Panasonic Lumix GH5 II tested! 10 Biggest Changes You Need To Know

The successor to the Panasonic Lumix GH5 is here.. but it's the Panasonic Lumix GH5II and not the GH6. Why Panasonic creates this GH5II while the GH6 is also coming soon? And what are the 10 biggest differences between the GH5II and the original GH5?
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0:00 Introduction
2:17 Image Stabilisation
5:07 Live Streaming
8:13 Video Recording Output
10:28 Image Quality
11:45 Manual Focus (Linear)
12:45 Battery
14:24 Firmware
16:45 Autofocus
18:46 Menu System
20:00 LCD Screen
21:25 Final Thoughts

[@KarlRock]

Thanks Richard. Very good review and video.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Glad you enjoyed it Karl!

[@gcprost]

I have two GH5's and I just purchased a GH5 Mk2. I shoot multicam. Last night I shot a live theatre production. I used the GH5 Mk2 with the Panasonic 35-100 mm f2.8 to shoot the close ups. I used the human/animal mode on continuous auto focus. It performed excellently. I have a lot of confidence in the autofocus performance.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Great to hear. I feel the latest DFD autofocus system works a lot better than most people thought it is capable of

[@GlennUpgraded]

Wow! So much details and so fast with the upload. Thank you! The camera became more impressive to me as you reviewed it. Good job!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Glad you liked it! Yes I have been working on this review for a while! Thanks for watching Glenn

[@davex142]

Thank you, Richard! Very thorough and professional comparison. Good job as usual!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

My pleasure! Thank you for watching :)

[@RatherBeNapping]

This is the most comprehensive review on the mkii I’ve seen so far. Great job.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Oh thank you so much

[@ArtofServer]

Thank you for making this video. It was really helpful!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thanks for watching, glad the video helped :)

[@ShauntProductions]

What an awesome breakdown. Richard, well done man!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thank you very much @Shaunt Kouyoumdjian!

[@BenFox01]

CONGRATS RICHARD!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

haha thanks Ben!

[@marcusgaertner52]

Great review as always. Thank you so much.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@DeFineAl]

Very Comprehensive just bought a mark 2 and this confirms that this was the sensible choice.

[@afieqalauddien]

awesome videos about the new GH5 MKII. Thank you for sharing!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thanks for watching!

[@winniduesseldorf]

Thank you so much for this informative video. Great review !

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thanks for watching Winni!

[@CamMead]

Nice review Richard!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Glad you enjoyed it Cam!

[@our-big-day-on-film]

Great video! Just ordered a GH5 M2 to go alongside my GH5S and old battered GH5. Really looking forward to trying out the Mark 2!

[@Miguel-nf1lf]

The best GH5 Ii review I have seen so far. Thanks for sharing

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thank you!

[@manilamartin1001]

Thanks for this great review.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Oh thank you for watching!

[@asafblasbergvideographer]

Can I ask what lens you used for this video? Thanks

[@ericmuijs1938]

Excellent review content

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thank you Eric

[@franzpi94]

Ehi man great video! I just bought a Panasonic gh5 mark 2 and I’m looking for a solution for the battery. So I do have a baxxtar npf 970 battery (7.2 volt) and I’m looking for a plate that can work during recording with the gh5 m2. Do u have any recommendations?

[@wolfgangpetersun2730]

As usual in your YT-channel: a very good and intersting review video.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thank you very much Wolfgang Peterson !

[@shyamhk]

Hey man he listens to your philosophy, gear up, go out and shoot it great! :)

[@professionalpotato4764]

Might switch to the GH5ii... from the XT4. In terms of image quality, I've got nothing wrong with the XT4, but the audio preamps isn't very good. Running audio through a external preamp into the camera doesn't exactly improve it. If I do end up shooting more documentary or interview style videos, then I'll make the switch. Before anyone asks, I don't want to carry around another external recorder. It's extra fuss, extra batteries to worry about, extra cables and rigging.

[@ProcessedDigitally]

Keep them both..

[@eppietimisela7118]

Coming from the G90 should I upgrade to the GH5MK2 or a huge jump to the latest GH6? Im just a regular youtube content maker which is travele and food. So any advice?

[@TheRealRichardWong]

GH6 would be a really good upgrade. But it's also more expensive and a bit bigger in size. So if you are happy to pay for that, i would suggest go to a shop and pick one up and see if you arae happy with the size. if you are ok with the size (and price) then the GH6 is a huge upgrade. Otherwise GH5Mk2 is still a very good upgrade compare to your G90

[@lovefirst6157]

Is the vlog improved like on the bgh1 with 1 stop extra dynamic range in the highlights

[@TheRealRichardWong]

There are some mention in the info i received about increased dynamic range in highlight, I'm not exactly sure what that mean and I haven't found any real difference in the very limited tests I have done so far.

[@cars291]

I think this to be an excellent video and the pre-order options for this camera are tempting to me. I am considering it as an upgrade to my G95/G90.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

it would be a great upgrade to your G95

[@funclampproductionsltd7109]

Great video Richard, but how do you actually shoot in slow motion on this camera? There are no 4K 10 bit variable frame rate options at all in the menu? Only a 60p option which means the footage isn’t conformed in camera?

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thanks!! From memory there is no 10bit 4k option for VFR video

[@funclampproductionsltd7109]

@@TheRealRichardWong thanks man!

[@zakcole2229]

Great video Richard, as usual. I still have the GH4 which I love but replaced with my Nikon Z6ii. Sadly I beat it up so much the re-sale value is so low it is pointless selling it. I also still have my LUMIX Vario 12-35 2.8 lens which I find phenomenal. So, assuming many people upgrade to the GH5 II or GH6, I may pick up a second-hand GH5 if the price is attractive enough :) It is still an incredible camera!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Hey Zak yes the gh5 is still great camera!! Especially if you can pick up one at bargain price. Btw I think lots of people will upgrade to the gh6 from their gh5 !! 🤫

[@straightxedging]

This is a great review! Thank you! How do you think would do with video of sports?

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Video quality is great. However autofocus may not be the best for fastest action. so it really depends on what you want to film.

[@straightxedging]

@@TheRealRichardWong would film water polo. Mostly indoors.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Oh right, indoor always adds a bit of challenge because of the amount of light. But assuming the shots are mostly wide angle instead of extreme close up of individual players I feel it should be fine

[@straightxedging]

@@TheRealRichardWong Thank you! So much appreciate the feedback!!

[@ExploringWorldYouTube]

Hi Richard, your video are the best, thanks to share them. I need a suggestion from you please. I take ONLY documentaries in 4K about daily life of indogenous peoples in remote areas (Africa, South America, etc.) and I need to use continuous AF very often and I shoot freehand without tripod and without gimbal. In your opinion is it better to buy and use a Lumix GH5 MKII (with Leica 12-60) or Sony A7 IV (with its basic zoom)? What is your thought please? THANK YOU.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

I feel they both would be good. Panasonic has much better IBIS and smaller lenses but Sony definiitely has better continuous autofocus. Having said that, Panasonic's latest autofocus is better than what a lot of people thought and definitely good enough for most conditions

[@ExploringWorldYouTube]

@@TheRealRichardWong THANKS A LOT!!! But maybe do I have to shoot at 4K 50p instead of 25p to get a better continous AF with GH5 MKII. Is it right? Then ... in your opinion which color profile is it better to use, beside VLOG, in the hot Africa shooting people with dark skin? Thanks again.

[@Interceptor121]

Thanks for the very informative video. I am quite impressed by the AR coating. Have you had the chance to try some backlit or challenging landscape shots to see how it works on the field? Also the shutter box seems to indicate you can now have eshutter up to 60 seconds for timelapse which is great. Can you confirm? And what about live composite?

[@TheRealRichardWong]

yes. and actually you can go longer than 60sec if you go to bulb mode :) Live composite is coming as part of next FW update (i mentioned in my "Firmware" part in this video) No didn't actually have chance to shoot much challenging landscape. I planned to go shoot some sunset landscape last weekend but both days were cloudy/rainy so didn't have any other chance to do that

[@Interceptor121]

@@TheRealRichardWong Yes I wondered if you had insight on when in 2021 this update was coming as I am keeping another camera just for that feature! keep up the great work

[@TheRealRichardWong]

No sorry, i really haven't heard anything. I would imagine it's at least a few months away. i wouldn't expect anything before August. But this is PURELY my guess.

[@Interceptor121]

@@TheRealRichardWong thank you and for your great content!

[@iSpike]

Brilliant ✨✨✨👌🏻

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thank you ! :)

[@murph6547]

Hi rechard, late to the party, but i have question, planning to buy gh5 ii for travel videos, how is cinelike d2 colors ? Specially skintones

[@TheRealRichardWong]

hi there, sorry I haven't shoot with cinelike d2 that much myself so can't comment. I usually shoot in v-log

[@murph6547]

@@TheRealRichardWong ok thanks,

[@artistjoh]

Excellent video as always, Richard. I am watching now (December 2022) because I finally ordered the GH5 M2 a few days ago. I guess that answers the question about whether people will still be buying it after the GH6 comes out. For me it is partly price, but mostly it is the features that the GH6 does not have such as live streaming and 4K/6K photo. They are different cameras and the GH5 M2 remains an excellent choice for many of us. Snow the GH5 M2 moves up to be my video A Cam, although the G9 will remain my stills A Cam. The two cameras will support each other very well I am sure.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

hey @artistjoh, thanks for watching. yes there is a big price difference between GH5II and 6.. and also difference like features, size so while GH6 is higher spec overall, for a lot of people the GH5II is the better choice.

[@nosecondlost]

Agree! The GH5 is a powerhouse - in whatever version it is used! GH5 is legend and the GH5II is such a fantastic MFT camera - especially for the price. And the GH5S is still one of the best cameras for video on the market - the price is now at r.a. €1.400,00!!! The GH6 is great but still has some problems - and it is loaded with so many spec's only professionals will need. It is bigger and heavier and the price is significantly higher. For me the GH5II is a much better choice than f.e. the G9 or cameras from other brands, like from Olympus or even Fuji, and for just €100,00 more I can get the GH5S, that offers so much more than I really need. For me and the next years I will not change - and the only model I am really thinking of is the S5. This is something I am looking forward to. Thank you for your video.

[@ProcessedDigitally]

Nice review! 23:28 What slider is this?

[@TheRealRichardWong]

That's the @Zeapon Tech Micro 2 plus slider: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5Omc6Z8p62bpc0

[@ProcessedDigitally]

@@TheRealRichardWong thanks. Will check it out.

[@starmatt3222]

Hello Rich, nice GH5 II review! New subbie here! I'm planning to get this one! 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thank you for the sub!!!

[@dylanfgarrison]

Great video! Just got my GH5ii. I needed a back up to my GH5 and although I have a G9 I hate it for video (and photos as well… the shutter button is waaaaay to sensitive!). Looking forward to getting the GH6 when it finally arrives as well! 4K 10bit 120p here I come!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Yes agree the g9 shutter is really quite sensitive! Oh yes I am really looking forward to the gh6 too

[@aerovideos]

I m lost about which one to buy : G9 New firmware or GH5M2 ? Thanks for advices...

[@TheRealRichardWong]

If your primary focus is photos, the G9 is great! if you shoot quite a bit of GH5II, then the unlimited recording in all modes alone is worth considering this over the G9

[@zenonbillings9008]

very interesting lens. i am a panasonic micro 4 thirds shooter so this lens appeals to me. i totally agree with you about having a "clicky " aperture ring, it's why i absolutely love the panasonic leica 15mm f I.7 lens. i really,really wish the panasonic leica 25 mm f1.4 lens had a " clicky " aperture ring, then it would be an absolutely perfect lens !....zen billings in canada

[@minorrhoads5318]

Thanks Richard

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thank you for watching :)

[@minorrhoads5318]

@@TheRealRichardWong 👍 cheers for reply .

[@joakimtollerud2172]

Richard, now that's it been a while would you recommend this camera instead of the GH6? I can get a very good deal on the MK2 that more than half the prize of the GH 6 here in Sweden.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

hi Joakim, i think it really depends on if you need the features available on the GH6, like 4k120 video, handheld high resolution photo mode, USB SSD recording, prores internal recording..etc. or do you prefer the smaller size of the GH5II and the livestream feature that is not available on the GH6? If you don't really need the new features available on the GH6, then i would save some money and go for GH5II.

[@joakimtollerud2172]

@@TheRealRichardWong thx! I think I will stick with the MK2 since I'm only a hobbyist and maybe get the GH6 later on when the prize is down. This was a great review really, as many of your reviews are.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

not a bad choice at all. enjoy your GH5II!

[@yawshotthis]

Mark ii is fire!!

[@ericmuijs1938]

Questions I have regarding the GH5 mk2: 1) Is there a difference in processor between the G9 and GH5 mk2? 2) Does the G9 have the same DR / noise performance and IBIS as GH5 mk 2? 3) DPreview mentioned that at 24p, the AF system works at 48fps. Do you know how this works?

[@TheRealRichardWong]

hi Eric, 1. No difference. Same processor (hardware) 2. I was not given any data about it. but most likely very similar. 3. It was not mentioned at all in any of the material I received from Panasonic. (and there are some huge PDF files)

[@ericmuijs1938]

@@TheRealRichardWong Thanks a lot Richard!

[@uhu4677]

I wait for the GX10! 🤩 No seriously ... I really hope, Panasonic will make a new light-weight body with great ergonomics and 4K60fps. That's all I am waiting for to go all in on MFT.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

I would like too. unfortunately, small body + 4k60 = overheat, also not enough room for all the required hardware that's why all the smaller Panasonic (and other brands) bodies so far has cropped 4k and no 4k60. But let's see :)

[@uhu4677]

@@TheRealRichardWong Smartphones and GoPro do it for a looong time now. It is not that hard to do.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

@@uhu4677 That's a good point! I don't know the reason why, but i'm guess the sensor size and the data bit rate of the output footage may have something to do? Just a thought, seeing pretty much all the major camera companies are still struggling to put 4k60 onto their cameras.

[@A1Bokeh]

They need to revamp the gx8 body with newer tech

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Ohhh i love the gx8

[@55whiplash]

I wonder if the GH5II is better than the G9 for autofocus and wildlife photography and video.

[@YamilIsaac]

What do you think about the S5 vs the GH5ii for video?

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Each has its pros and cons. S5 has better high iso, if you are ok with shallow dof. Gh5ii has more high end features, live streaming and unlimited 4k60, no cropping ..etc so it's really what is most important to you

[@YamilIsaac]

Thanks for the information! Greetings from Argentina! If you have some time I invite you to check out my music in my channel.

[@ZEAPONTech]

as always!👍👍

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Hey thanks zeapon!!

[@ZEAPONTech]

@@TheRealRichardWong 💖

[@cinematicfilmsstudio8675]

Hello, where is „extrenal teleconverter” function ? In GH5 it was possibility to use ex teleconverter in movies…..why GH5m2 dosent have

[@MrRaychard123]

since the GH5 ii has a new processor, does it improved the iso performance?

[@TheRealRichardWong]

It doesn't have new hardware processor, Gh6 will have. But Panasonic has got new firmware so it seems there is some small improvement in high ISO. Check the Image quality session of this video for a comparison example

[@castielvargastv7931]

@@TheRealRichardWong i saw in a different review that the gh5 2 has indeed a new processor. The sensor is the same the cpu is new

[@TheRealRichardWong]

I have double check with panasonic and confirmed there is no new processor. But a new processor (and sensor) is coming with the GH6.

[@KallusGarnet]

@@castielvargastv7931 it uses better software processing the Venus engine which is the same on the S5.

[@KwasnikPictures]

Woohoo letsgooo! Can't wait to check out that GH6 aye. 4k 120 😍

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Yes can't wait!! I know some people will be disappointed there is no 8K.. but i think 4k120 is much more logical than forcing a 8k sensor and extra processing on a m43 camera with the current technology

[@chinitopinoy1726]

@@TheRealRichardWong you think there might be 1080P 960FPS in short burst?

[@carriagel8773]

any improvement in ISO compared to GH5?

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Nothing really noticeable

[@Alexrocks1253]

What is a better deal? The LUMIX S5 and GH5ii are the same price right now so which one would be better for filmmaking?

[@TheRealRichardWong]

GH5II for more serious filmmaking as it provides a lot more professional features than the S5. However S5 has the benefit of large sensor

[@Alexrocks1253]

@@TheRealRichardWong that is true. Given that the GH5ii, a standard zoom, and a telephoto would cost the same as an a7SIII and that I have Sony lenses should I go with it, or the Sony, or even the upcoming gh6? I don’t really like the Sony’s lack of C4k and 4:3 anamorphic shooting and bad stabilization but that lowlight and autofocus looks amazing!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

I would say use the time to save up and wait for the gh6.. at least wait and see what it's like. The gh6 price will be higher than gh5II but it will have brand new processor, brand new sensor, 4k120, unlimited recording in a lot of modes (or maybe all,?) and a lot more features. So save up and wait and see if you are not in hurry

[@Alexrocks1253]

@@TheRealRichardWong I’ll wait and take a look. If the GH6 doesn’t meet expectations then I’ll probably go with what I know and get the GH5ii, saving some money. Thanks for the tips Richard!

[@PolluxChung]

I will wait for the 6. Mainly because I already am using a 5. Only reason I will get the 5II is if my 5 breaks down anytime between now and the release of 6 and need a camera immediately for work.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Yes fair enough. If you have a gh5, wait and upgrade to gh6 makes more sense if that fits your budget.

[@nefflz]

Very helpful. Will probably go wirh the gh5 ii instead of the gh6 to save $

[@shtrudel-pu1cm]

the best !

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thank you!! :D

[@castielvargastv7931]

The update is much more nice than it looks at the first glance. They changed a lot of the things i wished it was better in the gh5 . 4k60 in 10 bit is a big one compared to the 8 bit in gh5 1. vlog is much more usuable that way

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Yes indeed... While it is still an update model rather than a complete refresh, there is actually quite a lot of changes some really nice changes too

[@carriagel8773]

if panasonic release a camera with sensor from gh5s with dual native iso and with ibis, but price like gh5ii, it could be game changer

[@TheRealRichardWong]

yes that would be very cool!

[@lovefirst6157]

As fast as always

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thanks Love!

[@BarryMaskell]

Stabilisation - Even my G85 with dual OIS is still amazing today

[@A1Bokeh]

Dang rich you got the inside exclusive

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thanks Bro! Hey is "Ali" your real name? or it's your undercover name?

[@A1Bokeh]

@@TheRealRichardWong haha ya man

[@rendermanpro]

S5 price is about GH5 II, and GH6 price is like S1.... Very questionable. And not much difference to concurrent products.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

S5 vs gh5II. I feel each has its pros and cons.. s5 obviously is it's Large full frame sensor and benefits from it. And gh5II has better ibis, full size HDMI port, unlimited recording in all modes and some higher and smaller lenses

[@gcprost]

I have two of the original GH5s and I just picked up the GH5 Mk2. The improved auto focus is the stand out feature for me.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Enjoy Gerald!