Ulrich.Bierwisch]

I added the 12mm/F1.4 to my setup and this gives me two stops more in low light situations. This is perfect for the time after sunset.

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

That lens is very good. I only recently sold mine but it's a great lens.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Hi there, thanks for the awesome videos on the GH5M2. I have a problem with mine. I shoot in 4k60 and have noticed that while panning, or even moving while vlogging, I get a juddery feel to the footage. What are the best settings to use to eliminate the juddering? If you look on my channel at the video titled "How to run a club contest station" and at about 35 seconds in, you can see the juddering quite well. Is this related to image stabilization? I am using the stock Lumix lens which can with the camera. Thank you in advance!

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

It looks like you have IS Boost on when walking. IS Boost is used mostly for tripod looking shots and no so much for vlogging purposes. See how you go with that mate.

[@AoyagiAichou]

"For a 24-70 to be this small is unheard of" - yeah, check out the old 12-32 f/3.5. That's small! I want to get both the f/2.8 zooms though for obvious reasons :) . But yeah, lowlight with any Lumix camera means going full manual for me.

[@pianopotato]

Great video Shane! Can you use the updated BLK22 batteries with the Neewer battery grip with the Gh5 ii?

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Yep, they work fine in there :)

[@boubnadproduction2902]

Hi. What is the iso natif of gh5 ii and how you controle manual focus when you shoot with VLog ? Have a nice day

[@artistjoh]

I hope that even though you don't intend to buy the GH6, that one day you can borrow or hire one because I would love to see your perspective of comparing the GH6 and GH5 M2. you are good at looking at the real world usage minus the usual KZbin over-hype or over-asasinate that that is all too common on KZbin. I am still using the G9, but the video features are leading me to trading in my 1Dx and 7D ii and investing in either the GH6 or GH5 M2 and at this stage I am not sure which I will go for. BTW the Lumix 12-35 lives on my G9. A very underrated lens and together with the 35-100, are always with me. There are other Panasonic lenses that get little attention but are superb. The two power zooms for example. Bought used they are dirt cheap yet give fantastic results in good light and are amazingly lightweight. I bought them to use on the LS300 because you can use the rocker on the camera for zooming but have been surprised how much I like those lenses because of the results.

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

I'd love to review if Panasonic are okay to send one out at some point. I thought I might have had one before launch but sadly, it didn't happen. I'm. keen to test it out but for my own use case the GH5II does what I need to do in most situations. :)

[@kevinleighuk]

Thanks for all your videos on the GH5 MkII. I have just bought one and am learning about it. As you know the manual in the box is next to useless (at least if you are familiar with the Panasonic 4/3 cameras) and the almost 900-page downloadable manual tells you what things do but not how to use them. So finding someone like you who uses the camera regularly in the real world is very helpful. I've moved from a G6 I've had for over 10 years and wanted to rejuvenate my photography. I think I've found the right camera to do so. Mine came a as kit deal with the Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4 lens which I hope to keep as my everyday lens. I have never been in to videoing and I can see this is your main thing. But don't forget those of us who still mainly use cameras for photos and not movies! Cheers!

[@acepilot2067]

I'm having a nightmare with the AF system on my GHM2, especially if the light is slightly low. It either doesn't focus or "sticks" at an incorrect setting,...... or takes ages. I've tried different focus modes but with little effect. Other than that a great camera for streaming to YT which is why I bought it. Great vid, as usual 👍

[@markshirley01]

Do you think the GH6 would do better - I was thinking of getting it with the 10-25 f1.7.

[@franzpi94]

Ehi man love your channel! Can u suggest me a npf battery that works for Panasonic gh5 mark II?

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Thanks Francesco. I just use the offical batteries in my cameras. BLK22 is the model number.

[@WalterDrayton]

Got one in Feb 2022, iso stopped working properly by May and I had to send it back to Panasonic in Florida for repairs via UPS. That cost me $72, still waiting to hear some sort of verdict on the needed repairs. Very disappointing.

[@murph6547]

Hi, love your videos, i love panasonic cameras, have fz1000 , now i want to buy gh5 ii , how is vlog & cinelike d2 color science? Skin tones specially? Do you recommend gh5 ii or canon r8 for travel videos…

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Vlog-L is fine on this camera. I wasn't the biggest fan of Cine-D2 on the GH5II, it looked a bit weird, but a firmware version fixed it I am pretty sure. I haven't tried the R8 before sorry.

[@stevens2279]

@GeekyNerdyTechy It looks like a great camera, but I'm still on the fence between M43 and FF. Would you recommend the s5 or s5ii as we near 2024? I want to shoot commercially and for some film work.

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

The S5II is a great camera. If your budget can allow it, it's my favorite current camera on the market. The GH5II is still great (I sold the one in this video, only to buy another one the other day) haha. You'll get better end-results for short films a lot easier with the full frame system. If you're manually focusing, it's closer, but the 6k open gate and large sensor does give you excellent results. I got another one of thee recently because they are now very affordable and also great for travel due to the smaller lenses.

[@KallusGarnet]

Have you used the livestreaming feature on this camera, I was interested in getting it for live streaming but not enough videos talking about it.

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

I have. There's a tutorial guide on the channel a few videos back. I don't really need to use it for my own stuff, but it works reliably if the internet connection is solid.

[@YamilIsaac]

Great videos! What do you think about S5 vs GH5ii if you could choose only one for video?

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

It really depends on what you need. The IBIS and unlimited recording are the two the main advantages of MFT. The image quality on the S5 is better than the GH5/GH6 if you need better low light, dynamic range, and more background separation.

[@YamilIsaac]

Thanks! Your channel is great. Greetings from Argentina! If you have some time I invite you to check out my music in my channel.

[@dccoletrain]

The S5 is such a great value. I should get one. Haha

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

It's the best Full Frame camera for the price hands down (at least for my needs). I love it. :)

[@CornerstoneWorshipTutorials]

Shane, can you use UHS-I sd cards, i.e., the famous 128gb Sandisk UHS-I? Thanks a lot!

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

You can use those old SDXC cards no problems. It will work in all modes except all-i. I even use those old Yellow ones when I run out of space on my faster cards.

[@albertspeier5047]

I think the GH5 mark 2 is a lot better than GH6 specific for the money

[@iSpike]

Yeah, I 100% agree that’s why I purchased mine. Looking forward to seeing all to cool videos created using this camera 👍🏻

[@freddiecauseyii9419]

I may have missed it. But can you live stream using the app on your phone; while recording out externally through the HDMI port to get a video.

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Good question. I would assume the live streaming doesn't affect the HDMI output but I haven't tested it directly.

[@Troy_Sent_A_Message]

What exposure/false color tools does it have if any for video? Also focus peaking?

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

It has great autofocus peaking. You can set it up in different strength settings. You can even assign it to a function button. I don't think it has false colour.

[@garypranzo9334]

Bokeh is overused in video these days. I moved away from using DSLR's years ago but tried the GH5 last month and decided it was almost perfect and the mark2 fixed or minimized the few cons of the OG GH5. I am using the 12-35 2.8 as my main lens and the artisan 7.5mm 1.7 when I need it wider. I shoot indoors so I tend to use wider lenses. The IBIS is magical and rivals my old consumer Sony avx53 camcorder which has the BOSS floaty ball lens system I love. I can confirm that autofocus is now very usable for my videos at least but I still use manual mostly. I shoot in a studio with controlled lighting and I try to run the camera ISO 400 and never over 800 but I personally would not use this camera if I needed to go over 1600 to get good exposure for what I am shooting. If I did event shooting and did not have control of light I would go for the GH5S or better yet a full-frame camera with a gimble. For outdoors and indoors with controlled light the GH5 or GH52 are great.

[@OzzieTech]

Great camera but I am def waiting to afford a GH6.

[@kayodeolaosebikan7462]

I'm waiting for your review of the GH6, I hope you will focus and show us more on its AF (using the 25-50mm f1.7 lens), low light compare to S5 and IBIS.

[@markshirley01]

Do you think the GH6 and say the 10-25 F1.7 could negate the lowlight problems.

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

I think it will still suffer from worse performance over full frame but for "most" conditions, it will be fine. The faster the lens, the better the results. I haven't used a GH6 yet, but from what I have seen it's not even close with low light compared with the S5.

[@castielvargastv7931]

i always use 1,7 lenses, this means no low light problems here.

[@boubnadproduction2902]

But the problem is that this Gh5 ii is not compatible with either Ronin RS2 or Rs3 and that's disappointing. I, who require the use of a Ronin stabilizer, am frustrated.

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

That's not a fault of the camera. DJI will no doubt update the firmware for it. I am pretty sure the Ronin S already has the update.

[@sylvaokumu631]

My gh5 II iso is just 400 I don’t know why can you help me

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Hit the iso button on the top and then move it from there

[@newfoundmass]

I thought you switched to Sony?!

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

I never said that. I did buy a few and also traded my old GH5 cameras in for some but I have a Panasonic GH5II and 4x Lumix S5 cameras for my main multi-camera setup. The Sony is used mostly for the tech channel outdoor videos.

[@newfoundmass]

@@GeekyNerdyTechy glad to hear it!