Hi there,

I'm considering upgrading my gear, now days i use C100mkii. Most of my work is for Broadcast. Usually i don't interfere the natural scenery so no external lights used.

The GH5s might be the camera for me. Can someone enlighten me with the real capabilities of the low-light by GH5s?

So is the sound recording via XLR? Is it reliable?

Batteries, how long will they last. I'm using a Rode NTG-3 with Phantom 48/24 v. So considering all that.
I need at least 6-7 hours of work.

Good luck,
Thanks

I never timed my gh5 battery use but it feels like it goes twice as fast through it's batteries compared to my gh4, I found this test which comfirmed my feeling: GH5 GH5 Battery Run-Down Tests... (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?354934-GH5-Battery-Run-Down-Tests)

If you use the xlr adaptor and if it has to supply your mike with phantompower expect it to drain much faster but I would expect you'd still get at least an hour min out of one battery depending if you use IBIS.

The xlr adapter is made for the gh5 so I'd expect it to be reliable.

There are already several lowlight videos online which could help to determine how the low light is, from what I have seen it retains color much better at high iso (3200iso+) compared to the gh5 and seems to be on par with a sony a6500 in low light performance.

Be careful with using the XLR adapter for extended shoots where the files have to be split. Panasonic has been notorious for not splitting files with gapless audio. There will be a 1 second audio gap between split files.

That's the first I hear about that, is that related to when using the xlr adapter only? and is it caused during relayrecording?

edit: I found this thread about the xlr adapter as Ron Evans has one which he uses for long continuous recording and he seems to have no issue with 1 second audiogaps, not even with relay recording, so I'm curious where you are getting your info from?: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/panasonic-lumix-g-gf-gh-gx-series/534357-audio-problem-gh5.html

Past experience with Panasonic cameras have always had this issue. It's not XLR adapter specific, it's to do with how the camera splits takes.

Be careful with using the XLR adapter for extended shoots where the files have to be split. Panasonic has been notorious for not splitting files with gapless audio. There will be a 1 second audio gap between split files.
This is a non-issue for the GH5 and even for cameras before this. Actually I have never even heard of this problem.

The problem is not using Media Browser in Premiere to import clips, nothing to do with the camera, and only with AVCHD modes.

Past experience with Panasonic cameras have always had this issue. It's not XLR adapter specific, it's to do with how the camera splits takes.

You are not importing the files right, not sure what NLE you use but when I use Edius own source browser and import avchd files from a longer continuous record (which are split into different files) then Edius stiches these split files together without the loss of any audioframe.

I remember there was once this sort of gap issue but I think it was due to how windows interpreted split files on smaller sd cards that used fat 32 instead of exfat. You had to concatenate them in the dos.

This issue was true of most AVCHD cameras if people just pulled the files off the cards rather than using a proper transfer software. Consumer camcorders did not sync recording of audio and video so when files split with FAT32 ( all AVCHD ) then the data for this difference was in the metadata files. So if someone just moved the video files over they would be in error. I never had any of these problems as I always used the manufacturers software to transfer files. Didn't take any longer as the transfer time is more dependent on the card etc.

The GH5 files are formatted exFAT so do not split unless one has a long record time and transfer from card 1 to card 2. In this case the camera closes the files correctly and there is no problem. The only audio issue with Panasonic is that audio starts about 7 frames after the video. It is in sync just starts late !!!

I remember there was once this sort of gap issue but I think it was due to how windows interpreted split files on smaller sd cards that used fat 32 instead of exfat. You had to concatenate them in the dos.

Don't ever do this.

This my understanding of sync issues. Consumer cameras do not generally have their video and audio clocks locked together. They tend to float within the spec. Their specs are usually something like if the audio is within 1/3 of a frame for the corresponding video it is fine !!! . So one can now see the problem when video is the controlling parameter the audio for the last ( or first ) frame of video could be part of another file. Depending on how the files are closed one can have an extra piece of audio or lack of audio !!! Just joining them together in dos often leads to audio glitches. The manufacturers, or some NLE software reads this metadata and joins files correctly.

Guys, thank you for your comments. But i was also asking about the details in the shadows of the GH5s.

Please who ever had an experience in the online process please comments and share your thoughts, i really need a real world opinion.

The GH5S has VlogL installed so with that you can get all the detail in the shadows you want. Of course this means grading to get back to rec709. I sense my GH5S is maybe 2 stops faster than my GH5 so to get that detail in the shadows one has to be careful to not clip highlights. Plenty of profiles to do that. For my theatre shoots I tried GH5S with VlogL and the GH5 with Like709 profile. They match close when GH5S is graded. I think I will not bother with VlogL for my application and just run both at Like709. Like709 is likely the smallest Dynamic Range but has knee control just like other camcorders to control highlights. This is the issue in the theatre with mainly dark scenes but spot highlights.

I dont have my GH5 in front of me but make sure to check the "master pedestal" setting.

On mine the default was pretty low making blacks look crushed. I raised it to put blacks at around zero. This doesn't change what the sensor is actually "seeing" but it does change where the shadows are placed in the scopes. It has a strong affect on the "look" of your shadows.

Play with it and tell me what you think.

CT

interested in this camera or the A7III. But the sony doesn't has 4k 50p (60p)

I like to slow down my 50p footage in post.

the A7iii is "much" better in low light because it's fullframe but the GH5S does a very good job with it's m4/3 sensor. I saw it on a video on youtube.

I have a sony FS100 and A6000. is the low light of the GH5S as good of these 2?

Because I don't have lenses for a panasonic it looked and the price for fast primes is not too expensive.
probably due it's m4/3 mount and cheaper than aps-c and full frame?

I also have don't have full frame lenses from sony :)

So what our your experiences so far with the GH5S? There is less to find about it on this forum.

The gh5s is more sensitive in low light then you ever would need and it can see more in the dark then you can with your own eyes.

I have shot a few weddings with it now of which some where candle light venues only, I also shot outside in the dark when people where sitting at tables that only had tealights and anyone claiming that this camera is not sensitive enough is doing something wrong.

There are several differences between the gh5s and the a7III (just compare specs and it's easy enough to see) but one thing you need to consider is the cost of good lenses, top end sony lenses are at least twice as expensive as the best native m4/3 glass so depending on your budget and expectations that is something to consider.
Just to give an example, I have a 40-150mm f2.8 lens from Olympus which was 1250euro, in fullframe this would be a 80-300mm f2.8 lens which doesn't even exist and if it would you can be sure it would cost over 3000euro.

The biggest difference on the a7III is the sensor size and it will be much easier to achieve a shallow dof but that doesn't mean you can't get shallow dof shots on a gh5s, there are several f1.2 lenses, either native or by using a speedbooster which easily can blur our backgrounds.

The gh5s achillesheel is autofocus, if that matters to you then for sure get the a7III, the gh5s lacks ibis, if that matters to you then also get the a7III or if you need even better stabilisation get the gh5, no dslr type camera out there can match the gh5 stabilisation, especially not when they added "is lock" in the latest firmware.

If you always shoot in moonlight then the a7III will be cleaner at very high iso.

If you shoot long events that last over 30 min get the gh5s, same if you need 4K 50p.

If you have enough money get both. :)

The list goes on but there are enough comparison videos on YouTube.

I never timed my gh5 battery use but it feels like it goes twice as fast through it's batteries compared to my gh4, I found this test which comfirmed my feeling: GH5 GH5 Battery Run-Down Tests... (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?354934-GH5-Battery-Run-Down-Tests)


that only applies to the GH5 with IBIS, the GH5s is much closer to the gh4 in battery use

Yes, that’s right, batteryusage is very different between the 2 camera’s, I have not timed it either but I think I could record 2 one hour ceremonies on the gh5s and still have batterypower left.

the A7iii is "much" better in low light because it's fullframe but the GH5S does a very good job with it's m4/3 sensor.


A7iii is not better than GH5S at equivalent DOF, and then there is the option to use speedbooster, so you really approach FF on all levels, DOF nearly as shallow and low light equivalence at all apertures and DOF.

Like Noa I shoot weddings with GH5S and the low light is amazing, and the envy of the other videographers who can't resist peeking at the image on the articulated screen.

Receptions are always dark, and the other videographers have sometimes just given up shooting, throw in the towel in some instances, pack it up and leave, or use lights. Lights make things better no matter what you're shooting with, so I'll set up LCD panels with a remote control I can switch them on for the toasts and first dances, but if you leave them on you offend the DJ or band who run their own colored lights, or you won't get people on the dance floor with key lighting unless used selectively.

The gh5s is more sensitive in low light then you ever would need and it can see more in the dark then you can with your own eyes.

I have shot a few weddings with it now of which some where candle light venues only, I also shot outside in the dark when people where sitting at tables that only had tealights and anyone claiming that this camera is not sensitive enough is doing something wrong.

There are several differences between the gh5s and the a7III (just compare specs and it's easy enough to see) but one thing you need to consider is the cost of good lenses, top end sony lenses are at least twice as expensive as the best native m4/3 glass so depending on your budget and expectations that is something to consider.
Just to give an example, I have a 40-150mm f2.8 lens from Olympus which was 1250euro, in fullframe this would be a 80-300mm f2.8 lens which doesn't even exist and if it would you can be sure it would cost over 3000euro.

The biggest difference on the a7III is the sensor size and it will be much easier to achieve a shallow dof but that doesn't mean you can't get shallow dof shots on a gh5s, there are several f1.2 lenses, either native or by using a speedbooster which easily can blur our backgrounds.

The gh5s achillesheel is autofocus, if that matters to you then for sure get the a7III, the gh5s lacks ibis, if that matters to you then also get the a7III or if you need even better stabilisation get the gh5, no dslr type camera out there can match the gh5 stabilisation, especially not when they added "is lock" in the latest firmware.

If you always shoot in moonlight then the a7III will be cleaner at very high iso.

If you shoot long events that last over 30 min get the gh5s, same if you need 4K 50p.

If you have enough money get both. :)

The list goes on but there are enough comparison videos on YouTube.


I normally selectively quote posts but this is all very true and relevant from Noa and covers about everything.

There is one other special lens worth mentioning in addition to the great 40-150 Olympus that Noa mentions, the PanLeica 42.5mm f1.2 Nocticron which is fairly unique in that it is a fast MFT prime that includes OIS, making it especially useful on the GH5s which otherwise has no IBIS, so you can shoot it handheld with lovely portrait framing, shallow DOP and excellent low light ability, and also good for static safety shots from a tripod while I'm on the move with the standard GH5.

Anyway, with all the new cameras released or on the horizon, I think interest in the GH5/GH5S takes a back seat but they certainly earned their keep during the past year while the others were on the drawing board.

The gh5s is more sensitive in low light then you ever would need and it can see more in the dark then you can with your own eyes.

I have shot a few weddings with it now of which some where candle light venues only, I also shot outside in the dark when people where sitting at tables that only had tealights and anyone claiming that this camera is not sensitive enough is doing something wrong.

There are several differences between the gh5s and the a7III (just compare specs and it's easy enough to see) but one thing you need to consider is the cost of good lenses, top end sony lenses are at least twice as expensive as the best native m4/3 glass so depending on your budget and expectations that is something to consider.
Just to give an example, I have a 40-150mm f2.8 lens from Olympus which was 1250euro, in fullframe this would be a 80-300mm f2.8 lens which doesn't even exist and if it would you can be sure it would cost over 3000euro.

The biggest difference on the a7III is the sensor size and it will be much easier to achieve a shallow dof but that doesn't mean you can't get shallow dof shots on a gh5s, there are several f1.2 lenses, either native or by using a speedbooster which easily can blur our backgrounds.

The gh5s achillesheel is autofocus, if that matters to you then for sure get the a7III, the gh5s lacks ibis, if that matters to you then also get the a7III or if you need even better stabilisation get the gh5, no dslr type camera out there can match the gh5 stabilisation, especially not when they added "is lock" in the latest firmware.

If you always shoot in moonlight then the a7III will be cleaner at very high iso.

If you shoot long events that last over 30 min get the gh5s, same if you need 4K 50p.

If you have enough money get both. :)

The list goes on but there are enough comparison videos on YouTube.

thx Noa for your answer! I will first wait what sony will announce these days. but you are right about the more expensive lenses for apsc-/fullframe.

You do have some decent priced lenses for sony like the sony 85mm f1.8 or the samyang 35mm f1.4, both can be used to autofocus, are optically good and are around 600euro, tamron also makes full frame lenses half the price of a premium sony lenses, the expensive sony lenses are better optically but not twice as good, with tamron there is a lot of plastic used and it feels cheaper but if you are on a budget these are also good options.